March 2, 2005 — Barry Cushing, a distinguished professor in the School of Accounting and Information Systems, passed away Tuesday morning after a long battle with cancer. He was 59. Professor Cushing is survived by his wife of 38 years, Cherry Lee Barker, and their four children, Dennis, Becky, Christy and Andy. He received a B.A. degree in 1966 (with high honor) and his Ph. D. in Accounting in March of 1969, both from Michigan State University.
Dr. Cushing enjoyed a long and distinguished career at The University of Utah, joining the faculty as a Professor of Accounting in September of 1977. He was chair of the U’s Accounting Department from July 1982 until December 1985. Professor Cushing left the U in 1986 for a position at Pennsylvania State University, where he was later named the Arthur Andersen Professor of Accounting. Professor Cushing returned to the University of Utah in 1991 and was named the David Eccles Professor of Accounting in 1996. Among the many awards Barry Cushing received during his career are the American Accounting Association’s 1997 Wildman Medal for the most significant contribution to the advancement of the practice of accounting and the American Accounting Association’s 2004 Outstanding Auditing Educator Award recognizing outstanding contributions to auditing education.
The University of Utah recognized Professor Cushing’s many years of service by awarding him the Doctoral Faculty Teaching Excellence Award from the David Eccles School of Business in 1997. “Professor Cushing’s contributions helped establish the School of Accounting as one of the top programs in the West. The School today very much reflects Professor Cushing’s academic leadership: a group of committed scholars whose research informs practice and who are dedicated to giving the best to their students. This was Dr. Cushing’s vision, and the school’s ongoing achievements are an important legacy,” said Jack Brittain, dean of the David Eccles School of Business.
The loss of Dr. Cushing is being mourned today by the students he taught and the many colleagues he mentored throughout the years. “Barry has left an amazing legacy of impact on the lives of students, colleagues, friends and family. All through his life he never settled for second best, whether it was in preparing for his classes, working on research projects, writing papers, or taking care of his family. He will be sorely missed. Many of his friends have indicated that they will be traveling from all over the country to attend the services in his honor,” said business professor D. Gerald Searfoss.
Friends and family are invited to a viewing Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive. A memorial service will be held at the home of Professor Searfoss on Saturday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Directions can be obtained by calling 944-4393.
Professor Cushing’s achievements are too numerous to list. His full biography and teaching philosophy can be found at http://home.business.utah.edu/~actbec/.