Quincy University Board of Trustees appoints new chair and vice-chair

QUINCY — Quincy University’s Board of Trustees has appointed Jean Buckley as the chair of the board and Hal Oakley as vice-chair. Buckley assumes the board chair position that has been held by Ralph Oakley since 2023. Ralph Oakley will remain on the board. Hal Oakley assumes the board vice-chair position that was held by Bill Metzinger who will also remain on the board.

Jean Buckley is president emeritus of the Tracy Family Foundation and served as a member of the Dot Foods, Inc. board of directors for four years. She served on the Tracy Family Council for three years and as a board member of the Community Foundation in Quincy from 1999 to 2007. Buckley was the Community Foundation chairperson for two years. She was a board member of the Association of Small Foundations (a.k.a. Exponent Philanthropy) from 2011-2019, serving as board chair for two years. Buckley served as a Steering Committee leader and Quincy Area campaign leader for QU’s GOAL 2000 campaign. She has served as a QU Board of Trustees member since 2023.

Buckley attended Quincy University from 1974-1976 and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1978.

In a press release, Buckley said, “Quincy University is producing top-notch graduates who are vital to the communities and employers in West Central Illinois and well beyond this region.” I am honored to serve in the role as chairperson of this outstanding institution.”

Harold B. (Hal) Oakley is a partner and former chair of Schmiedeskamp Robertson Neu & Mitchell LLP, a law firm with offices in Quincy. He has over 29 years of experience as a trustee and officer with higher education institutions in the Midwest. He has served as a trustee of Quincy University since 2019.

Oakley’s law practice focuses on corporate law (including both for-profit corporations and nonprofit tax-exempt organizations) and estate planning and administration.

Oakley earned a bachelor of arts from Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master of laws (taxation) from Washington University in St. Louis.

“QU is a tremendous asset to the Quincy region and all of the students it serves,” said Oakley. “I welcome the opportunity to help support the university’s leadership, faculty and staff in sustaining and growing QU.”