Professor Emeritus of Business, Dr. John P. Briscoe, passed away at the age of 92 on March 19, 2025. A former professor of statistics and operations management in the IU Southeast School of Business, Dr. Briscoe was instrumental in securing funding for the MBA program and played a key role in recruiting and mentoring new faculty for the program.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, on November 5, 1932, to Phyllis and Ernest Briscoe, John’s family moved back to Kentucky when he was seven, where he was raised on the Briscoe Farm. After graduating from Fern Creek High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and honorably served four years aboard the USS Markab and the USS Arcadia during the Korean War. During his military service, John married his high school sweetheart, Jean Squires. At the time of his passing, they had been married for 72 years and had two children, Cindy and Ben.
Upon his discharge from the Navy, John and Jean moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where he attended the University of Kentucky. In 1959, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and began working for Union Carbide Corporation. He later attended Purdue University, achieving a Master of Science in Engineering in 1963. After working for seven years as Head Mechanical Engineer in research and development at Union Carbide in Kokomo, Indiana, John and Jean returned to Louisville, Kentucky. There, John was employed by American Air Filter Corporation as Chief Engineer for the Process Air Division, a role that prepared him to become President of Midwest Engineering Corporation. His education continued at the University of Louisville, where he earned his Ph.D. in System Science and Mathematical Statistics in 1977.
Dr. Briscoe joined IU Southeast in 1971 as a faculty advisor in the Professional Practice Program and Assistant Professor. In 1984, he achieved the rank of Associate Professor and became a full professor in 1990. He retired from IU Southeast as Professor Emeritus in 1996.
Former colleagues of Dr. Briscoe recognized his integrity and his commitment to always putting his students first. He generously supported student scholarships in the School of Business.
In addition to his academic career, John and his wife owned and operated Cloverland Peach Orchard for 19 years. His affiliations with numerous professional and charitable organizations remain a lasting part of his legacy.
Dr. Briscoe had many entrepreneurial interests and was a known outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting.
In lieu of flowers expressions be made to: Indiana University Foundation, John P. Briscoe Scholarship Fund Post Office Box 500, Bloomington, IN 47402