LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. -- The Penn State Board of Trustees granted emeritus status to two former members, Dave Jones and Anne Riley, recognizing them for distinguished service during their 15-year tenures.
“Both Anne Riley and David Jones have served with distinction as Penn State Trustees,” said Keith Eckel, chairman of the board's Governance and Long Range Planning Committee. “No one has ever been more loyal to the University or more dedicated than Anne. She made many difficult decisions during her years of service and always made the decision based not on her personal preference but what was best for Penn State.
“Dave Jones was truly the conscience of the board and always asked the tough questions that thoroughly probed the issues and assured that no decision would be made without thorough analysis," Eckel said. "Their outstanding service has been invaluable. I look forward to their future contributions as emeriti trustees.”
Although retired from voting and serving as officers, Penn State's trustee emeriti continue to serve on the board as their schedules permit.
Jones, a former assistant managing editor for The New York Times and alumni appointee to the Board of Trustees, served from 1997 to 2012.
For seven years, he was a Wall Street Journal reporter in New York and Pittsburgh. Since 1963, he worked for The New York Times in Detroit, Washington and New York. As national editor, he directed the Times national news report for 14 years, including coverage of four presidential elections. He later served as editor of national editions and assistant managing editor.
A native of Connellsville, Pa., Jones received his bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Penn State in 1954. He was editor of The Daily Collegian and a member of Parmi Nous alumni interest group and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He also has a master of arts degree in American history from New York University (1961) and was a U.S. Air Force officer. He received Penn State's Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1979 and the Alumni Fellow Award in 1987.
Riley, a retired English teacher who worked 31 years at State College High School, was elected to the board by alumni in 1997 and served until 2012.
A native of Centre County, Riley is former president of the Penn State Alumni Association, serving on its council and executive board for 18 years, during which time she was part of the building committee for the Hintz Family Alumni Center. She helped to establish the Alumni Association's Penn State Distinguished Teaching Fellow Award and to expand international alumni programs, specifically Penn State/U.K./Cambridge.
Riley graduated from Penn State in the College of the Liberal Arts with a bachelor of arts degree in English in 1964, and a master of arts degree in English in 1975. Riley received the Lion's Paw Medal for service to the University in 2004 and the Alumni Service to Penn State Award in the College of the Liberal Arts in 1998. She also is an Honorary Lion Ambassador.