J.P. Shim, executive director of the Korean-American Business Center.
The Robinson College of Business mourns the loss of J.P. Shim, clinical professor of computer information systems and executive director of the Korean-American Business Center, who died November 22. Dean Richard Phillips spoke at Dr. Shim’s funeral. Here are his remarks.
It is my great honor to share a few memories about the remarkable J.P. Shim. There is so much I could say about J.P. He touched many lives and made tremendous contributions during his decade at the Robinson College of Business and Georgia State University.
To focus my remarks, I spoke with several of J.P.’s closest faculty colleagues, as well as students, alumni, and staff. Several themes emerged in my conversations.
I’ll start with J.P.’s stature as a scholar. J.P. joined Georgia State in 2011 after a distinguished career at Mississippi State University. He was a prolific researcher who never quit publishing … a tireless contributor to the advancement of the information systems discipline … an in-demand guest lecturer … and recipient of many honors in recognition of his achievements.
J.P. also was a bridge builder. As executive director of our Korean-American Business Center, he was a nonstop networker who built strong relationships with numerous companies. And these relationships benefited our students as much as they did the companies. Professor Emeritus Ephraim McLean, who brought JP to Georgia State, mentioned that his classes were renowned for the quality and quantity of sessions with senior executives.
Most importantly, J.P. cared deeply about his students. As many accolades as he earned over his career, the highest tribute we can pay is to say that J.P. was a teacher’s teacher. He mentored and guided countless students here and at Mississippi State. I’m proud to say one of J.P.’s doctoral students at Mississippi State, Frank Lee, is on our faculty.
J.P. was known for his quiet acts of kindness to students. Bala Ramesh, chair of the Department of Computer Information Systems, recalled that although J.P. wasn’t currently working with our doctoral students, he would take them to lunch.
And J.P. cared about all students at Georgia State – not just those enrolled in Robinson. Judy Kim, who majored in journalism, met J.P. in 2012 when she assisted the university photographer at a photoshoot. Judy, who is of Korean heritage, had never visited her “mother country” – the term she said J.P. used – and had no plans to do so.
Fast forward to the following Maymester, a five-week term when the university sponsors numerous study abroad programs. J.P. worked with Judy to create a for-credit opportunity to accompany Robinson’s business students on a Maymester program in Korea, where she photographed and reported on the agenda. According to Judy, the trip “made me better appreciate who I am, and instilled a sense of pride in myself as a Korean.”
Finally, university photographer Meg Buscema described J.P. perfectly. “He was a young spirit who really connected with students and with people in general.”
I speak for all my colleagues when I say we will deeply miss J.P. We are grateful to have worked with him this past decade.
Richard Phillips
December 1, 2021