Jack Foley, the Vice President for Government and Community Affairs and Campus Services for Clark University, was presented with the Orville Harrold Community Leadership Award by the United Way of Central Massachusetts at its Annual Celebration on May 8.

The Orville Harrold Award recognizes a person or organization that best embodies the characteristics of Orville Harrold, the former president of the Providence & Worcester Railroad, whose commitment and service to the central Massachusetts were legendary. The recipient must possess the values for which Orville was well-known: action, persistence, determination, humor, and insight. In presenting the award, United Way President Tim Garvin — a Clark University graduate (1985) — said, “At Clark University, Jack works tirelessly to renew the local area around Clark, focusing on improving business development, safety, and infrastructure. He played a key leadership role in the University Park Initiative, was instrumental in starting the nationally recognized University Park Campus School, and was the man behind the idea that allows students who meet financial eligibility and live within a certain distance from Clark University, can attend the university for free. Jack demonstrates his love of Worcester through his continual work for this community. He is never afraid to just roll up his sleeves and get things done. Jack Foley is the kind of person everyone wants on their community team!” Foley, who has been at Clark since 1976, was also lauded for his activism for the rights of people with disabilities, and for his service as an elected member of the Worcester School Committee. Foley has also held leadership positions with Seven Hills Foundation, Federation for Children with Special Needs, Regional Advisory Board for Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, the Worcester Community Action Council, YMCA, the Main South CDC Board, and the Webster Square Business Association. For many years, he has served as a Special Olympic coach.