Jack W. Coleman

This fall, the Cal State Fullerton business college community is mourning the loss of Professor Emeritus of Accounting Jack W. Coleman, former business school dean and former vice president for academic affairs. Coleman died on Aug. 24 at age 97.

From 1968 to 1979, Coleman led the School of Business and Economics, as it was named at the time, while serving as a professor of accounting. During his tenure, Cal State Fullerton officially became a university, with the business school as one of its colleges. By the time he left office, the school had about 5,000 students and was increasing in diversity and impact.

While Coleman was dean, the business school moved to Langsdorf Hall, where it would remain until relocating to the new state-of-the-art Steven G. Mihaylo Hall in 2008.

After briefly serving as executive vice president at San Jose State University, Coleman returned to Cal State Fullerton’s business college in 1982, and ultimately served as CSUF’s vice president for academic affairs from 1985 until his retirement in 1991.

Coleman’s impact spanned many spheres and sectors: He was active in the community, including service on school boards and chambers of commerce; he was also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force in the European front of World War II and a postwar hurricane hunting pilot. Read more about him in this CSUF News article.