James J. Whalen
Encyclopedia
James J. Whalen was an American psychologist and educational administrator who served as president of Ithaca College
from 1975 to 1997.
Ithaca's endowment
and reserves grew during Whalen's 22-year tenure from $9 million to some $150 million; total assets quadrupled to over $300 million. Ithaca's enrollment rose by over 25 percent, the number of degree programs more than doubled, and the size of the faculty increased by over 50 percent. In addition, 15 academic and residential buildings were added to the campus and most of the existing facilities were completely renovated. To honor his accomplishments, the School of Music's greatly expanded facility was dedicated as the James J. Whalen Center for Music in 1999.
Upon stepping down as president, Whalen was named president emeritus and awarded the honorary degree of doctor of humane letters. In 1999 the Ithaca College Alumni Association named in his honor the James J. Whalen Meritorious Service Award, which recognizes distinguished achievements and contributions to the College by non-graduates.
Born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania
, Whalen graduated in 1950 from Franklin and Marshall College where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau
Fraternity. He held master's and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from Pennsylvania State University
, earned in 1952 and 1955, respectively. A licensed clinical psychologist and member of the U.S. Naval Reserve, Whalen practiced at the Veterans Administration
Hospital in Pittsburgh from 1955 to 1958. Before coming to Ithaca College he served as president of Newton College
, in Massachusetts. He had previously been executive vice president of Ohio University
and assistant director and member of the faculty of the European division of the University of Maryland University College
. He was awarded honorary doctor of laws degrees from both Newton College of the Sacred Heart
and Ohio University
. Whalen was an honorary member of the Delta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
national music fraternity.
Whalen was active in state and national higher education associations. He served as chairman of the boards of directors of the American Council on Education
, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
, and New York's Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities. His contributions to college athletics included chairing the Division III subcommittee of the Presidents Commission of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
and co-chairing the NCAA Task Force on Gender Equity. He also served as chair of the board of visitors of Air University (United States Air Force) and member of the board of visitors of the Marine Corps University
.
In a 1986 Exxon Foundation study, President Whalen was named one of the nation's top-100 higher education chief executive officers. He received the USAF Exceptional Service Award in 1990 and was made an honorary member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
in 1995. In 1997 NAICU gave him the Henry Paley Memorial Award for outstanding service.
Whalen died September 6, 2001, in Boston.
Ithaca College
Ithaca College is a private college located on the South Hill of Ithaca, New York. The school was founded by William Egbert in 1892 as a conservatory of music. The college has a strong liberal arts core, but also offers several pre-professional programs and some graduate programs. The college is...
from 1975 to 1997.
Biography
As Ithaca's sixth president, James J. Whalen led the College through a time of unprecedented growth: in academic and co-curricular programs, in the size and caliber of the faculty, in the number and quality of the students, and in physical and fiscal resources.Ithaca's endowment
Financial endowment
A financial endowment is a transfer of money or property donated to an institution. The total value of an institution's investments is often referred to as the institution's endowment and is typically organized as a public charity, private foundation, or trust....
and reserves grew during Whalen's 22-year tenure from $9 million to some $150 million; total assets quadrupled to over $300 million. Ithaca's enrollment rose by over 25 percent, the number of degree programs more than doubled, and the size of the faculty increased by over 50 percent. In addition, 15 academic and residential buildings were added to the campus and most of the existing facilities were completely renovated. To honor his accomplishments, the School of Music's greatly expanded facility was dedicated as the James J. Whalen Center for Music in 1999.
Upon stepping down as president, Whalen was named president emeritus and awarded the honorary degree of doctor of humane letters. In 1999 the Ithaca College Alumni Association named in his honor the James J. Whalen Meritorious Service Award, which recognizes distinguished achievements and contributions to the College by non-graduates.
Born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania
Pottsville, Pennsylvania
Pottsville is the only city in and the county seat of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 15,549 at the 2000 census. The city lies along the west bank of the Schuylkill River, north-west of Philadelphia...
, Whalen graduated in 1950 from Franklin and Marshall College where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau is a U.S. national collegiate fraternity.-History:Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity was founded in the Union Literary Society Hall of Miami University's Old Main Building in Oxford, Ohio on March 17, 1906...
Fraternity. He held master's and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
, earned in 1952 and 1955, respectively. A licensed clinical psychologist and member of the U.S. Naval Reserve, Whalen practiced at the Veterans Administration
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
Hospital in Pittsburgh from 1955 to 1958. Before coming to Ithaca College he served as president of Newton College
Newton College of the Sacred Heart
Newton College of the Sacred Heart was a small women's liberal arts college in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. It opened in 1946 and merged with Boston College in June 1974....
, in Massachusetts. He had previously been executive vice president of Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
and assistant director and member of the faculty of the European division of the University of Maryland University College
University of Maryland University College
The University of Maryland University College is located in the unincorporated community of Adelphi in Prince George's County, Maryland in the United States. Serving over 90,000 students worldwide, UMUC is the largest 4-year public university in Maryland and one of the largest distance learning...
. He was awarded honorary doctor of laws degrees from both Newton College of the Sacred Heart
Newton College of the Sacred Heart
Newton College of the Sacred Heart was a small women's liberal arts college in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. It opened in 1946 and merged with Boston College in June 1974....
and Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
. Whalen was an honorary member of the Delta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is an American collegiate social fraternity for men with a special interest in music...
national music fraternity.
Whalen was active in state and national higher education associations. He served as chairman of the boards of directors of the American Council on Education
American Council on Education
The American Council on Education is a United States organization, established in 1918, comprising over 1,800 accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities and higher education-related associations, organizations, and corporations....
, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
Founded in 1976, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities is an organization of private US colleges and universities...
, and New York's Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities. His contributions to college athletics included chairing the Division III subcommittee of the Presidents Commission of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
and co-chairing the NCAA Task Force on Gender Equity. He also served as chair of the board of visitors of Air University (United States Air Force) and member of the board of visitors of the Marine Corps University
Marine Corps University
The Marine Corps University reports to the United States Marine Corps Training And Education Command. It was established on August 1, 1989 by General Alfred M...
.
In a 1986 Exxon Foundation study, President Whalen was named one of the nation's top-100 higher education chief executive officers. He received the USAF Exceptional Service Award in 1990 and was made an honorary member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
in 1995. In 1997 NAICU gave him the Henry Paley Memorial Award for outstanding service.
Whalen died September 6, 2001, in Boston.