Jackson E. Spears, Dsc (h.c.), D.Litt. (h.c.) at the alumni banquet of 1965
Jackson E. Spears (1906-2003) was a long-time participant in the functioning of the New York Medical College as a board member. His service to the college and other communities was honored many times throughout his life.
A poster featuring Jackson E. Spears is on display in the Boardroom Lobby of Sunshine Cottage.
Birth: 1906, Dallas TX
Death: July 14, 2003, new Canaan CT
Education:
At New York Medical College:
Jackson E. Spears (1906-2003) was a long-time board member of the New York Medical College whose commitment to the school and its staff, faculty, and students was so apparent that he won numerous awards from the college. He won many more awards for actions outside of the college, with a widely varied background in public organization involvement.
Some of the many organizations that Mr. Spears has served as a board member include the American Cancer Society of New York City, Child Guidance Center of Greater Stamford, Stamford Hospital, the Darien, Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Foreign Policy Administration. He also holds numerous awards from different institutions for notable work related to fields like healthcare and human relations. For his service in the human relations field, specifically, he received an award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews in New York City. Furthermore, he was made a knight of Saint Gregory by Pope John Paul II in 1992, and in 1993, he was made a knight of Malta.
As can be expected by his significant experience and accolades, Jackson Spears was a very prominent and appreciated figure at the New York Medical College. He was first elected to the college’s board of trustees in 1943, became vice chairman of the board in 1956 and chairman of the board in 1965. During his time with the college, he was even appointed acting president of the college twice. His fellow board members noted that he was an active member of as many committees as possible, including the committees for finance, nominating, and long-range planning and institutional advancement. He also took part in the decision and planning to move the college to Westchester in the early 1970s.
The New York Medical College recognized Mr. Spears work with numerous awards, including the school’s distinguished service award. He was the very first recipient of the William Cullen Bryant Award in 1983 and he is the namesake for the Jackson E Spears Community Service award that was first given at the founder’s dinner in 2000. Further appreciation and recognition for his work was shown by the awarding of two honorary degrees. In 1993, Jackson Spears was awarded an honorary doctorate of science. The school also awarded him an honorary doctorate of letters before his death in 2003.
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