Northeastern University is remembering Thomas Moore, former dean of the College of Business Administration (CBA) and a visionary leader and innovator, who passed away last week.

A graduate of Northeastern’s MBA program, Moore joined the faculty in 1975 and held several administrative roles, including associate dean and then acting dean of CBA. He went on to serve in leadership positions at Babson College and the Arthur D. Little School of Management before returning to Northeastern in 2004 to become CBA’s dean.

“I was always personally grateful for Tom’s willingness to work beyond the scope of his college,” said Joseph Aoun, president of Northeastern. “He constantly provided me with ideas on a range of University-wide issues including online education, global experiential programs and strategic partnerships.”

Moore taught marketing and management courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. He was also published widely on innovations in management curricula, the introduction of high technology products and marketing for nonprofit organizations.

As dean, he recognized that students must be prepared to lead in a complex global economy. Under his leadership, CBA launched the Bachelor of Science in International Business (BSIB) program, which has partnerships with universities in seven different countries.

He also championed the Social Enterprise Institute, which enables students to develop microfinance projects in impoverished regions of the world. Moore consistently sought to provide opportunities for working professionals looking to advance their studies, by designing and launching an online MBA program — which today is recognized as one of the world’s best.

“When Tom returned to Northeastern, he recognized the unrealized potential of CBA’s programs, students, staff and faculty. He preached that a great business school needed great students, great faculty, great programs and great alumni,” said William Crittendon, CBA’s senior associate dean and dean of faculty.

“Tom’s legacy of innovation pervades CBA — online education, social entrepreneurship, enhancement and expansion of international programs, customized executive education and faculty and programmatic strengths in global management. With Tom’s passing, higher education has lost an insightful leader, and the college has lost a beloved friend.”

“Tom was a great dean and I will miss his wise counsel and ability to cut through issues and get to a solution,” said Stephen Zoloth, dean of the Bouvé College of Health Sciences. “He saw clearly what needed to be done, and was a master at execution. He respected and was respected by faculty and staff, and instinctively made choices that brought out the best in people. He was warm and funny, with a very subtle sense of humor, and he was a very strategic thinker who clearly led the college to great success.”

A husband, father, and retired U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, Moore’s life was filled with exemplary achievements.

“Tom lived life to the fullest, and he made an enormous impact on so many people he worked with here,” said Kate Klepper, CBA’s associate dean of graduate business programs. “He cared deeply about education, and was a wonderful example of how to be a great leader.”

“Tom was a great guy,” said Harry Lane, acting dean of the college. “He put the college on a trajectory for tremendous success. He was very entrepreneurial, particularly in developing our online programs. He was a good manager also. He understood people’s strengths and he put in place an excellent management team and empowered them.”

Friends and colleagues from the College of Business Administration and from across the University gathered on Saturday at a reception hosted by President Aoun to celebrate Moore’s life and achievements.

“Like all educators, Tom’s work lives on in the thousands of students he taught and mentored,” said Aoun.