The Institute began in 1995 as the Kenan Ethics Program in response to philanthropist Frank Hawkins Kenan’s concern about what he perceived to be an increasing lack of ethical standards in public affairs and in business life. Mr. Kenan, a former trustee of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, and then-Duke President Nannerl Keohane sought to establish a university-based ethics program that would permeate the life of the university and extend into the life of the community and nation. In 2001, the Kenan Ethics Program became the Kenan Institute for Ethics. Elizabeth Kiss served as the founding director from 1996 to 2006.  Noah Pickus was named as Kiss’ successor in July 2007.

Since its inception, the Institute has grown into one of the most active and respected ethics centers in the country.