The Villanova community mourns the recent loss of beloved Villanova School of Business professor, Gerald A. Dougherty, CPA, VSB ’58. Prof. Dougherty, the longest-tenured professor at Villanova, passed away on Feb. 2 after an arduous battle with cancer. 

Prof. Dougherty is best known for his extraordinary impact on the Villanova community after having taught more than 25,000 students during his 57 years as a faculty member at the University.

In a recent Facebook post, the Villanova School of Business asked individuals to share their favorite memories to uplift Dougherty’s spirits and the response was overwhelming. Comments included fond memories of the professor as people recalled, “Of all the classes throughout my four years, his left a lasting impression on me” and how, “The “A” I got in [Dougherty’s] class was my hardest earned grade, and probably my proudest moment at Villanova.” 

It is evident how Dougherty was able to positively influence not just his students, but VSB faculty, colleagues and others around him.

He was awarded the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Outstanding Teaching in 1973 and a classroom in Bartley Hall was dedicated to him in 2006. 

Following his passing, VSB will continue to honor the cherished professor by hanging up a large photo of him, taken from a recent Villanova Business magazine interview in Bartley Hall, and by awarding the Gerald A. Dougherty Endowed Faculty Award for Undergraduate Teaching each year.