Honorary Board Members

The Honorable Tom Ridge is the president and CEO of Ridge Global LLC. As the company's chief executive, he leads a team of international experts who help businesses and governments meet a range of strategic and operational needs, including risk management and global trade security, strategic business generation, technology integration, event security, crisis management, campus security and other issues that encompass a diverse portfolio.

Following the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, Tom Ridge became the first Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and, on January 24, 2003, he became the first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. During his tenure, Secretary Ridge worked with more than 180,000-plus employees from a combined 22 agencies to create an agency that facilitated the flow of people and goods, instituted layered security at air, land and seaports, developed a unified national response and recovery plan, protected critical infrastructure, integrated new technology and improved information sharing worldwide.  Tom Ridge served as Secretary of this historic and critical endeavor until February 1, 2005.

Before the events of September 11th, Tom Ridge was twice elected Governor of Pennsylvania.  He served as the state’s 43rd governor from 1995 to 2001. Governor Ridge's aggressive technology strategy helped fuel the state's advances in economic development, education, health care and the environment.

Born August 26, 1945, Ridge earned a scholarship to Harvard, graduating with honors in 1967. After his first year at The Dickinson School of Law, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. After returning to Pennsylvania and to Dickinson, he earned his law degree and, later, became one of the first Vietnam combat veterans elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served six terms.

An engaging and dynamic speaker, Secretary Ridge regularly addresses audiences throughout the world on issues such as security, terrorism, global engagement, leadership, technology and more. Additionally, he serves on public and private boards, including the Institute for Defense Analyses and the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, and is currently the chairman of the National Organization on Disability and national co-chairman of the Flight 93 Memorial Fundraising Campaign.

Sue Paterno has not had a paying job since 1963. Yet despite leaving a teaching career to raise her family, she has not stopped working. A 1962 Arts & Letters graduate of Penn State, Sue has dedicated herself to her family, her University, and her community.

At Penn State, Sue helped establish the Liberal Arts Alumni Society and the Summer Institute for Academic Achievement, a program that offers underrepresented students additional preparation for college-level work. She served as a member of the University’s National Development Council, chaired the Libraries Advisory Board, and was a volunteer for the Grand Destiny Campaign for both the College of the Liberal Arts and the University Libraries. In addition, she was the honorary co-chair of the Alumni Association’s first-ever National Service Week, the largest community service effort ever undertaken by an alumni association. In 1995, the University recognized her service to Penn State by awarding her with the Lion’s Paw. And in 1996, it named her the Renaissance Woman of the Year.

She currently sits on the University’s Leadership Gifts Committee and the National Council for Penn State Philanthropy.

Sue’s commitment to public service extends beyond her alma mater. In 1989, she began working with the Pennsylvania Special Olympics, co-chairing the opening and closing ceremonies of the summer games and joining its board in 1991. Sue and her husband Joe are involved with the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games, held each June on the University Park campus. In 2008, the Paternos were inducted into the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Hall of Fame.

She has served as chair of the United Way and honorary co-chair for its “Day of Caring.” Sue is an active member of the Penn State Catholic Community. In 2009, the Paternos were honored for their support of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association with a Lifetime of Achievement recognition.

In addition to her time, Sue has joined Joe in committing their resources to the University. In 1998, they pledged $3.5 million to endow faculty positions and scholarships as well as to support two building projects–a new interfaith spiritual center and the Penn State All-Sports Museum.

She and her husband have raised five children–all Penn State graduates. They have 17 grandchildren.

May, 2009

In December 2008, Paterno agreed to an extension through the 2011 season.

Entering his 60th season as a member of the Penn State coaching staff, Paterno is not fond of looking back, but it has been a memorable period for the legendary mentor. In December 2007, he was inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.

Coach Paterno’s induction, though, was deferred until 2007, as the injuries he sustained during a sideline collision in a November game at Wisconsin prevented him from traveling to the 2006 event.

Paterno who rank’s No. 1 in victories among major college coaches, received the prestigious Gold Medal, the National Football Foundation’s highest honor, at the 2006 Hall of Fame Dinner via a video presentation.

For 59 years and 669 games, Paterno has passionately served the Penn State football program and the university with principle, distinction and success with honor. After 16 years as an assistant coach, he was rewarded in 1966 with the head coaching responsibilities surrendered by the retiring Rip Engle, his college coach at Brown who appointed him to the Penn State staff in 1950 as a brash 23-year-old.

In his 44th year pacing the sidelines as head coach of the Nittany Lions, Paterno has faced every situation imaginable on the gridiron and has used his preparation, experience and understanding of the game he loves to respond and keep the Penn State program among the nation’s elite for the past four decades.

Paterno has posted a 383-127-3 mark in 43 seasons as head coach and is the leader in career wins among major college coaches (third all-time). He passed Bowden (382 wins) on Sept. 20, 2008. Paterno’s winning percentage of 74.9 is third-best among active Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) coaches (10 or more years) and he is second all-time in games coached (513) among major college coaches.

Since Paterno took over in 1966, Penn State has had 76 first-team All-Americans, with defensive end Aaron Maybin and Shipley earning first team honors in 2008.

Paterno’s coaching portfolio includes two National Championships (1982, 1986); five undefeated, untied teams; 22 finishes in the Top Ten of the national rankings; five AFCA Coach-of-the-Year plaques, and more than 300 former players who have signed National Football League contracts, 31 of them first-round draft choices.

In an exceptional display of generosity and affection for Penn State, Paterno; his wife, Sue, and their five children announced a contribution of $3.5 million to the University in 1998, bringing Paterno’s lifetime giving total to more than $4 million. The gift appears to be, Penn State Vice President for Development Rod Kirsch said, “the most generous ever made by a collegiate coach and his family to a university.”

“Penn State has been very good to both Sue and me,” Paterno said. “We have met some wonderful people here, we’ve known many students who have gone on to become outstanding leaders in their professions and in society, and all of our children have received a first-class education here. I’ve never felt better about Penn State and its future potential than I do right now. Sue and I want to do all we can to help the University reach that potential.”

He and Sue have been heavily involved with the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games, held each June on the University Park campus. In May 2008, the Paternos were inducted into the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Hall of Fame.

Joe and Sue Paterno have five children, all of whom are Penn State graduates, and 17 grandchildren.