Ithaca College president James J. Whalen and U.S. secretary of education Richard Riley will be honored by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities at the organization's annual meeting on February 6 in Washington, D.C. Whalen will receive the Henry S. Paley Memorial Award, while Riley will get the NAICU Award for Advocacy.
Named for Henry Paley, who served as president of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities of New York from 1975 until his death in 1984, the award being given to Whalen recognizes someone "who embodies the spirit of unfailing service toward the students and faculty of independent higher education" and who "sets an example for all who would seek to advance educational opportunity in the United States."
"I am deeply honored to be recognized in such distinguished company," said Whalen, who will end a 22-year term as president when he steps down from that post at the end of the academic year. "It is particularly gratifying to receive an award named for my good friend Hank Paley, with whom I had the good fortune to work for many years on behalf of New York's independent colleges and universities."
Whalen has held leadership positions with a number of higher education organizations, serving as chairman of the American Council on Education, the New York State Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, and NAICU. He has served on many other boards and advisory groups, including the Education Commission of the States Task Force on State Policy and Independent Higher Education. A well-known supporter of integrity in intercollegiate athletics, he was a charter member of the Presidents Commission of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and cochair of the NCAA Task Force on Gender Equity. For his contributions to higher education in the military, he received the Exceptional Service Award, the highest civilian honor given by the U.S. Air Force.
NAICU is the national organization representing private colleges and universities on public policy issues with the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. Founded in 1976, the association has more than 880 member institutions.