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In Memory of Kuldeep Shastri
Kuldeep Shastri passed away on April 19, 2010. He was 55 years old. He earned his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Business in 1976, where, in 1981, he joined the faculty. He was the Roger S. Ahlbrandt, Sr. Endowed Chair in Finance, as well as an affiliated faculty member of the University's Asian Studies Center and the Center for Latin American Studies. Kuldeep taught in the areas of corporate finance, derivatives, financial engineering, investments, and market microstructure. He was influential in the development and launch of the school's Financial Analysis Laboratory and was cited as one of the most prolific authors in the finance literature.
Kuldeep was awarded the Distinguished Professor Award by the Executive MBA Program and the Katz Excellence in Teaching Award numerous times. He also received the Dean's Distinguished Service Award in 2003. In addition to teaching at the Katz School, Kuldeep lectured extensively in Central and Eastern Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia. He was also a visiting scholar at numerous universities including the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the Indian School of Business, Thammasat University, Universidad Technica Federico Santa Maria, The Czech Management Center, and the International Management Center in Budapest.
Kuldeep earned his PhD from UCLA Anderson School of Management and his engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology.
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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Obituary
Reflections from Faculty and Staff
On April 19, 2010 the Pitt Business Finance group lost one of his most remarkable faculty members. Kuldeep Shastri joined the group almost 30 years ago and was instrumental in terms of the academic reputation and well being of the group. He held the Roger Ahlbrandt Sr. Endowed Chair in Finance and as such was involved with every aspect of academic life. Kuldeep published an impressive number of articles in the most prestigious finance journals and is widely cited in the field's literature. ...More even than for his endless professional contributions, Kuldeep will be profoundly missed because of his endearing personality. ...Kuldeep exhibited a contagious passion for life, while at the same time, being very modest about his accomplishments. I will remember Kuldeep always - foremost as a friend, but also as very generous person of great intellect and distinction.
Frederik P. Schlingemann
Associate Professor of Business Administration and Finance Area Director
"In addition to his dedication and commitment to teaching and research, Kuldeep was more than willing to help MBA Admissions with the recruitment of quality students. Whether through product training, participating in events, or serving as a contact for prospective candidates, Kuldeep was always ready and willing to volunteer his expertise; this was invaluable and greatly appreciated. He is and will continue to be missed."
Cliff McCormick
Director, MBA Admissions
"Kuldeep was my teacher when I was a student here at Pitt. He was a new graduate student and so very dedicated to teaching and to our class. He had a heart attack during the term and was gone for part of it, but he made sure he was back before the final and that we all were OK. I was struggling with some concepts; he gave a great amount of time to help me through finals, and I have always been appreciative.
"I graduated and left the University for many years as did he. It was with great joy and happiness that we rediscovered each other when I became a University employee in 1994. He was always good for a story or insights into financial world affairs and any help that the Institute [for Entrepreneurial Excellence] or our members needed. On April 6 at the Bennett Stewart luncheon, he was sitting across the room from me, but he gave me his sweet smile-eyes twinkling-and silently mouthed, 'How are you?' It was the last time I saw him, and I miss him now and forever."
Ann Dugan
Assistant Dean and Founder
Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence
"I knew Kuldeep for 26 years. I began working for him shortly after my arrival at Katz in 1984. His kindheartedness was magnified through his actions toward others. ... When I turned 21 years old, he gave me a bouquet of multi-colored tea roses in a white wooden vase with flowers on it. Why do I remember this act of kindness so well? I remember it because it was one of the most thoughtful gifts that I ever received from a boss. ... This year, actually two weeks before his death, I was going through my boxes at home and found the white wooden vase with flowers on it that Kuldeep had given to me. I said, 'Ahh, this is the vase Kuldeep got for me; I am going to put it on my table.' ... I will miss seeing him at Katz and especially, when I leave work at night; I won't see his familiar face teaching in the finance lab as he so often did."
Charmaine Evans
Recruiting Manager, MBA Career Services
