Dr. James McNeill Stancill was a pioneering educator in the field of entrepreneurial finance and a beloved professor at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business for over four decades. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The George Washington University and later completed his Ph.D. in finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

After joining USC in 1964, Dr. Stancill became a cornerstone of the MBA program, teaching more than 9,000 students and shaping the financial thinking of over a third of the university’s MBA graduates. He was a key figure in developing what is now recognized as entrepreneurial finance, with a strong focus on real-world application, cash flow analysis, and financial strategy for emerging businesses.

His signature line, “Cash flow is more important than your mother”, was well known among students and even printed on sweatshirts made in his honor. His textbook, Entrepreneurial Finance for New and Emerging Business, reflects this philosophy and remains a practical, essential guide for aspiring entrepreneurs. He made prolific contributions to the Harvard Business Review, and he brought a global perspective to his work, having traveled to over 110 countries.

Dr. Stancill's legacy is one of intellectual rigor, global curiosity, and dedication to teaching. His work continues to influence new generations of entrepreneurs and business students.