In Memoriam
It is with deep sadness that the Albers School of Business and Economics community marks the passing of two extraordinary members of our faculty, Dr. Barbara Yates and Dr. David Tinius. Across decades of service to Seattle University, they shaped not only the lives and careers of countless students, colleagues, and alumni but also our identity as a community.
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Dr. Barbara Yates and Dr. David Tinius
For many in the alumni community, Dr. Yates and Dr. Tinius were not only professors but mentors and guides at formative moments in their lives. Their influence extends far beyond campus through the work and lives of those they taught. The Albers community holds their families, friends, and all who were touched by their lives in our thoughts. Their legacy will remain an enduring part of Albers.
Dr. Barbara Yates
Dr. Yates joined Seattle University in 1970 and taught economics at Albers for more than forty years. As chair of the Department of Economics and Finance from 1989 to 2011, she played a central role in guiding the department’s growth and academic impact. In the classroom, she was known for her rigor, clarity, and deep commitment to her students’ success. Generations of undergraduate and graduate students benefited from her teaching across the MBA, the MA in Applied Economics, and the Master of Public Administration programs.
Her dedication to teaching was recognized through numerous honors including the McGoldrick Fellowship, the Sears Award for Teaching Excellence, the President’s Teaching Excellence Award, and the Seattle University Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award, among many others. More enduring than any award, however, was the respect and gratitude she earned from her students and colleagues.
Dr. David Tinius
Dr. Tinius joined Seattle University in 1971 and became a defining presence in the accounting program for more than four decades. A gifted educator, he taught management accounting and controllership, with his controllership course serving as a capstone experience that shaped the professional paths of many accounting graduates.
Dr. Tinius was known for his warmth, humor, and unwavering investment in his students. As chair of the Department of Accounting for 18 years, he helped position the program for national recognition, oversaw the development of the Master of Professional Accounting degree, and played a key role in launching the department’s tax preparation program serving low-income community members. He was also a driving force in creating The Pacioli Society in celebration of Fra Luca Pacioli, which resulted in the creation of the study tour to Sansepolcro, Italy.