Ralph M. Oakley to Deliver QU’s 159th Spring Commencement Address
Ralph M. Oakley ’80 will deliver the keynote address during the Quincy University’s 159th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 14 at 2 p.m. in the QU Football Stadium (20th and Sycamore).
Ralph M. Oakley is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Quincy Media, Inc., a business that operated two daily newspapers, two radio stations, and television stations in 16 markets. He is a member of the fifth generation of the Oakley family to work for Quincy Media, Inc., a company owned by the Oakley and Lindsay families. Oakley joined the company in the mid -’70s and served as President and CEO beginning in 2009 after holding various operation and management positions at WGEM (Quincy, Ill.), WSJV (South Bend, Ind.) and WVVA (Bluefield, W.Va.). Ralph Oakley became vice president and general manager of WGEM in 1988, moved to the Quincy corporate staff, and joined the company’s Board of Directors in 1993. He retired when the company sold its stations to Gray Media Group and its newspapers to Phillips Media in 2021.
As president and CEO of Quincy Media, Inc., Ralph Oakley continued the Oakley family tradition of significant involvement in community and industry activities.
Oakley is a past member of the National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors and previously served on its Executive Committee. He also served on the Television Bureau of Advertising Board of Directors and the ABC Affiliate Board of Governors. He is a former chairperson of the NBC Affiliates Association and the Illinois Broadcasters Association. Oakley has been the recipient of many prestigious awards in recognition of his career contributions to the broadcast industry and the community at large.
Oakley was the founding chairperson of the Community Foundation serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri and is a current member and former chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Quincy University.
Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University is a small Catholic university emphasizing the sciences, liberal arts and the professions. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate and adult education programs integrating practical experience and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with students to design customized success plans to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. QU is a member of NCAA Division II for intercollegiate athletics. For more information, please visit qnx1.xyschool.net or contact the Office of Community Relations at (217) 228-5275 or communityrelations@xyschool.net. Quincy University. Success by Design.
