John J. Graham Jr.: Penn State Board of Trustees candidate
Biographical information
Philadelphia
Age: 37
Education: B.A. political science, 1999; J.D., Temple University, 2003
Work: general counsel, Great Valley Publishing Co. Inc., Spring City
Experience and activities: board of directors, Building Industry Association of Philadelphia; Future Leaders Committee of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Eastern Pennsylvania; Board of Governors of the Racquet Club of Philadelphia; Board of Advisors of the Rutgers University Financial and Legal Research Institute; Phi Beta Kappa; Lion Ambassadors, director of internal relations; president, Sigma Phi Epsilon; student representative to the University Conduct Board; University Student Government, town senator
Please describe your motivations for running for the Board of Trustees.
Transparency and accountability are two fundamental principles of effective governance.
There has been much discussion about these principles over the past 21/2 years, yet some alumni and trustees still feel excluded. The university needs meaningful mechanisms in place to ensure that the board’s decision making function is open to the alumni and that the board is responsible to answer for its decisions.
It is the board’s responsibility to demonstrate that the viewpoints of the alumni are being heard and that the board is actively considering alumni viewpoints in its decision-making processes.
My single motivation for running for the board is to increase transparency and accountability. I have developed a strategy for engaging alumni to share their opinions regarding issues facing the University, as well as suggestions for how the board should address those issues. This strategy is efficient and can be conducted in a manner that will allow me to communicate data about alumni sentiment in real time. Each Penn Stater will know that his or her feedback is meaningful and is being taken into consideration. I am prepared to enact this strategy, at my own cost, beginning on my first day of service — thereby creating a concrete measure of transparency and accountability.
I will tirelessly work to maximize the transfer of information between alumni and board, as well as for the advancement of the university.
Please describe your motivations for running for the Board of Trustees.
There are many challenges facing the university, but the following three are of most pressing importance:
If elected, what position would you support on the topic of Penn State board of trustees reform?
If elected, my position on board of trustees reform would be to:
If elected, what position would you support on the topic of Penn State board of trustees reform?
Joe Paterno dedicated his life to Penn State. If elected, my position with regard to Joe Paterno would be to make every effort to ensure that his legacy highlights his contributions to Penn State’s community and academics, as well as his unparalleled achievements in coaching.
Is there anything else you want voters to know about you and your candidacy?
I am not an insider and am running for the board of trustees only for the purpose of being an agent of communication between the board and its constituents. I did not seek the endorsement of any group or organization, and am accountable only to Penn State students, faculty and alumni. My communication plan will engage every student, faculty member and alumnus who wants to be heard. Simply email me and tell me that you want to be involved. I will include you in all of my communications and seek your input throughout the course of my term.
More info: JG@Graham4PSU.com, Graham4PSU.com
This story was originally published April 11, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "John J. Graham Jr.: Penn State Board of Trustees candidate."