University mourns death of College of Business Professor Bonnie Roach

Photo courtesy of: College of Business

Bonnie Roach

Dr. Bonnie Roach, Ohio University professor of business law and human resource management, died on Tuesday, June 18, from complications related to a brain aneurysm.

She served in the College of Business for more than 31 years after beginning her career in 1988 as a faculty member in the Management Department. She primarily taught courses in human resources management and business law during her tenure.

“Bonnie’s friendly personality and professional presence will certainly be missed in Copeland Hall,” said College of Business Dean Dr. Hugh Sherman. “She was a valuable member of our faculty and a great colleague during her esteemed academic career. I want to share my sincere condolences with her colleagues, friends and family.”

Dr. Roach’s research interests included sexual harassment, employment law issues and alternative dispute resolution. She was an active researcher who served as associate editor for the American Journal of Business and as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Employment and Labor Law. She was also a member of the Academy of Management, the Association of Management and the Society for Human Resources Management.

Throughout her career, Dr. Roach was involved in several interesting studies and projects including the evaluation of the Ohio Industrial Commission’s Safety Director Program. At OHIO, she developed the first Robert L. Föehl Ethical Leadership Case Competition case study and recently co-led the process to update the College’s Business Pre-Law program.

Dr. Roach received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Vassar College before earning her M.L.H.R., Ph.D., and J.D. from The Ohio State University. She began her teaching career at the University of Illinois in 1984.

Service arrangements will be shared at a later date.