Ithaca College’s Communication College, the Park School is named after Roy H. Park. Let’s first go through a run-down of things you probably don’t know about the man behind the moniker.
Was born in 1910 in Dobson, North Carolina
Attended N.C. State, majoring in Business Administration and writing for the school paper, the Technician
Moved to Ithaca in 1942 to take a job (The building next to Viva Taqueria is named after Park).
Began a Communications Consortium, controlling seven television stations, seven AM and seven FM radio stations, as well as a number of publications.
At one time, Forbes listed Park as one of the forty richest men in the U.S.
Park sat on the Board of Trustees at Ithaca College for a number of years and the school was named after him in 1989.
His likeness can be seen in the lobby of the school – near the coffee kiosk towards the stairs.
Park himself
But take a closer look, down at the wrists.
double-wristing
A watch on each hand. Take Forbes’ word for it – the man was wealthy. But philanthropic, too. Since 1997, The Park Foundation has left over $12 million in scholarships to help over 170 students.
