[Honorary Alumni] [Medal of Merit]
John M. Jones of Athens is the retired owner of Jones
Buick-Oldsmobile-Cadillac (1950-75). An emeriti trustee of the Ohio
University Foundation Board, he served on several board committees
during his tenure from 1976 to 1994 and was a member of the National
Alumni Board of Directors from 1973 to 1982. While president from
1978 to 1980, he helped implement the Alumni Board solicitation for
the 1804 Campaign fund-raising effort. He received the Medal of Merit
Award in 1988. Currently senior trustee of the O'Bleness Foundation
and an adviser to the foundation for 17 years, Jones was instrumental
in that organization's decision to award $250,000 to the campus'
Stadium Tower Project. The foundation also has funded two endowed
professorships.
"I entered the university before World War II; therefore, I have been privileged to see the university when it was quite small and to be a graduate when it was beginning its future growth. The successful persons who have passed through Ohio University always give credit to the fine education that they received. The College of Commerce definitely prepared me for my career as an owner of three different companies. My associations with the university have provided both my wife and me with many new friends. Ohio University is one of the finest universities to provide our youth with a quality education."
