Colleague, friend, teacher, and mentor, Sally Webber, HSBC Professor of Accountancy, passed away peacefully on October 30th after a three-year battle with cancer.
Sally joined the Department of Accountancy in 1999 as an assistant professor, was promoted to associate professor in 2002, and full professor in 2008. She earned her undergraduate and master's degrees from Northern Illinois University (NIU) and her doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. She was an active and involved member of the American Accounting Association and most recently was Chairman of the Education Committee of the Information Systems section in 2005.
Sally won a number of teaching and research awards while at NIU and in 2008 was awarded NIU's Outstanding Mentor Award in honor of her work mentoring colleagues and students over the years. Sally was also a passionate advocate for Beta Alpha Psi, serving as Faculty Advisor for NIU's chapter and Director of the Midwest Region. Sally was presented with Beta Alpha Psi's National President's Award in 2007 for the contributions she made to students and to the professionalism and service ideals espoused by Beta Alpha Psi. The President's Award is Beta Alpha Psi's highest and most prestigious award. Sally was named an NIU Department of Accountancy Outstanding Alumni in 2006 for her ongoing commitment to the Department.
Her family has been maintaining a website to keep friends and family of Sally Webber informed about her cancer diagnosis and treatment. The website has now been turned into a memorial for Sally.
To carry Sally's dedication to students into the future, Northern Illinois University has established the Sally Webber Scholarship in Accountancy. In lieu of flowers and gifts, Sally and the Webber family request that contributions be directed to that scholarship fund. Checks payable to the 'NIU Foundation' indicating that the gift is for the Sally Webber Scholarship Fund may be mailed to:
Anthony D'Andrea
Director of Development
Northern Illinois University
College of Business
Barsema Hall 145B
DeKalb, IL 60115-2882
We will miss Sally both professionally and personally.