In Memoriam

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Dennis E. Grawoig: The Founder of the Decision Sciences Institute

by Marte Logan Grawoig and Betsy C. Grawoig Hicks

May 24th marks the 22nd anniversary of the passing of DSI founder, Dennis E. Grawoig. To mark the occasion, I requested his widow, Marte Grawoig, and daughter, Betsy Hicks, to introduce him to many current DSI members who did not have the opportunity to get to know him personally. [Krishna Dhir, Editor]

Dennis was always known for his vision and spirit of adventure. He was always ready for a challenge and loved to try new things. He loved people and his great spirit attracted and inspired many friends and colleagues.

Dennis was a wonderful teacher and inspired many of his students to pursue far-reaching careers. He was also a very good negotiator. He loved to stretch boundaries, though he was a strong believer in the importance of opportunities being a "win/win" for both parties. Examples of some opportunities he established were multiple-year contracts for Decision Sciences Institute conferences with large, international hotels and establishing the "Decision Sciences Laboratory" at Georgia State University for companies to introduce new technologies for DSI students to experiment with. Dennis was very visionary.

His vision for the Decision Sciences Institute was for it to become a major force and leader in the field of decision sciences, focusing on both teaching and education as well as research into applications that would benefit the business world.

College and Early Career
Dennis completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Tulsa, earning a BSBA in accounting in 1960. He completed his graduate work in accounting at the Wharton Graduate Division of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with an MBA in accounting with distinction in 1961. In 1960 and 1961 he was an instructor at Wharton in the Accounting Department.

During his early career he was an accountant at the firm of Arthur Anderson from 1961 to 1963, and he maintained his CPA in Oklahoma and Georgia from 1961 until his retirement.

Georgia State University
In 1963 Dennis began teaching at Georgia State University in the Accounting Department as an assistant professor of accounting. Then in 1966, wanting a new way of teaching mathematics in business schools, he founded the Department of Quantitative Methods at Georgia State as associate professor and chairman, becoming professor and chairman of the department in 1967.

This new department eventually became the Department of Decision Sciences, one of the largest departments of its type in the U.S. with 27 faculty members, incorporating the latest computer technology with decision support skills.

Among his accomplishments at Georgia State, Dennis initiated the first masters and doctoral programs in decision sciences in the U.S. which were approved by the University in 1969 and 1971, respectively. He also founded the Operational Gaming Group—which was formed to develop the business simulation games for GSU's continuing education program.

Dennis served as department chairman until his retirement in 1985, receiving the title of professor emeritus.

Decision Sciences Institute
Seeing a need for an academic association that would serve as a recruitment center, publish research, and serve as a forum in the relatively new field of decision sciences, in 1968 Dennis sent a letter to business schools and faculty around the U.S. asking for interested parties to join him at an initial meeting in Atlanta. About 25 people attended that first meeting, and the Decision Sciences Institute was born, then called the American Institute for Decision Sciences. The first annual meeting of the new organization was held on October 30-31, 1969, in New Orleans at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, and the Institute still returns to New Orleans for its annual meeting on every 10th anniversary.

The new organization was incorporated in Atlanta with its home office at Georgia State University, where it still remains. Dennis served as the first president of the new organization for two years and as its executive director until his retirement, becoming executive director emeritus.

Research and Author
Dennis was the author or co-author of seven books, including one of the first texts in the field, Decision Mathematics (McGraw-Hill, 1967). He published numerous research papers including several papers on "The Office of the Future," one of his major interests. In addition to DSI, Dennis was a member of a number of other academic associations. Concurrently with his academic and institute duties, Dennis also did consulting work for many major corporations around the country.

Hobbies and Interests
Dennis loved electronics and gadgets, and attended the consumer electronics show every year. He enjoyed building his own stereo and electronic equipment when time allowed. Dennis loved computers and would get up very early in the morning and begin working on them. He loved trying out new technology, from computers to cars. He would go to a new car dealership just to see the newest technologies being introduced.

Dennis was a very entertaining story teller and an excellent public speaker. He loved music and had a special love for musical theatre. Among his favorite shows were The Fantasticks, Fiddler on the Roof, and Man of La Mancha. In addition to musical theatre, Dennis also liked attending dramatic and comedic plays. Dennis also loved the symphony, being a frequent patron. His favorite composer was Dmitri Shostakovich. Dennis enjoyed jazz and would go to see a live performance whenever he could.

Dennis traveled a lot with his work and one of the things he truly enjoyed was to attend new plays and musicals and try new restaurants in whatever city he was visiting.

In Memoriam
Dennis died of multiple sclerosis on May 24, 1989, at his home in Boulder City, Nevada, where he and his wife, Marte, had settled when he retired. He was remembered at a memorial service in Atlanta that was attended by many friends and colleagues. He is still remembered and missed very much by all who knew him.

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