Posted: March 2, 2020

Forestry graduate receives Penn State's highest alumni honor for his commitment to the University.

Jack Storer and his wife Mary enjoy returning to Penn State when they can. They live in Madison, Wisconsin.

Jack Storer and his wife Mary enjoy returning to Penn State when they can. They live in Madison, Wisconsin.

John "Jack" Storer's legacy of accomplishment and leadership began as a child and continued throughout his career.

Born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, the 1950 Penn State alumnus, who holds a bachelor's degree in forestry, now has another commendation to add to his impressive inventory of achievement: the Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award, which is the highest honor presented by the University to alumni.

"Jack has enjoyed a lifetime of successes in his personal and professional lives, all of which are the result of his strong work ethic, his motivation to do what's right, and his commitment to excellence," said Rick Roush, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Storer is a retired executive vice president of the former Osmose Wood Preserving Co. in Buffalo, New York. His 62-year dedication to Osmose, a company that specialized in wood-preserving chemicals and provided a service to utilities, launched Storer to become a worldwide leader in the industry. Beginning as a manager of the mining division at Osmose, Storer eventually became the company's executive vice president in 1985. Following his retirement in 1990, he served Osmose through consulting and board membership.

A World War II veteran, Storer will be honored on November 16 at the Penn State versus Indiana football game. He will serve as the honorary captain and be introduced, along with other World War II veterans, to the crowd in the first quarter.

Storer's selection to serve as honorary captain recognizes his former role at Penn State as a football player, including participating in the 1947 Cotton Bowl that ended in a 13-13 tie with Southern Methodist University. At Penn State he was also a member of the Parmi Nous Honorary Society, an invitation-only society dedicated to the advancement of outstanding scholarship and student leadership, and a recipient of the Award of Merit from the All College Cabinet of Penn State for outstanding service to the University.

After graduating, Storer continued to support the college by serving on the Penn State Agricultural Sciences Stewardship Committee and the Volunteer Development Council.

His belief that students need entrepreneurial skills and experiences to be successful in their careers--and also to develop new technologies-led Storer to establish two trustee scholarships in the College of Agricultural Sciences: one in support of students in the entrepreneurship and innovation minor, and the other to aid those studying in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

"Jack firmly believes in sharing his talents and good fortune with others, as demonstrated by his longtime support of his community, Penn State, and the College of Agricultural Sciences," said Roush. "He's highly driven to elevate young people, especially Penn State students. Jack has clearly earned the honor of being named a Distinguished Alumnus by the University."

--Amy Duke

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