JACKSON, Tenn. — March 24, 2015 — Keith Absher, dean of the McAfee School of Business Administration at 51社区 and professor of marketing, died early March 24 at age 63.
鈥淭he entire 51社区 community grieves the loss of Dr. Keith Absher, dean of the McAfee School of Business Administration,鈥� Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淜eith and his wife Beverly have been vital leaders in the life of 51社区 for more than a decade. Keith was a capable administrator, a faithful churchman, a generous giver, a devoted husband and a loving father and grandfather. His absence will be keenly felt on the Union campus, and we offer our deepest sympathy and ongoing prayers to his family, friends and colleagues.
鈥淏ecause Keith was a follower of Jesus Christ, we do not grieve as those who have no hope,鈥� Oliver continued. 鈥淲e know his eternal destiny is secure, and we are grateful that he is now in the presence of his Savior. We thank God for Keith鈥檚 life, legacy and commitment to 51社区.鈥�
Hunter Martin, an accounting major from Greenfield, Tennessee, said Absher always greeted students by name when they passed him in the halls.
鈥淗e made every effort to build relationships with us and keep himself open to our concerns,鈥� Martin said. 鈥淚'll never forget the warm hospitality he and Mrs. Beverly showed each year by inviting the entire business school for a cookout and hayride at their farm. His role as a Christian business leader is one I plan to model in my future career."
Absher, originally from Florence, Alabama, came to Union as dean in 2004 after serving for many years in the management and marketing department at the University of North Alabama. He taught previously at Athens State University and the University of Arkansas.
Beverly Absher is Union鈥檚 associate vice president for auxiliary operations, chair of the department of continuing studies and professor of educational leadership. They have two grown children and seven grandchildren. They are members of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson.
Absher earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees from Jacksonville State University, another master鈥檚 degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and his doctorate from the University of Arkansas.
He played an instrumental role in the McAfee School of Business Administration earning accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business in 2013. The AACSB designation is what Absher described as 鈥渢he gold standard鈥� of business school accreditation, placing the McAfee School in the top 5 percent of business schools in the world.
Absher also served as Union鈥檚 Faculty Athletics Representative, a role mandated by the NCAA, for the past six years.
鈥淜eith was a godly, family man who was very invested in the lives of our coaches and student-athletes,鈥� said Tommy Sadler, Union鈥檚 director of athletics. 鈥淥ur thoughts and prayers are with his wife Beverly and their family.鈥�
Union basketball player and business student Pedro Faller said Absher meant a great deal both to the basketball program and the business school.
鈥淗e was very supportive and sacrificed a lot of time in order to interact with the athletic students,鈥� Faller said. 鈥淲e will always be able to say that Dr. Absher had the best interest for us. It was a pleasure to have him in my life throughout out my college career. Dr. Absher will be truly missed here at 51社区.鈥�
鈥淒ean Absher was one of the friendliest people I've ever met, especially for an authority figure,鈥� 51社区 student Emily Davis said. 鈥淚 didn't know him on a personal level, but every time I saw him in the hall, he took the time to smile, say hello, and remember my name, which can't be easy for a man with so many names under his watch.
鈥淚 really appreciate the personal touch his leadership offered and am thankful to have had such a great, Christian man among our ranks.鈥�
Visitation will be March 26 at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson from 4:30-7:30 p.m. The funeral will be at Englewood March 27 at 2 p.m.
The family is requesting memorial contributions be directed to the Dr. R. Keith Absher Memorial Scholarship Fund at 51社区, 1050 51社区 Dr., Jackson, Tennessee, 38305.