John Sell, professor emeritus of business economics, passed away on Oct. 8, 2026, in Fairlawn, Ohio, at the age of 75. Sell's time at the College spanned over three decades, during which he taught business economics, contributed to the College’s financial administration, and helped connect students with leaders in the business world through the Hans H. Jenny Investment Club.
Joining the College in the fall of 1981, Sell was quickly approached by Hans H. Jenny to take over the advisor role of the Hans H. Jenny Investment Club, then called the Wooster Aid Fund. As an advisor, Sell’s involvement with the Hans H. Jenny Investment Club was one of his earliest and longest roles at the College.
His scholarly interests included financial economics, industrial organization, international business structures and law and economics. Sell's teaching helped students understand the day-to-day application of economic theories. His research examined topics such as the relationship between business culture and firm behavior, Germany’s Neuer Markt and financial market efficiency in Poland. He also conducted research as a visiting scholar at universities in Germany, reflecting his professional and personal connections to the country.
Sell’s work also extended to student opportunities and engagement with the business community. He was instrumental in the planning and conversations that led to the Center for Entrepreneurship at the College in 2007, which has since impacted generations of students from across disciplines. He also coordinated the James R. Wilson Lecture Series, which brought prominent business leaders to campus.
In the Winter 1993 edition of the Wooster magazine, Sell shared his reasons for coming to the College, testifying his commitment to interdisciplinary study and the liberal arts. “Although I love economics, and it’s my primary professional interest, along with finance, I didn’t want my whole life to be consumed by it, so I started looking around for liberal arts places. I thought that a liberal arts setting would allow me to pursue a range of intellectual interests,” Sell shared. “I think that our function at a liberal arts college is to help people understand how the world fits together.”
During his service to the College, Sell led a financial advisory committee to the president on matters of the budget. From 2007 to 2009, he served as interim vice president for finance and business, overseeing the College’s financial and operational responsibilities and directing the College’s investment activities, alongside fund managers, financial consultants and the Board of Trustees’ Investment Committee.
His contributions to business economics and the opportunities he helped create for students remain part of his legacy at the College. Sell’s full obituary is available here.