Alan Hoisman -- In Memoriam

“And the Dust returns to the earth as it was and the spirit returns to God who gave it” - Ecclesiastes 12:7

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear friend, Alan (Al) Hoisman, Emeriti Professor of Applied Behavioral Science. There are few words to express the sorrow of losing Alan who joined Pepperdine Graziadio in 1974 and helped develop future business leaders until July 2007. Alan played a significant role in creating a nationally recognized business school and contributed to the MBA program and fully employed MBA Program as a faculty member. As a Professor of Applied Behavioral Science, he taught the Human Behavior in Organizations and associated workshop courses, as well as Managerial Creativity and Innovation course, which he co-designed with Dr. Ed Rockey. In Alan’s early years of teaching, he taught classes at our LAX location, Sherman Oaks, and in Orange County. He truly was a remarkable professor, mentor, friend, and person.

Pepperdine Graziadio is privileged to have had Alan as part of the Graziadio community. He was a light in this world, and now the Graziadio community must carry on this light.

From our Graziadio community:

“Al was down to earth, and welcoming in his demeanor. He was humanistic in his views and made every effort to help people (both students and faculty) become evermore self-determining. He was a thoughtful friend who liked to go to movies and share good meals. He guided me in my immersion into the ABS faculty and supported me both personally and professionally. I loved him and mourn his passing.”

- Dr. Miriam Lacey, Professor of Applied Behavioral Sciences

“Al was a valued colleague and mentor during my first years at Pepperdine. He had a great sense of humor, a positive perspective on life, and was always willing to share his insights with me and others.”

- Ann Feyerherm, Professor, Organization Theory and Management

“Thinking of Al Hoisman makes me smile as I recall the good-natured joking and collegial exchanges that we had before we taught our respective evening MBA classes in Irvine. One day Al shared a series of beautiful photographs that he took in a canyon near Laguna Beach. He explained that being in a wheelchair gave him the ability to see things from a different perspective: capturing the beauty in the ordinary that might otherwise get overlooked. He took that lesson into the classroom in the form of an assignment that asked students to take pictures from unusual perspectives and tell a unique story. These times might be made for that lesson. Perhaps each of us, feeling limited, can find ways to open our perspective and find something new and beautiful in honor of Al Hoisman and his passion for teaching and learning.”

- Terri Egan, Associate Professor of Applied Behavioral Science