Engineering Campaign Committee Leadership Announced

9-2-97
University Park, PA -- James E. Marley, chairman of the board of AMP Incorporated, has agreed to lead a team of alumni volunteers to help the College of Engineering in the University's upcoming capital campaign.

The goal of the coming campaign is to increase endowment support for the students and faculty at Penn State and the College of Engineering, focusing on undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, and named faculty positions. A specific dollar goal and timetable for the campaign, have not yet been established.

"Increasing these endowments will help position the College to recruit the best faculty, as well as make it more competitive in attracting top students," says Marley. "These are important issues for the College, and are integral to its strategic plan. I'm honored to help the University in this campaign."

The Engineering Campaign Committee Marley heads includes 18 engineers and business leaders from 15 geographical regions across the country. The group will help the College secure major gift support during the campaign. "Jim Marley is an outstanding leader," says Engineering Dean David N. Wormley. "During his successful career he's guided a Pennsylvania Fortune 500 company to a world leadership position in its field. He has a deep dedication and commitment to Penn State, and we are delighted he's agreed to help provide leadership for our volunteers."

Since joining AMP, Inc., in 1963, Marley has held a succession of positions of increasing responsibility, including being elected vice president in 1970, president and director in 1986, president and chief operating officer in 1990, and chairman of the board in 1993. AMP, Inc., is the world's leading producer of electrical/electronic connection devices. Founded in 1941, the company employs over 40,000 people in 44 countries and exceeded $5 billion in sales in 1996.

In addition to his Penn State aerospace engineering degree, Marley also earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering in 1963 from Drexel University. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the American Management Association. He also serves as director of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., in Lancaster, and the Harsco Corporation, Camp Hill.

Marley was chosen an Outstanding Engineering Alumnus in 1985, and honored by the Penn State Board of Trustees with the University's highest alumni award, Distinguished Alumnus, in 1994. He has been honored by Drexel as well, with their "100" Distinguished Alumni award in 1992 and a Doctorate of Engineering in 1995.

A Pennsylvania native, Marley believes strongly in providing leadership for others through his service activities. In the Harrisburg community he sits on the boards of The Kline Foundation, Inc.; the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry; Pinnacle Health Systems; the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania; the Pennsylvania Business Roundtable. He is also on the boards of the Manufacturer's Alliance for Productivity and Innovation, Inc. (MAPI) and the American Electronics Association in the Washington, D.C. area.

Marley and his wife Judy, also a Penn State graduate, have generously supported the College of Engineering in the past. They established the James and Judy Marley Graduate Fellowship in Engineering in 1994, and provided support for the College of Engineering's Building Renovation Fund during the last campaign. He gave the College's Honorary Engineering Lecture in 1993, and also spoke to engineering students on earlier occasions.

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Contact: Lani Bloomer, Engineering College Relations, at (814) 863-2132; or by e-mail at kcbdo@engr.psu.edu.