Indiana University of Pennsylvania alumna Joyce Ritenour Fairman, of DuBois, president of the Fairman Family Foundation of DuBois, has been appointed by Governor Tom Corbett and confirmed as a member of IUP's Council of Trustees. Her term will extend through October 1, 2019.
She replaces Carolyn Snyder, who served as an IUP trustee from May, 2007 to October, 2013.
“Members of the Fairman family have been long-time supporters of IUP and IUP's campus and facilities in Punxsutawney,” IUP President Michael Driscoll said. “The mission of the Fairman Family Foundation fits nicely with our service to students, and Mrs. Fairman's experience in business will be a great complement to the Council of Trustees.”
Fairman earned a Master of Business Administration Degree in 1984 and a bachelor's degree in sociology with a minor in psychology in 1976, both from IUP.
She also is currently self-employed in the oil and gas production field and is part-owner of Fairman Corporation of DuBois, an operator of natural gas wells.
The Fairman Family Foundation financially supports activities that promote the physical and mental health of young people in the local communities. The foundation was a donor to the IUP Culinary Arts Fairman Centre project in Punxsutawney, which benefited the university with a state-of-the-art teaching facility, helped to preserve a historical building in the community and revitalize the downtown Punxsutawney area.
The Fairman Family Foundation was the recipient of the inaugural IUP Gala Presidential Legacy Award for Philanthropy in 2008.
Fairman is active in her community, including serving as treasurer of the St. Catherine Church Fundraising Committee and as treasurer of the Association of Women Investors Organization. She is a past board member of DuBois Area YMCA, DuBois United Way, and DuBois Public Library, and she is a former member of the Penn State DuBois Athletics Fundraising Committee.
A native of Bridgeville, she is a graduate of Chartiers Valley High School. She and her late husband, Alan R. Fairman, are the parents of two grown children and three grandchildren.
Her son, Derek Fairman, is a 2003 IUP graduate, and Alan was a 1976 IUP graduate. Her sister-in-law, Beverly Fairman, is also an IUP graduate and her father-in-law, Roy R. Fairman, was a IUP trustee from 1989 to 1993 and was a member of the Foundation for IUP Board of Directors from 1983 to 1991. He also served on the Punxsutawney Advisory Board.
The IUP Council of Trustees is responsible for financial oversight of the university and ensuring compliance of university policy with state law.