John R. “Jack” Stafford
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES, MAY 17, 2015
Citation presented by Kirsten Guss
Associate Professor of Biology, John R. & Inge Paul Stafford
Chair in Bioinformatics
Conferring of the degree by Nancy A. Roseman, President
Chairman of the board. Chief executive officer. Board member. Lawyer. Supporter. Alumnus. Athlete. Friend. Grandfather. Brother. Husband. Father. Jack.
All of these terms describe John R. Stafford, today’s recipient of a Doctor of Philanthropy honorary degree.
Jack’s connection to Dickinson began when he arrived on campus as a member of the class of 1959. Jack made his mark here by participating in many sports, clubs, and organizations. But Jack would probably argue that his greatest accomplishment at Dickinson was meeting the woman who would become his wife of more than 50 years, Inge Paul, class of 1958. Although we are honoring Jack today, it is difficult to talk about him without mentioning Inge. They were that kind of team.
After leaving Dickinson, Jack and Inge moved beyond the limestone walls together. Jack earned a law degree from The George Washington University Law School, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of The Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. Jack joined the company now known as Wyeth in 1970 as general counsel. He remained with this company for over 30 years, ascending through leadership positions. He served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the company for 25 years. During Jack’s tenure as CEO, Wyeth very nearly tripled its annual net revenue to 14.6 billion dollars. By Jack’s side, in step with his success, Inge earned a master’s degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and then a doctorate from Rutgers University Graduate School of Education. She put these degrees to use during her career as an educator and practicing psychologist. In fact, on this stage in 2005, Dr. Inge Paul Stafford was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Psychology.
Jack and Inge had personal successes to match their professional ones. They had four daughters, Carolyn, Jennifer, Christina, and Charlotte, who now have families and careers and achievements of their own. We thank you for joining us today as we honor your father.
I met Jack in 2001, when I joined Dickinson as new faculty member in the biology department. I actually never knew him as the businessman. I just knew him as the relaxed retiree, the doting grandfather, the proud father, the attentive husband to Inge, the gracious host, the big smile, the one who always asked how I was doing, the supporter of Dickinson.
Graduates, it is unlikely that you had the opportunity to meet Jack. I hope you did. But if you did not, you may still feel as if you know both Jack and Inge, because evidence of their generosity to Dickinson is dappled like sunlight across the campus. Perhaps you have studied in the Stafford Reading Room on the first floor of the Library. Or maybe you have seen the Stafford Teaching Lab in Dana Hall. Perhaps you have attended a class or seminar in the Stafford Auditorium in the Rector Science Complex. Or completed a research project in the beautiful Dr. Inge P. Stafford Greenhouse for Teaching and Research. The day of that dedication was the last time I saw Jack, who passed away in April of last year, almost two years to the day after Inge.
Students, a handful of you have been personally supported by the generosity of the Staffords, as recipients of The Inge Paul and John R. Stafford Scholarship. If so, you have access to funds to support a summer or two of research. Notably, they also established the Stafford Endowed Chair in Bioinformatics, which I am so fortunate to hold. I feel as if Jack and Inge have been the godparents of my career at Dickinson. Carolyn, Jennifer, Christina, and Charlotte, I thank you for sharing your parents with me, with all of us.
Others have also been the beneficiaries of Jack and Inge’s generosity. They were active supporters of the Central Park Conservancy and the Metropolitan Opera, and their church, The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell.
Jack and Inge’s gifts to Dickinson honored their careers in health care and related industries, and their belief that a liberal arts and sciences education is essential for a successful career and fulfilling life. Jack and Inge were the best examples of both, successful careers and fulfilling lives.
President Roseman, for his legacy of generosity to Dickinson, it is my heartfelt honor to present John R. Stafford in memoriam for the honorary degree of Doctor of Philanthropy.
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John R. “Jack” Stafford, upon the recommendation of the Faculty to the Board of Trustees, and by its mandamus, I confer upon you the Degree of Philanthropy, honoris causa, with all the rights, privileges, and distinction thereunto appertaining, in token of which I present you with this diploma and cause you to be invested with the hood of Dickinson College appropriate to the degree.
Honorary Degree Recipients