The Vanderbilt community is mourning the death of Adugna Olani, senior lecturer in economics, who died June 15, 2026, at the age of 45. Olani was a revered professor and mentor who had been teaching at Vanderbilt since 2018.
Olani was born in Arjo, Ethiopia, and worked as a researcher for the National Bank of Ethiopia early in his career. After earning a Ph.D. in economics from Queen's University in Ontario, Canada, he became a lecturer in macroeconomics at the University of Georgia. He then joined Vanderbilt in 2018 as a senior lecturer in economics for the College of Arts and Science, specializing in open economy macroeconomics, development economics and applied econometrics.
Olani was known as a compassionate and optimistic mentor to his students who always brought kindness and humor into his classes.
"The heartbreaking news of Dr. Olani's sudden and untimely passing has brought profound sorrow to the Vanderbilt community. Dr. Olani approached every endeavor with genuine care, infectious energy and a warm, ubiquitous smile. He was especially good at making difficult subject matters such as statistics and econometrics accessible to undergraduates, in no small part due to his open and winning personality," said Kamal Saggi, Frances and John Downing Family Professor and Chair of the Department of Economics. "We deeply mourn Dr. Olani's loss, and we extend our sincerest condolences to his family. We will keenly feel his absence, and his intellectual legacy will endure through the students he inspired."
Olani was also a dedicated husband and father.
A former student wrote on Olani's obituary tribute page: "I never saw Professor Olani without a smile on his face. He came to class every day excited. Not only could you tell how passionate he was about the subjects he taught, but he also cared about his students. He always made us laugh with sweet stories about his daughter and wife."
Olani was laid to rest on June 18 at Christ Church Memorial Gardens in Nashville. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
