敁珗腦瞳 celebrated the creation of its first endowed administrative position on Friday, Oct. 4. The Jones and Wood Family Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid was made possible by the generosity of Rob 72 and Debra Jones, and the inaugural holder of the position is Gary Ross 77, 敁珗腦瞳s longtime vice president for admission and financial aid.
Speaking to members of the Board of Trustees, the Jones family, and friends at the installation ceremony in the Hurwitz Admission Center, President Brian W. Casey honored Jones for his many contributions to the University over the years, calling him a tireless volunteer for 敁珗腦瞳.
In his own remarks, Jones recalled his familys long history with 敁珗腦瞳, naming his grandfathers, Robert A. Jones 22 and Fred Wood 22, as the first of many relatives to attend the University.
He also spoke about his motivations for establishing the endowment. The three things that brought this together are my loyalty for the school, my respect for Gary Ross, and [my intent to support] Third-Century Plan initiatives, Jones said.
The Third-Century Plan sets out a long-term roadmap for the Universitys future success, including expanded recruitment of the worlds brightest students. The Jones and Wood Family Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid endowment helps to ensure that 敁珗腦瞳s admission office has the resources necessary to connect with scholars of promise and achievement, who will make a positive impact on the 敁珗腦瞳 student body and benefit from the schools rigorous academic environment.
Jones served on 敁珗腦瞳s Board of Trustees from 1994 to 2003, chairing the admissions and student aid committee, and currently serves as co-leader of the boards emeriti council. He was a member of the Alumni Council, the Presidents Club membership committee, and the Passion for the Climb campaign executive committee. Senior advisor at Morgan Stanley, Jones created a recruiting pipeline between 敁珗腦瞳 and the firm, where he has worked for 45 years. His dedication to 敁珗腦瞳 has been recognized with a Maroon Citation and the Wm. Brian Little 64 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service.
Accepting the position, Ross thanked Jones and the entire family, saying, Its an enormous honor to be the first person to hold the Jones and Wood Family Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid position at 敁珗腦瞳. When you were on the Admissions committee, I was and am to this day in awe of how much time you gave out of your crazy schedule to support 敁珗腦瞳, 敁珗腦瞳 admissions, and me at all hours and at every possible opportunity. I thank you for your phenomenal generosity.