Frank K. Reilly, the Martin J. Gillen dean emeritus and the Bernard J. Hank professor of finance in Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, died Thursday, according to a University press release. He was 85.
Reilly graduated from Notre Dame in 1957. He then received an MBA from Northwestern University and a doctorate from the University of Chicago.
He held the position of dean of the Mendoza College of Business from 1981-1987 and the Bernard J. Hank professor of finance title from 1987-2015. During his time at the University, Reilly specialized in research on security analysis and capital markets, wrote several books and received many teaching awards, including the Notre Dame Faculty Award in 1999, given in recognition of outstanding service to the University. He was also a fellow of the Financial Management Association in its inaugural group.
Current Mendoza dean and Bernard J. Hank professor of finance Martijn Cremers spoke of his admiration for Reilly.
“Frank was an inspiration to me, personally and professionally,” he said. “He was devoted to research excellence, teaching innovation and helping students prepare for their careers by emphasizing their intellectual, social and moral formation. He remained active with scholarship and with engaging our students even up to a week ago. His commitment to Mendoza’s mission was unswerving.”
Reilly worked to advance the College of Business through creating the accelerated one-year MBA program, the Executive MBA program, as well as codeveloping the signature Applied Investment Management (AIM) course with John Affleck-Graves, former Notre Dame executive vice president and finance professor, and Scott Malpass, former chief investment officer and assistant finance professor.
Reilly’s wife, Therese, died in 2015. He is survived by four children and many grandchildren. Arrangements for a memorial service are pending.
