On March 30, Tuck lost a core member of its family when Professor John Shank passed away in California. Shank came to Tuck in 1984 as Noble Professor of Managerial Accounting and Management Control, a chair endowed by Sam Noble, head of Noble Oil Co., with Shank in mind. He retired in 2004 but didn't slow down—he was still writing and teaching and had recently joined the board of directors of Lazard Ltd. Here are thoughts written about—and to—John Shank from former students and colleagues:
"Professor Shank had many sayings I enjoyed, the two most memorable of which were 'Marginal thinking leads to marginal results' and 'When does the long run start? The long run starts today.' The latter was the basis of the automobile license plate I had my second year, LR2DAY, which now hangs framed above my desk. John had the insight and courage to question unexamined and overextended beliefs and the burden of spreading his wisdom to those around him. His tactics were not universally loved by his students or colleagues. These things comprised his humanity for me, and I admire him greatly because I saw no small amount of myself in it. What I loved about John's teachings was that they were not merely principles of business administration; rather, they were principles of how to live. I can think of no higher honor to claim for a Tuck professor."
—Mark Permann T'00
"Though the news is very sad indeed, I find myself smiling just to think of him. He is the only professor who ever threw an eraser at me (to chastise me for intellectual laziness). I was grateful…to be the student of someone who always upheld high standards."
—Sandra L. Gherzi Pocharski T'89
"John Shank was a generous mentor, colleague, teacher, and friend to many of us in the Tuck community. We are saddened by his loss but remember the spirit with which he lived."
—Professor Paul Argenti
"I still use the 'cow' case [my favorite case taught by John Shank] to explain the complexity of strategic accounting...who should pay for feeding and slaughtering a cow? The butcher? Or the tanner?"
—Alastair Bor T'00
"To Professor Shank: We were fortunate to be in the last class you taught at Tuck.... While you took great pride in projecting your 'I-am-to-be-feared' image, we saw the softer, caring side of you. We did fear your cold calls (and you did call on us!), but we also saw it as a badge of honor of your confidence in us, and that meant a lot. So much that we don't remember ever working as hard as in preparing for your class—because we didn't want to disappoint you…. You were an amazing teacher who inspired us and taught us to look beyond the obvious, and for that we will always be grateful."
—Anu Codaty T'04 and Prat Verma T'04
"Dear John: The impact and influence you had on me is just as real today as when we started working together many years ago, and it will last my lifetime…. You wanted your students to share the same passion that you had, and you lit many fires for many people that they will pass along to others. Will they remember the details of strategic cost accounting? Probably not, but they will remember your zeal for it and your determination to use accounting to make the right decisions—to get to the truth. If they retain a fraction of the enthusiasm you imparted to them, you will have accomplished much more than many nameless teachers and faculty members over a lifetime of education."
—Cherrie D. Clay Clark T'81
"John brought an enthusiasm to his life that was contagious. I always left an encounter with John both exhausted and energized. He had that effect on others."
—Professor Clyde Stickney
"Easily my favorite professor at Tuck and perhaps in my entire academic career. My favorite phrase he would say was, 'It's your day! Come on down!' Favorite because every time I heard that, it was someone else...until finally...."
—Doug Macauley T'00
