9 minute read
Main Feature
Members of the Oakley family, for generations one
of the most prominent families in the tri-state region,
have made the largest single philanthropic investment
in the history of Quincy University. The university
received a gift of $6,500,000, thanks to the generous
financial support of multiple branches and several
generations of the Oakley family. In response
to this gift and the past philanthropic support
extended to Quincy University and the tri-state
region by members of the Oakley family,
the university permanently renamed its
School of Business, the Oakley School of Business.
by Jen Wingerter ’13
Oakley Family Gift
Through personal example and business leadership, the Oakley family has a long and distinguished history of supporting the institutions and social service organizations critical to the region’s quality of life and success.
Charles L. Miller, Edmund M. Botsford, and Hedley J. Eaton purchased the Quincy Herald Company, publisher of the Quincy Daily Herald. Ray became an owner of the Herald.
Early 1891 Dec. 1891 1909 circa 1913
Ray Miller Oakley, a nephew to Miller and cousin of Botsford and Eaton, joins the Herald as an office boy. Soon Aaron Burr and Hannah Miller Oakley, Ray’s parents, moved to Quincy, and Aaron started working for the Herald. Aaron and Ray were the first two generations of Oakleys in the business. Ray became the Business Manager of the Herald. He eventually served as Secretary/Treasurer and Manager of Quincy Newspapers, Inc (QNI).
It is important to support things that have a positive impact on our community and area; to help those who need help and, at the same time, continue to grow the quality of life here. Further, the more we all work together in supporting people and organizations through philanthropy, we create an understanding of the importance of the common good.
-Ralph M. Oakley,
1980 business graduate and QU Board of Trustees Member
Quincy Newspapers, Inc. and Quincy Herald-Whig formed when the Quincy Whig Journal (owned by the Lindsay family) and the Quincy Daily Herald joined forces. The Oakley and Lindsay families worked together from the merger until the sale in 2021. QNI expanded into broadcasting with the first FM commercial radio station in Quincy, under the direction of Thomas C. Oakley.
1926 Late 1920’s 1947 1948
Ray’s sons, Allen M. Oakley and Thomas C. Oakley became the family’s third generation to join the newspaper industry full-time after their college educations.
QNI and other investors bought WGEM AM and combined it with QNI’s FM broadcast operations.
Each generation of the Oakley family has taught the importance of philanthropy to the next as a central moral theme. The family believes benevolence is crucial for a community to not only survive but thrive.
“My parents led by example with their volunteerism my entire life. They showed my brother Peter and me that philanthropy is more than giving money,” said Harold B. (Hal) Oakley, a current member of the QU Board of Trustees. “Yes, financial resources are critical, but you should also demonstrate your commitment and inspire others to do the same with an investment of your time and energy to champion important causes. My wife Kathy and I are pleased we can do both at this stage of our lives.” Quincy University has always been a part of the Oakley family’s focus on community involvement and public service because of its importance to the community.
QNI introduced television to the tri-state area with WGEM-TV.
1953 1962
Four-years-long construction began of a new building and renovations of an existing building at 5th and Jersey to house The Herald-Whig and QNI corporate offices. QNI and Continental Cablevision Inc. of Boston form Quincy Cablevision, which began by serving cable subscribers in Quincy, Hamilton, and Keokuk, Iowa, in 1968. QNI exited cable in 1974 to focus on the expansion of its TV broadcasting business.
1965 1968
The company purchased the Hotel Quincy and began a four-year renovation effort of the hotel facility and the studios and offices of WGEMAM-FM and TV, which were housed in that building.
QU’s commitment to deep learning and pursuit of deep success for its students shines in a cluttered, confusing world. QU prepares its students to be engaged citizens in all aspects of life by cultivating their mind, body, and spirit. In addition, QU is a critical employer and powerful source of culture and intellectual opportunity for our larger region.
-Harold B. (Hal) Oakley,
Current QU Board of Trustees Member
The Oakley-Lindsay Foundation was established to support QNI’s communities.
1969 1969 1970-2019 1995
Beginning in the 1970s, QNI began a major expansion into television. The company continued to expand and acquire stations and stations groups until 2019 under the executive leadership of Thomas A. Oakley, a fourth-generation family member, and Ralph M. Oakley, a fifth-generation family member.
