In 2022, Professor Emeritus of Business Galen deGraff stands with Rob Strassheim ’96 in the doorway of the Galen deGraff Classroom in Woodward Hall. Photo courtesy of Rob and Sarah Strassheim.
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Professor Emeritus of Management Galen DeGraff, who taught business courses, primarily in finance, for over two decades. He retired in 2015 and led the Strategic Management capstone seminar for 20 years.
With an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate Business School and his doctorate in strategic management and international business from George Washington University, DeGraff wrote the book International Strategic Business Environments: A Comparative Empirical Assessment of the United Kingdom and the United States, which was published by George Washington University.
He also flew in Vietnam as a combat assault helicopter aircraft commander in the 1968 TET invasion with the 173 Assault Helicopter Company and on the staff of the 11th Combat Aviation Battalion. Stories from his military career and from his research and consulting interests in strategy formulation, strategic management, international business, and the management of family firms often came into his classroom, bringing business concepts to life.
DeGraff is remembered fondly by many alumni, including those who gathered support and resources to name the Galen deGraff Classroom in the College of Business in 2022, along with an endowed scholarship in his name to help recruit out-of-state students who plan to major in business.
His students note how he changed their trajectory, instilling confidence in their studies and having a tremendous impact on their lives and professional careers. He steered students toward impactful learning opportunities such as internships and independent studies, inspiring them to take on challenges. His colleagues have said, “He taught students that the pursuit of anything meaningful requires effort beyond what most people are usually willing to give.”
It’s in that spirit of generosity and impact that we remember Galen, both in the classroom and through the lives and careers of those inspired by him. Our sympathies go to his family and friends.
For more information about his life and family, please see the obituary online. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support the Galen F. deGraff Scholarship in Business at the University of Mary Washington. To make a donation to Galen’s scholarship, please visit umw.edu/gift and include Galen’s name in the “in memory” field.