Marketing and Communications

Sebastian Sanzberro Lastiri (3/6/09)

Staff and faculty at Southern Oregon University (SOU) and many friends in Ashland are mourning the loss of a dear friend and colleague, Sebastian Sanzberro Lastiri. He died February 21, 2009, at his home in Guanajuato, Mexico, after a battle with cancer.

Sanzberro was the Interim Dean of the SOU School of Business in 2005–2006. He had also served as Visiting Professor in the SOU School of Business in 2004–2005.

At SOU, Sanzberro is remembered as a brilliant and compassionate compadre. "Sebastian was my friend and colleague for more than 25 years at SOU and the Universidad de Guanajuato," says Meredith Reynolds, Amistad Program, SOU School of Business. "He just might be the brightest, wittiest, most sophisticated and humane colleague I’ve ever had. He surely is one of the finest friends I’ve known. In his memory, we should honor each other and strive to live our lives with integrity, kindness and a wicked sense of humor."

Sanzberro was born November 3, 1958, in Pomona, CA to Basque immigrants who moved the family to Mexico when Sebastian was young. Sebastian was a citizen of the USA, Spain and Mexico. He married Edna Leticia Esqueda Cordero in Guanajuato, and they had a son and daughter, Sebastian and Paloma. From 2004 to 2006, their son attended Ashland High School and their daughter attended Ashland Middle School. Sanzberro is survived by his wife, children, sister, father and mother-in-law.

Dennis Slattery, SOU School of Business, says, "Sebastian was a great man of great intelligence and a great heart. There are too few like him to lose at any time, but to lose him so young and not benefit from his wonderful leadership is an immeasurable loss."

Sanzberro graduated from the University of Guanajuato with a degree in Industrial Relations. He also had a Master of Science in Organizational Psychology from Southern Oregon University. At the Universidad de Guanajuato, Sanzberro served as Dean of the School of Industrial Relations from 1995 to 2000, Secretary General (provost) from 2000 to 2003 and Interim Rector from May to September 2003. His last assignment was as Coordinator General, Institute of Management and Leadership of the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education from 2007 to 2008.

"Sebastian's expertise in organizational development was a natural fit for his keen ability to observe people and understand their motivations and desires," says Hart Wilson, School of Business administrator. "He had a gift for friendship and for inspiring loyalty."

"Sebastian was the single-most generous person I have ever known," says former School of Business Dean John Laughlin. "He gave of his time, contacts and resources without any thought of reciprocation."

A memorial is planned for Sanzberro in April as part of the 40th anniversary of the Ashland-Guanajuato sister city relationship.