Former U.S. Ambassador James R. Jones has been named the recipient of the Rogers State University Constitution Award, which will be presented during a campus ceremony and luncheon on Monday, Nov. 3.
The ceremony and luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Centennial Center Ballroom on RSU’s Claremore Campus, 1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd. Tickets are $30 each.
Each fall since 1987, RSU has presented the Constitution Award to an Oklahoman who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution through his or her life’s work. The RSU Constitution Award was established in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.
Area high school students will participate in the event through the generosity of the event sponsors.
“Ambassador Jones has been a longtime friend of the university, and we are honored to be able to recognize him for his service to the principles of the U.S. Constitution,” said RSU President Dr. Larry Rice.
Ambassador Jones’ currently serves as chairman and CEO of ManattJones Global Strategies, LLC, based in Washington, D.C. His practice focuses on international trade, investment and commerce, business‐government relations and financial services. He has worked extensively with businesses seeking to enter or already operating in Mexico, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.
He served as United States Ambassador to Mexico from 1993 to 1997, and he represented Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1987. In Congress, he served as Chairman of the Budget Committee and was a ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee.
At the age of 25, Ambassador Jones began his public‐service at the White House. He then went on to become President Lyndon Johnsonʹs last Appointments Secretary/Chief of Staff at age 28.
Ambassador Jones’ consulting work currently focuses on business development and government relations for clients in Mexico and Latin America. Since founding ManattJones, he has assisted a wide range of U.S. businesses with a variety of commercial ventures.
His previous business experience includes his service as Chairman and CEO of the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) in New York. During his tenure at AMEX, listings, revenues and market share increased. He was also President of Warnaco International in New York. He earned a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.
For more information on the RSU Constitution Award and Luncheon, contact the RSU Office of Development at 918-343-7773.