Daughter of Shreveport Sun Founder Dies

Founder of FAMU's School of Business and Industry

TALLAHASSEE, FL ---  Dr. Sybil Mobley, founder of the Florida A&M University's renowned business school passed away in Tallahassee, FL early Tuesday morning.

Sybil Collins Mobley was born in Shreveport to Melvin Lee Collins, Sr. (founder of The Shreveport Sun), and Cora Jones Collins.

A graduate of Central Colored High School in Shreveport, she earned her B.A. from Bishop College and, in 1961 became the first African American to earn an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

She began her career at FAMU in 1963, developing a Leadership Program with students who ranked in the top five percent nationally.

 FAMU's School of Business and Industry was created in 1974.  When she started her career at FAMU, in 1963 there was no business school.  She established an accredited program, gathered staff and faculty, shaped a business school that occupies more than 130,000 square feet. In 2007, the building for the department was named in her honor.  Her service to FAMU spanned 40 years.

She received honorary degrees from Hamilton College, Washington University in St Louis, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and her three alma maters: Bishop College, Wharton School of Finance, and the University of Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Otis James Mobley; and three siblings.
She is survived by her children; Janet Mobley Sermon, Ph.D., James Mobley, Jr., and Melvin E. Mobley; her sister Malissa Collins Mobley of Shreveport; grandchildren nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

Funeral services were pending at Sun presstime.

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