College of Business professor Iris Mack, who was the second Black woman to receive a doctorate in applied mathematics from Harvard University in 1986, as well as a beloved professor of Introduction to Business at Loyola, died in late September of 2022.

“She brought her brilliance and her ability to motivate students to learn and question things,” said Kathy Barnett, the associate dean of the College of Business.

During her time at Loyola, Mack renamed the introductory business course “AI and the Future of Business” due to her extensive knowledge of artificial intelligence and its relation to basic business concepts.

Mack became the first Black woman to teach applied mathematics at the MIT Sloan School of Management the same year she graduated from Harvard in 1986. She also wrote an algorithm for trading oil and gas that is still used by many firms today, Barnett said.

Barnett described Mack as an amazing individual, who had the ability to help students see the endless possibilities that lay ahead for them. Barnett said that Mack stood as a role model for female students and students of color.

Daphne Main, an associate professor and coordinator of accounting at Loyola, shared similar sentiments.

“I think her long-run impact was showing students of all races and backgrounds that she, as a woman and a person of color, could be successful in business,” Main said.

Yennifer Mejo Sotero, a business management and marketing senior, said Mack had a great ability to put her at ease.

“I had told her that I was scared to be in a room full of white students because I was so used to being around other Hispanics and African-Americans. She then told me, ‘don’t worry I dealt with that, and if it happens, remember you’re just going to stand out for a good reason,’” Sotero said.

Ramiro Martinez, a business management sophomore, remembered how Mack was able to energize her students.

“She brought to class such a positive attitude which made me actually enjoy it,” Martinez said. “I had her class in the morning, and being all sleepy, I did not want to miss her class since every time I went there, I learned something different.”

Mack was uniquely connected to all her students, whether they were business majors or not, according to Barnett.

Economics and management senior Austin Young said Mack brought knowledge and experience to her students.

“She always had a story to help explain the concepts from class,” Young said.

Joe Middleton, a business management senior said: “At one point I started calling her ‘Mama Mack’ and she was one of those people you don’t forget once you are blessed to meet her.”

Marketing junior Mariana Cabrales said Mack will leave a lasting legacy at Loyola.

“She impacted the lives of many Loyola students, teachers, and staff. Her contribution as a teacher in the business school was admirable, as she taught students not only business related skills, but also important life lessons,” Cabrales said.