School of Arts & Sciences to bear Jannen name

Tri-State University's School of Arts & Sciences will be renamed in honor of a distinguished alumnus and long-time supporter, Robert L. Jannen, and his wife. The Dr. Robert L. and Dolores Jannen School of Arts & Sciences will be dedicated during Commencement 2006 ceremonies.

"There are few individuals in the history of Tri-State that have supported their alma mater with as much passion and dedication as Bob Jannen," said Dr. Earl D. Brooks II, president of Tri-State University. "We are indebted to Bob and Dolores for their loyalty and generosity. It is my hope that this recognition will bear witness to the Jannens' contributions to Tri-State and will inspire students of all walks of life to dream and achieve."

Jannen joins four other distinguished alumni who have earned a place in Tri-State history by virtue of this honor: Dr. Jerry Allen ('78) and Dr. Jorga J. Frasher ('78) Allen, the Jerry and Jorga Allen School of Engineering & Technology; Dr. Lawrence A. Franks ('59), the Franks School of Education; and Dr. Ralph W. Ketner ('39), the Ralph W. Ketner School of Business.

A 1943 graduate of the U.S. Maritime Service Cadet Academy and a veteran of World War II, Jannen entered Tri-State in 1947 and completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1950. He went on to earn a Master of Business Administration, with honors, from the University of California at Los Angeles, where he was class president.

Jannen has been a member of the TSU Board of Trustees since 1969, the second-longest tenure in school history. He served as chairman from 1988 to 1991, when the board named him chairman emeritus. He was honored by Tri-State with an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in 1975 and was selected as the Commencement speaker for the Class of 1975. He received the school's Distinguished Service Award in 1967. In 1992, he established the Jannen Renaissance Awards, given annually to one student who pursued, and one faculty member who encouraged, a breadth of education. In 2005, the Jannens helped renovate the baseball diamond, which was re-named Bob Jannen Jr. Field, in memory of their son.

During his 50-year career, Jannen held many senior positions, including president of Burnley Corporation, president of John Blue Company, and executive vice president and president of Leach Corporation, and president of Subscription Television (STV), the first pay TV system in America. In addition, he was an executive with American Machine and Foundry and held various positions with Fansteel Metallurgical Corporation and C.F. Braun Company. Also, he founded Seas, Ltd., a product development firm for electrical components.

Throughout his career, Jannen was recognized for his accomplishments. His name has appeared in Who's Who in Commerce & Industry, Who's Who in Aviation, Who's Who in the West, Leading Men in the United States, and Biographies of International Business Leaders. He holds several patents and has published many technical articles. His international travels have included speaking engagements at the Paris Air Show and before the Japanese Industrial Association.