University of Findlay Mourns Beloved College of Business Professor

Shiv Gupta, D.B.A.

The University of Findlay is mourning the passing of Shiv Kumar Gupta, D.B.A., professor emeritus of economics and marketing.
Dr. Gupta died at his residence on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. He was a beloved member of the University of Findlay community for more than 45 years. During that time, he had transformational impact upon the lives of countless students and colleagues he worked alongside.
The Gupta family and the University will host a memorial celebration in the Center for Student Life and College of Business on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. The family has asked that those wishing to pay tribute to Dr. Gupta make a contribution to one of the funds at the University of Findlay established by Dr. Gupta and his family:

• Shiv K. Gupta Scholarship Endowment Fund
• Professor Shiv K. Gupta Faculty Chair in the College of Business Endowment
• Gupta Business Faculty Global Studies Endowment
• Professor Shiv Gupta Award for Excellence in Teaching

A native of India who first arrived in Dayton, Ohio, in 1965 to pursue an MBA, Dr. Gupta retired from UF in 2015 after serving as a faculty member in the College of Business since 1970. When he began teaching at UF as an assistant professor of business administration there were just eight faculty members in the College of Business and only 800 students enrolled at then Findlay College.

Dr. Gupta pictured at right in the front row with members of the former University of Findlay Students in Free Enterprise team.

Dr. Gupta was foundational to developing the College of Business and many of its programs including marketing, finance and the Master of Business Administration. He was also the campus founder and adviser of UF’s former Students in Free Enterprise team, which won 14 regional championships and six national championships under his tenure, and established the Marketing Club.
Dr. Gupta always encouraged global awareness among his students, UF faculty and staff and the community. He led the now very popular International Night, a tradition that still continues today. Dr. Gupta was also instrumental in helping globalize the City of Findlay. He is credited with assisting Findlay city government and local businesses improve their services and operations. He helped establish Findlay’s Free Enterprise Zone, something he characterized as the “backbone” of the city’s success. As part of the effort, he led a research project on the quality of life in Findlay, which ultimately helped lure the first Japanese joint-venture company to the area.
Upon his retirement, the University’s Board of Trustees named him professor emeritus in October 2015 in recognition for his years of service and teaching excellence.
Dr. Gupta was generous with his dollars as well as his time and talents. Dr. Gupta and his family established the funds listed above. In January 2016, in honor of his late wife, Elizabeth, Dr. Gupta also established the Shiv K. and Elizabeth Gupta Grand Auditorium in the University’s new Center for Student Life and College of Business.