The following is the July 24, 2023, message from Gene Anderson, Henry E. Haller Jr. Dean, to the Pitt Business community:
It is with deep sadness that I write to share news of the passing of one of the University’s most esteemed academic leaders. H.J. “Jerry” Zoffer, dean of Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business and College of Business Administration from 1968 to 1996 and a faculty member for 67 years, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Saturday, July 22, one day before his 93rd birthday.
Under Dean Zoffer’s remarkable leadership, the school advanced dramatically in terms of quality, impact, and reputation, establishing itself as one of the world’s leading business schools. Among his many contributions, Dean Zoffer led the reestablishment of the undergraduate program, the building of Mervis Hall, the launch of the Part-Time MBA and Executive MBA programs, and the creation of several new dual degree programs with other Pitt schools and colleges.
His vision extended internationally as well, initiating an innovative partnership in Budapest in the 1980’s that opened the door to the school’s Executive MBA Worldwide program. In 2016, the H.J. Zoffer Chair in Leadership and Ethics was established in honor of his long and distinguished service.
His influence extended far beyond the University of Pittsburgh. He served as president of the American Association of University Administrations and the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. He also served on the boards of a variety of business and community organizations.
Reflecting on Dean Zoffer’s leadership and impact, both personally and professionally, the following are thoughts from colleagues in the Pitt Business community who knew him well:
- Arjang Assad, Henry E. Haller Jr. Dean, 2015-22: “During his 28-year tenure, Jerry built one of the world’s strongest and most influential faculty groups in business ethics and corporate social responsibility. In the process, he put Pitt Business on the international map, taking us from a regionally recognized institution to one with global acclaim.”
- Vicky Hoffman, Professor of Business Administration and Barry Jay Epstein Faculty Fellow: “Jerry was a visionary leader who implemented initiatives we still value today. For example, Jerry was one of the first to actively recruit to Pitt’s MBA program Black students in the late 1960s and women in the early 1970s. He was instrumental in implementing the flagship one-year MBA program that had over 300 students in its heyday and was the force behind re-starting Pitt’s undergraduate College of Business Administration in the mid-1990s. After 28 years as dean, Jerry made the unusual move of going back to teaching, which he approached with the energy and enthusiasm he brought to everything he did. Jerry hired me to join the Pitt faculty in 1988 and I have always appreciated his warmth, friendliness, and the way he treated the faculty and staff as part of his extended family. Although I never saw Jerry rest in all the years I knew him, I hope he is now resting in peace.”
- Josephine Olson, Professor Emeritus of Business Administration: “Jerry was still a young, relatively new dean when he hired me in 1971. When I arrived, I could see that he had done much to recruit African American students, faculty, and staff, and in 1971 he began a strong commitment to recruit women students and faculty. He was dean for 25 of my 50+ years at Pitt Business and he did many things to make the school an exciting, challenging place to be.”
- Larry Feick, Interim Associate Dean, College of Business Administration: “Jerry was one of the most high energy and creative people that I’ve ever known. I was fortunate to serve as his associate dean from the late 1980s thru mid-1990s and that experience provided me with the skills and expertise to have an administrative career that I wouldn’t have had without his support. He was extraordinarily devoted to our faculty, staff, and students. He also had a very deep love for the University of Pittsburgh and our business school.”
- Dennis Galletta, Thomas H. O’Brien Professor of Information Systems, Director of Doctoral Programs: “Jerry was the dean who hired me back in 1985. He was always a hard-working, dedicated, and enthusiastic dean up to the day of his retirement. I will always appreciate his support over the years when we created and implemented our MS-MOIS curriculum, and for encouraging me to start taking summer terms ‘off’ so I could accelerate my research program.”
- Deborah Good, incoming Associate Dean for Undergraduate Business Education: “Jerry was the epitome of a dean because he cared so much about everyone who worked for and with him. He mentored everyone from faculty and staff to PhD students. As a PhD student many years ago, I represented Katz at the annual Academy of Management PhD Student Forum. Upon my acceptance, Jerry sought me out in my Mervis Hall PhD office to offer words of encouragement and extend a personal invitation to a Katz-only gathering held during the annual meeting. I can remember being so surprised that he would stop by a PhD’s office – and that he would know so much about my research for the program. Jerry made our school successful, and we will all miss him.”
- Carrie Leana, George H. Love Professor of Organizations and Management: “The one word to describe Jerry Zoffer is indomitable. He cared passionately about the Katz School and the University of Pittsburgh, and fought vigorously for its success, but always with that infectious grin and a twinkle in his eye. One just couldn’t say no to Jerry! He has had a lasting impact on my own life by luring me back to Pittsburgh to join the Katz faculty over two decades ago. I wish you a fond farewell, Jerry, with deep admiration and gratitude for all the possibilities you have created in this life.”
- Ray Jones, Clinical Professor of Business Administration: “I am thankful for the leadership that Jerry provided to our school and grateful for all of the time and effort he personally devoted to mentoring me. Shortly after he retired as dean, he chaired a faculty committee that hired me, and immediately stepped up to mentor me in the job. For many years, he was so generous with me in sharing his wealth of experience and in taking me to lunch (at his favorite lunch spot, the University Club!) or having me over to dinner. These were not ‘free’ meals, mind you, as he always came with a list of action items and concerns that he had about our work and my personal and professional development. We would usually sit for a few hours until we covered everything. There was one constant theme in all our meetings, which is that the good of the school and the good of the University always takes precedence over our individual concerns and interpersonal conflicts. While today is a sad day, I am also taking time to celebrate a lifetime of leadership and service. Thanks Jerry!”
- John Camillus, Donald R. Beall Professor of Strategic Management, Area Director for Organizations and Entrepreneurship: “Jerry Zoffer was my hero. To me he was an example of the highest type of leadership. His extraordinary humility and personal warmth were complemented by great courage, a brilliant intellect, and unparalleled clarity of vision. When I speak about leadership, I always refer to Jerry as the kind of leader businesses and institutions sorely need. I had the privilege of working closely with him and learning from him as he transformed Katz from a good school to a great school and also founded the College of Business Administration. He was a dear friend, a wise mentor, and a role model. I was blessed to know him. Rest in peace, Jerry.”
I invite you to join with me in extending the business school community’s deepest condolences to the Zoffer family.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday morning at Ralph Schugar Chapel in Shadyside. Details and the family’s obituary can be found here.
