Jay Sherrerd, with daughters Anne Sherrerd (left), a 1987 Princeton graduate alumna, and Susan Sherrerd, a member of the University's class of 1986. Photo: Steve Freeman
A memorial service for John J.F. Sherrerd, who devoted many years of service to the University after he graduated in 1952, is set for Saturday, April 19. The service will begin at 10 a.m. at the Bryn Mawr (Pa.) Presbyterian Church.
Sherrerd, 78, died Wednesday, April 9, of a brain tumor at his home in Bryn Mawr.
An economics major at Princeton, he was a founding partner of Miller, Anderson and Sherrerd, a Philadelphia-based investment management firm for large institutional clients.
Sherrerd was one of very few trustees who have served on Princeton's board for two 10-year terms as a charter trustee, from 1979 to 1989 and 1990 to 2000. He served as vice chair of the Executive Committee from 1997 to 2000, and twice chaired the board's Resources Committee.
He was an dedicated fundraiser for Princeton and was particularly skilled at making compelling and persuasive solicitations for large gifts. He was a longtime member of the national Annual Giving Committee and a co-chair of the Development Leadership Committee. He played significant leadership roles in the University's last three capital campaigns, including co-chairing the Anniversary Campaign for Princeton from 1995 to 2000, which raised a record $1.14 billion.
He was a director of the Princeton University Investment Co. from 1987 to 1990 and from 1991 to 1998. He also was a trustee of the Robertson Foundation of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs from 1982 to 2007 and was the original chair of its Investment Committee, taking on the role in 1978 even before he became a trustee and serving until 2007.
"Jay Sherrerd was thoroughly and passionately devoted to Princeton," said President Shirley M. Tilghman. "He served over more than half a century as a trustee, adviser, advocate and absolutely extraordinary volunteer, and through his leadership and generosity he strengthened Princeton in countless ways. He was a tiger of the finest stripe, who proudly proclaimed his lifelong identification with his Princeton class on a license plate that read simply, Jay 52."
A full obituary is available online.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Princeton Annual Giving, P.O. Box 5357, Princeton, NJ 08543; or the John J.F. Sherrerd Memorial Scholarship Fund, Gesu School, 1700 W. Thompson St., Philadelphia, PA 19121.