In Memoriam: Dr. Kathie J. Shaffer

Aug 30, 2022 12:00 AM

Kathie Shaffer

With immense shock and sadness, the College of Business lost a cherished colleague, Dr. Kathie Shaffer, on the evening of Tuesday. March 1, 2022.

Since joining FSU in 1987, Dr. Shaffer served the Department of Accounting, the College of Business, and this institution with her signature excellence, passion, and dedication. As an educator, Kathie devoted her professional life to educating and mentoring students in all her classes at both graduate and undergraduate levels, and in the Accounting program, in general. From her early days at the institution, Kathie immersed herself into the life of the campus and she will be dearly missed.

Kathie was an alumnus receiving her bachelor’s degree in accounting and her Master of Business Administration degree from FSU. Her doctorate was in management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Kathie was a Certified Management Accountant and over the years consulted for Booz Allen, Domino Sugar, and other companies. We could write at great length about how she used her knowledge to help equip students for the ‘real world.’ We could write even more about how she made it her mission to help students achieve academically and professionally. Nevertheless, we will just want to emphasize a few of the most salient points:

  • Kathie served in many capacities over the years for the university. She was Chair of Faculty Senate in 1994-1998, College of Business Graduation Marshall from 2011 – 2016, and Chair of the Accounting department from 2013 – 2021.
  • She contributed greatly to numerous College of Business committees including curriculum committee, faculty development committee, and student and alumni committee.
  • Kathie published in many regionally - and nationally peer-reviewed journals, often helping and mentoring colleagues new to the research process as well.

Kathie was intelligent, self-motivated, goal-oriented, collegial, student-focused, a tireless worker, and committed to excellence and quality in all aspects of her life. 

In sum, Dr. Kathie J. Shaffer was not only a flagship representative of the accounting profession and all its expectations, but a proud faculty member and alumnus of FSU. Kathie held high standards for students, faculty, and staff alike. She was the “go-to” person that had decades of institutional and professional knowledge that she was always willing to impart when needed.  

She will be greatly missed by all who have worked with her and by the students and faculty she has taught and mentored over her long career. Her efforts have undoubtedly helped create and nurture a high-quality accounting program at FSU.