Bern Beatty, retired professor of business, passes away

August 10, 2021

We are saddened to share that Bernard Lee “Bern” Beatty, retired associate professor of management in the business school, passed away on August 4. He was 92 years old.

Beatty taught accounting, management and case writing for 42 years, from 1974 to 2016; he was recognized as a Babcock Educator of the Year six times between 1975 and 2003.

For several years of his Wake Forest career, Professor Beatty awarded the prestigious Bern Beatty Scholarship, an annual full-expenses two-year scholarship, to support exceptional business school students; this endowed scholarship continues to be awarded annually in his honor. The Bern Beatty Faculty Fellowship for outstanding business professors was established by alumni to recognize his teaching and mentorship.

The Bern Beatty Colloquium in Farrell Hall, home of the Wake Forest School of Business, was named for him.

Beatty’s obituary is available here. A memorial celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to The Salvation Army or The Bike Box Project.

We grieve Beatty’s death and extend our condolences to all who had the opportunity to know him.

Wake Forest offers support and counseling services for all students, faculty and staff. The Counseling Center may be reached at 336.758.5273, the Chaplain’s Office at 336.758.5210. For faculty and staff, there is also the Employee Assistance Program at 336.716.5493.