In Memory of Ann C. Wendt

Ann C. Wendt, Ph.D., SPHR, died October 10, 2008. She joined the faculty of Wright State in 1988 as an assistant professor in the Department of Management in the Raj Soin College of Business.  “Dr. Wendt was a loyal and dedicated faculty member for many years,” said Berkwood Farmer, Ph.D., dean of the college. “She always put her students first and was well-respected by them. The university community as well as the business community has lost a friend.”

Wendt was actively involved in developing one of the nation’s first bachelor’s degree programs in human resources management at WSU.

“Her classes were vital preparation for our human resource management students in preparation for their professional certification exams and their careers,” said Scott Williams, Ph.D., professor of management.

Wendt combined her professional work experience with academic theories and principles to prepare students for challenging and meaningful careers. Particularly passionate about ensuring that the college’s business curriculum was relevant for students who are current and future businesspeople, Wendt recruited faculty with business experience, and facilitated experiential learning opportunities in the form of practica and internships.

“She was my favorite teacher at Wright State, hands down,” said Molly Holtzapple, who has taken several of Wendt’s classes. “She helped me get my first internship, and I would often find myself going to her office a few times a quarter to ask her questions about HR and legal issues concerning cases.”

In 1985, Wendt and her colleague, William Slonaker, J.D., created The Ohio Employment Discrimination Studies, a unique longitudinal database that is on-going today. Investigating various aspects of discrimination in the workplace, Wendt and Slonaker examined a stratified random sample of thousands of discrimination claims drawn from the files of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. The study is a rich source of data that provides employers, employees, the public, lawyers, legislative policy-makers, and regulators new insight and perspectives concerning employment discrimination.

“She was instrumental in inviting the Ohio Civil Rights Commission hearings on employment discrimination to the Wright State campus,” said Williams. “Students, faculty and guests from the community were invited to observe the proceedings and gain insights into the legal process.”

Wendt was also responsible for the development of the Annual Best Practices in Diversity Forum, an event that provides HR professionals, managers, and executives a unique opportunity to enhance diversity in their organizations. She was also one of the initiators of the human resources lecture series hosted at WSU.

Wendt obtained her M.S. in Human Resources and her Ph.D. in Business Administration, with major fields in Labor/Employment Law and Labor Relations, from University of Utah, College of Business.

Wendt was a resident of Dayton and is survived by twin daughters LeAnn (Wendt) Dickerson, her husband Scott and three children; and LuAnn (Wendt) Brigham, her husband Scott, and her three children.

Those wishing to make donations in Wendt’s name may do so through the Department of Management’s scholarship fund in the Raj Soin College of Business.