James H. Ottaway Jr. ’18 HON

James H. Ottaway Jr. ’18 HON is a retired journalist, newspaper executive, philanthropist and longtime friend of SUNY New Paltz.

As former chairman and chief executive officer of Ottaway Newspapers, Ottaway carried on the legacy of his father, James Ottaway Sr., overseeing 20 daily newspapers across the United States. He served as a director of Dow Jones & Company, Inc., and held positions as a senior vice president and president of the international and magazine divisions.

In 2000, Ottaway and his wife, Mary ’70g (Elementary Education), established the College’s first and only endowed professorship in journalism named in honor of Ottaway’s late father.

Over the course of nearly two decades, the James H. Ottaway Sr. Visiting Professorship has brought one visiting professor to campus each spring. As a result, hundreds of students have had opportunities to study and work alongside Pulitzer, Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalists.

Ottaway is a graduate of Yale University, and was recognized by SUNY New Paltz with an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree in 2018.

Distinguished Speaker Series

This series is made possible by the SUNY New Paltz Foundation, Inc., the School of Science & Engineering, generous support from Dr. Scott A. Siegel '78 and Sandra (Rosovsky) Siegel, other donors, and by the following major sponsors to date:

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