Sybil C. Mobley, the founding dean of the School of Business and Industry at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, died on September 29 at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. She was 89 years old.
A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Dr. Mobley’s father was the founder of the Shreveport Sun and her mother was a teacher. She attended Bishop College in Texas. After graduation, in 1945, Dr. Mobley was hired as a secretary at Florida A&M. She later earned a master’s degree at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. at the University of Illinois.
Dr. Mobley joined the faculty at Florida A&M University and taught accounting. She was named chair of the business department in 1970 and in 1974 became the founding dean of the School of Business and Industry. She served in that role until her retirement in 2003.
Elmira Mangum, the current president of Florida A&M University, stated that “Dean Mobley was indeed a treasure to the University, and her passion, professionalism, and dedication to the success of our students have been felt across not only the campus but also the entire nation. The processes, procedures, and programs she put in place while serving as dean have been emulated around the world. The life she lived is an example of perseverance that will never be forgotten.”