Tom Musser, professor of Economics & Management, passed away this past Labor Day weekend at his home surrounded by his family. Fondly known as “T’Muss” by his students, he was a beloved member of the DePauw community and left a lasting impact and legacy as a professor.
“This community was blessed to have Tom with us as a teacher, colleague and friend for seventeen years,” wrote President Mark McCoy in an email today to students, faculty and staff. At the Commencement for the Class of 2018, Musser was named the Emeritus Professor of Economics and Management.
DePauw faculty and staff remember how much Musser cared for his students. “One story I recalled was a student who was having trouble making it to his class at 8 a.m.,” said Professor of Economics Gary Lemon. “Tom called her each morning (with her permission) before class to make sure she was awake and ready for his class.”
Lemon described how Musser always set the bar high for his students and in return, went the extra mile to help them succeed. “He truly cared about DePauw students, faculty, staff and alumni.”
Professor of Economics Jeffrey Gropp wrote in an email that Musser “epitomized the type of relationship between student and professor that is the hallmark of the liberal arts tradition.” Gropp commended Musser’s dedication to improving the student experience in economics and management, the Management Fellow program and the University as a whole.
Professor of Economics Bill Field wrote, “Professor Musser was a brilliant teacher. His dedication to his students and their education was an inspiration to all of us, and we will miss him greatly.”
Gropp will miss Musser as both a colleague and a trusted friend. “You want to ask what is Tom Musser’s legacy?” said Gropp. “Without hesitation, I would offer that his greatest legacy at DePauw is the love and respect that he generated from his students that possessed the good fortune to have him as a professor.”
A memorial service for Musser will be held at a later date.