KU News Release

Mark Hirschey

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little and William L. Fuerst, dean of the School of Business, issued the following statements today regarding the death of Mark Hirschey, the Anderson W. Chandler Professor of Business.

Gray-Little: “Mark Hirschey was an engaging and well-respected professor and a great asset to the University of Kansas. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, colleagues and former students at this time of loss. He will be missed.”

Fuerst: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Mark Hirschey. He had a profound influence on so many people through his teaching and his friendship. He had an engaging sense of humor and will be missed by so many people.”

Hirschey, 59, died July 18 in Pequot, Minn., of cancer. He had been a member of the faculty at the School of Business since 1988 and was named the Anderson W. Chandler Professor of Business in 2005.

In 1993, Hirschey began taking business students to the annual stockholder meeting of Berkshire Hathaway in Omaha, Neb. Beginning in 2005, Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett annually invited Hirschey and his class to Omaha for lunch and an opportunity to talk one-on-one with Buffett about investments. Thanks to Hirschey’s efforts, hundreds of KU students had the unique opportunity to attend the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting and meet personally with the famous investor.

Hirschey is survived by his wife, Christine Hauschel, and three children, Nicholas, Jessica and Sarah.

A scholarship fund for students at the School of Business has been established in Hirschey’s memory. Donations to the Mark Hirschey Scholarship may be made through KU Endowment's website or by contacting Shari Mohr, KU Endowment, (888) 653-6111.