QU Board of Trustees Adds Three New Members

Quincy University’s Board of Trustees has elected three new members. Hal Oakley, and Mary Winters, both of Quincy Ill. and Martin (Marty) Schafer ’94, of Cleveland Ohio, began their service in June and joined the current board of 26 men and women from across the country, including 20 Quincy University alumni.

“We are grateful to have the leadership and expertise provided by the distinguished and talented members of our Board of Trustees,” said Brian McGee, president of the university.  “Our new and continuing trustees are essential to the success and professionalism of QU, while former trustees are wonderful advocates for a university they know very well.  I join our faculty, staff and students in thanking all our trustees for their contributions.”

Oakley is an attorney and Chairman of Schmiedeskamp Robertson Neu and Mitchell LLP. He focuses his practice on corporate and other business law (including transactional health care law), mergers and acquisitions. He represents both publicly and privately held companies, hospitals and related health care providers, nonprofits and many individuals. As an outgrowth of his business practice, which began with a St. Louis law firm in 1993, Oakley is also engaged in estate planning, including business and wealth succession planning, for many individual clients with significant business and personal assets. He is extensively involved in the community, particularly in organizations committed to the social, educational and cultural betterment of society. He serves on the Quincy Public Schools Foundation, The Blessing Foundation, Inc., and is a member of the Quincy University Endowment & Planned Giving Advisory Committee.

Winters is the vice president of Quincy Media and a life-long Quincyan with a passion for community service.  After studying journalism at the University of Missouri from 1978-81, she joined Quincy Media on the newspaper-side of the business.  Winters has been involved in fundraising and committee work for the YMCA, the Quincy Art Center, the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County, John Wood Community College, Friends of Woodland Cemetery, the Good News of Christmas, Trees for Tomorrow and serves on the Board of Trustees for Blessing Health Services and the steering committee for the Quincy, Ill. Strategic Plan.

Schafer is the Vice President of National Accounts at John Hancock. He is responsible for oversight of all National Account relationships as well as management of the National Account Team. He was a founding member and the executive managing director of Saybrus Partners in Columbia Station, Ohio until June 2018. During his time at Saybrus, he was responsible for the Edward Jones Life Insurance Distribution division.  The channel grew to over $50 million dollars in sales over the course of eight years, making it the top life insurance distribution partner within Edward Jones. Schafer has been honored with the 2011 Saybrus Regional Manager of the Year. Schafer earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from Quincy University.

“We are excited to welcome these three new trustees to the board,” said Del Mitchell, chair of the QU Board of Trustees. “Their backgrounds and experiences will serve us well as we continue to move the university forward.”

After nine faithful years of service on the board, Mike McClain’s term expired in May. He joined the board in 2010 and most recently served as the chair for the Presidential Search Committee. McClain’s professional life was as a lawyer and lobbyist in Illinois. He served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1972-1983 and was the assistant democratic leader in the General Assembly. McClain’s wife, Lucinda McClain, is a 1971 Quincy College graduate. Lucinda served nine years as a trustee on the Board where she was also the chair. Mike and Lucinda are representatives of the “Michael and Lucinda McClain”, “Tom and Bette Awerkamp” and “Mac and Marge McClain” scholarships at Quincy University.

“Quincy University owes a debt of gratitude to Mike McClain for his exemplary service and leadership on the Board of Trustees, “said Mitchell. “Mike’s vision helped steer QU through some very challenging times”

Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University (www.quincy.edu) is a Catholic, co-educational, residential university offering undergraduate, graduate, and adult education programs that integrate liberal arts, active learning, practical experience, and Franciscan values. Quincy University’s intercollegiate sports are members of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference for men and women. For more information, please contact the Quincy University Office of Community Relations by calling (217) 228-5275.