2004 Founders (Casey) Award Honoree

The recipient of the 2004 SCUP Founder's (Casey) Award is John D. (Jack) Telfer. This award is very fitting since Jack actually was one of the founders of this organization. SCUP was founded in 1966, but it was a "gleam in the founders' eyes" as early as 1958 when a memo was written proposing a meeting of campus planners. Jack drafted the "resolutions of organization" which were reviewed by about 70 people attending an April 17, 1966 meeting at the University of Pennsylvania. The resolutions were adopted, the name was approved and a board of directors was elected. The first board meeting was held the same day and on the next day SCUP met in a second session where Jack was appointed the first executive director. He served as the Executive Director for seven years and later served as President for four years.

"Jack Telfer's work in getting us set up and organized was invaluable," said co-founder Albert R. Wagner. "The Society could not have advanced without it." In addition, Jack's wife, Ginnie and their sons were important assets to the early group, serving up support and hospitality including hosting an informal reception at the Telfer home before the July 1967 board meeting. Jack holds a Bachelor of Architecture and Masters of City Planning degrees from the University of Michigan as well as an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Eastern Michigan University. He has held vice-president positions at Columbia University in New York City, the State University of New York at Buffalo and at the University of Tampa in Florida. He also served as Chief Operations Officer at Queens College of the City University of New York on Long Island until 1985 when he moved to Marion, Ohio to retire. Since 1995, he has been involved with the Marion County Park District and has been Parks Director since 1998.