Lassar led the School of Accountancy since 2010
Sharon Lassar
Sharon Lassar, a champion of global business education, architect of lasting partnerships, community builder, and the force behind the School of Accountancy’s (SoA) rise to prominence, died Thursday evening.
Lassar served as the John J. Gilbert Endowed Professor and longtime director of the Daniels College of Business School of Accountancy—a transformative 15-year tenure that brought impactful changes to the Daniels curriculum and its students.
“Sharon was an extraordinary leader, educator and human being,” said Naomi Boyd, dean of the Daniels College of Business. “Her unwavering dedication to her students, her profession and the Daniels community shaped the School of Accountancy into the nationally respected program it is today. With a rare combination of brilliance, compassion and integrity, she inspired generations of students to pursue excellence in accounting, uphold the highest ethical standards and lead with purpose.”
One of the Daniels College of Business’ greatest champions, Lassar fundamentally altered the way accounting was taught. In her very first week on the job, Lassar worked with the Colorado State Board of Accountancy to better align its credit-hour education requirement with DU’s quarter system.
From there, she set out to strengthen the SoA’s academic core. Lassar was not afraid to modernize and innovate the accounting pedagogy, integrating new technology and ensuring courses taught relevant professional skills. The evaluative AACSB accreditation infrastructure became more durable under her leadership.
Plus, she brought in the faculty who would cement her vision. All but one of the SoA’s current faculty were hired on her watch, attracted by Lassar’s commitment to a model that balanced research productivity and quality classroom teaching.
“Sharon’s incredible work ethic and dedication to her students set the tone for the School of Accountancy,” said Lorenzo Patelli, an accounting professor and senior associate dean. “She built a strong, focused department that cared about its community, from its students to its alumni to its faculty. I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am professionally without her.”
Lassar grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia. Work defined her life from an early age, she would say, beginning with a job babysitting two younger children when she was 12. She received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from West Virigina University, a master’s in taxation from Bentley University and a PhD from the University of Southern California.
She began her professional career at the University of Arizona, before taking roles at Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University. At the latter, she served as director of the School of Accounting, drawing upon her values of integrity, deep learning, inspired inquiry and high accountability.
Over the course of her career, Lassar became known for her ability to improve industry culture and advocate for the underrepresented and disadvantaged. In a role with the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Lassar directed initiatives to improve financial literacy and develop female leadership. She also served as minority issues chair of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel.
“Dr. Sharon Lassar is one of the most remarkable professors I have ever had the honor of knowing,” Stanislav Jansta, a former student at FIU, wrote in a LinkedIn recommendation. “[She] teaches in extremely professional matter, but more importantly, she is genuinely dedicated to her students, faculty, and accounting profession. I can honestly state that Dr. Lassar’s devotion to her work goes far deeper than any other I have seen.”
At the University of Denver, she orchestrated an annual clinic to help low-income individuals file their taxes and outreach programs to local schools. The creation of a STEM-designated Master of Science in Accounting, Technology and Analytics opened the doors to a broad, international applicant pool by increasing opportunities for certain F-1 visas.
Perhaps more than anything, Lassar will be remembered as a great connector, whose kindness and generosity brought people together. She prioritized building and rebuilding relationships nationwide, traveling extensively to reconnect alumni with their alma mater. And she worked closely with national and local accounting firms to forge professional partnerships and establish new, named scholarships.
In her honor, DU honorary life trustee and Accountancy Advisory Board member Margot Gilbert Frank has renamed the John J. Gilbert Endowed Scholarship to pay tribute to the woman who meant so much to so many. The Sharon Lassar Endowed Scholarship Fund will support undergraduate accounting students with need-based and merit-based financial aid.
“Sharon is an exceptional leader and scholar. It is with great joy that I am rolling over this family scholarship to be renamed in her honor,” Gilbert Frank said. “Sharon elevated the accountancy program. She worked hard to recruit the brightest local area students from underserved areas. She mentored so many students so they could be successful. With additional donations to this scholarship fund, DU will be able to offer a more sizable scholarship to deserving students in the years ahead.”