QNI expands its newspaper operation, joining with a group of publishers to purchase the New Jersey Herald in Newton, N.J., and becoming the sole owner in 1985. Oakley-Lindsay Civic Center opened thanks in part to a gift from the Oakley-Lindsay Foundation, Lela Lindsay and Mary S. Oakley.
Members of the Oakley family have graduated from QU, served on the board, led fundraising campaigns, funded the Oakley Family scholarship, taught classes, and contributed to the building of the university’s Health and Fitness Center in 2000 and the Quincy Media, Inc. Broadcast Studio in 2017.
“I hope people look at the myriad of ways that QU impacts our city and region, really in more ways than any other organization or institution,” said Ralph. “It provides opportunities in education, has religious application, is a major employer, provides cultural opportunities, entertainment, and athletics. There is almost no part of life on which it doesn’t have a positive impact.” The connection to QU has also been very personal.
The personal, meaningful impact that a quality education can provide is priceless. I can’t imagine where Quincy would be without Quincy University from educational, economic, and moral standpoints. My QU education was crucial in building skills that allowed me to achieve much of what I’ve accomplished in my career.
-David Oakley Jr.
1984 graduate
The company began centralization of some operations of their stations making them pioneers in that effort.
QNI began to expand into various digital media platforms. The company changed its name to Quincy Media, Inc. to reflect its industry diversity.
2000 Early 2000’s 2016 2021
Quincy Media sold the Quincy Herald-Whig and the Hannibal Courier-Post to Phillips Media Group and its television stations across 16 media markets to Gray Television, Inc.
Other Oakley family members, including Peter A. (Tony) Oakley and David R. Oakley, Sr. (both fourth generation), and Mary Oakley Winters (fifth generation), had executive roles at the company. David Oakley, Jr., Tim Oakley, Peter A. Oakley II, and Harold B. (Hal) Oakley (also fifth generation) and sixth-generation family members Tom Van Ness, Ben Van Ness, Dustin Hall, and Lesley Van Ness also had important roles with the company.
From weddings in the QU Chapel, attending the Mart Heinen Christmas tournament games, or QU’s College for Kids in grade school, hosting QU faculty in their homes, to graduation, QU entwines into the hearts and lives of the Oakley family.
“My first memory of QU, Quincy College at the time, was when I was about three or four years old,” said David. “I was in the car with mom, and we drove on what was then Vine Street in front of the college. She pointed up the flight of stone steps to a beautiful brick building. She told me that my dad, David Sr. was up there working hard for us. It was a powerful memory for sure.” The Oakley family recognizes the meaningful importance of QU. Through their gift, they want to invest in the next generation’s education and ensure future Hawks can create memories on the campus of QU. They want to see programs continue to improve and grow. “We wish for the investment to further enhance the opportunities available for the students in the Oakley School of Business. QU’s business school is already producing excellent graduates. These resources will take the school to the next level,” said Hal. They also hope that their gift will inspire others to give and invest in the future of QU. “Our family’s gift to Quincy University will, hopefully, help the school continue to fulfill its educational mission in the Franciscan tradition. It will also help the school to grow, adding students and faculty over time which further enhances our region. I hope as well, our gift will encourage others to support QU,” said Ralph.
Scholarships New Resources Visionary Investment Student Finanical Aid
The Oakley family has made a bold investment in Quincy University. Their gift will make a lasting impact on the decades and centuries to come.
FIRST and building on the family's previous and generous scholarship support of QU students, the Oakley family has made a major commitment to scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students in what has become the Oakley School of Business. With these scholarships, many future business students will become Oakley Scholars and have the opportunity to afford a QU education. SECOND, the Oakley family gift will create important new resources for the students, faculty, and staff of the Oakley School, which will enhance faculty recruitment, aid in faculty development, and allow cutting-edge upgrades to multiple classrooms used for business courses. THIRD the family has made a visionary investment in the next comprehensive fundraising campaign for the university. By underwriting the work of fundraising, the Oakleys have helped us spread the good news about Quincy University and create the best possible future for QU, in which philanthropy promotes institutional excellence. FOURTH the Oakley gift will help the university meet the immediate needs of students affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic. At a time when institutions like QU experienced many financial setbacks, the generosity of the Oakleys and other donors have sustained and strengthened our work with and for students.
