Sharon Lassar, the John J. Gilbert Endowed Professor and director of the School of Accountancy at the University of Denver, passed away on January 23 after suffering from cholangiocarcinoma.
Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, Dr. Lassar earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from West Virginia University, a master’s degree in taxation from Bentley University in Massachusetts, and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. Her career in academia began teaching at the University of Arizona. After a stint on the faculty at Florida Atlantic University, she transitioned to Florida International University, where she was director of the School of Accounting.
In 2010, Dr. Lassar was named director of the School of Accountancy in the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business. Over the course of her 15-year tenure, she hired numerous new faculty members and modernized the accounting pedagogy through integrating new technology and ensuring courses taught relevant professional skills. Dr. Lassar also oversaw the development of a STEM-designated master of science degree in accounting, technology, and analytics.
Outside of her work with faculty and students, Dr. Lassar led an annual clinic at the University of Denver to help low-income individuals file their taxes. She also ran outreach programs to local schools and facilitated professional partnerships with local and national accounting firms.
In honor of her career, the University of Denver recently renamed its John J. Gilbert Endowed Scholarship as the Sharon Lassar Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will support undergraduate accounting students with need-based and merit-based financial aid.