On March 4, George Wright, Dean of the School of Business and Economics, passed away. Wright served Concordia by providing leadership at an important time for the business school and his contributions will have lasting impact. His loss is felt deeply across the Concordia community. Wright was 69.

Prior to joining Concordia, Wright worked as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with leadership positions in strategic planning, accounting and information technology. He came to Concordia as an adjunct faculty member in 2004. From 2008 to 2019 Wright worked as Administrative Dean and Assistant Professor of Business before transitioning to Dean of Business and Economics. 

In a statement, Concordia President, Dr. Michael Thomas, said, “Dean Wright was an exemplary leader who prioritized the student experience above everything else.” Thomas continued, “He was one of the most kind-hearted, devoted and joyful faculty at Concordia. He could light up a room, whether filled with students, staff or faculty.”

For Avery Casteel, Concordia alum and School of Business & Economics Administrative Assistant & HR Specialist, Wright was an important mentor for her since high school. 

Casteel said, “He was the reason why I came to Concordia University Irvine and joined their business program. He called me and answered all of my questions about the program.” 

In 2020, Casteel was hired as a student worker for the School of Business and Economics and worked closely with Wright. Casteel said, “He took the time to teach me so much about accounting, finance and processes. He was great about showing me his ideas and I loved bringing those ideas to life.” 

To Casteel, Wright did more than share advice in their field, he enhanced their work environment. Casteel recalled, “Dean Wright had a witty, sarcastic humor to him that brought energy into the office. The jokes and laughter we all shared in the office were because of him.”  

David Sanchez, junior and student worker for the School of Business and Economics, worked with Wright since April 2022, starting each work morning with him. Like Casteel, Sanchez said, “Anytime he had a new student meeting or work meeting, I was with him. He was always able to lighten the room with witty jokes and great stories.”

Sanchez recalled Wright saying, "It is okay to say 'I don't know,’ and ‘ask for help’ than to navigate something you don't understand alone.” Sanchez said this advice was “a powerful statement as I adjusted to this new learning curve and to ultimately recognize it is okay to ask for help and not know everything.” 

David Kruse, junior and Business Administration student, worked under Wright for two years to successfully orchestrate the Concordia Business Plan Competition. Kruse said, “I admired Dean Wright’s sincere passion to create ways for students to find success in the School of Business and Economics. He worked tirelessly and consistently to open new avenues and connections for those in the business program.”

Kruse said, “Wright was always diligent in properly allocating resources and strengths to accomplish the university’s main objectives and purpose. He did all of this in the love that Christ taught him.”

Drew Wolf, Director of the MBA Program, met Wright over 12 years ago, holding a close relationship through their roles in the business school. 

Wolf noted a value that caught his imagination and admiration; Wright’s dedication to being fearlessly thrifty. Wolf said, “He rode the city bus to work at CUI! He used his own chainsaw to trim his trees. He liked handling complaints because he said it was his way to offer ‘free consulting.’” 

“One of my favorite aspects about CUI is that the interactions with colleagues supersedes the typical definition of ‘relationship,’” Wolf recalled, sharing how Wright had offered advice to him for buying a house, celebrated the birth of Wolf’s son together and bonded on the court through faculty/staff basketball. 

Wolf said, “We even shared our faith together in those quiet times when life and job hurdles seemed to come at us…I will miss my daily interactions with George W. Wright.”

Wolf recalled Wright’s motto for success as “Prayer, hard work and luck!” Wright’s presence in the Concordia community will be sorely missed, but his wisdom, contributions to campus and friendship will be remembered forever. A celebration of life is planned for this spring.  

Tags: business

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