The Institute's Trustees accepted Helen K. Copley's resignation at their November meeting. Copley was one of the original group of Trustees appointed by the Delaware Court of Chancery in 1984.
The Institute's Trustees accepted Helen K. Copley's resignation at their November meeting. Copley was one of the original group of Trustees appointed by the Delaware Court of Chancery in 1984.
"Mrs. Copley has played a major role in the transformation of HHMI into the remarkable institution that it is today," Purnell W. Choppin, president of the Institute, said in a statement announcing her resignation.
"A leading business executive and a citizen active in many areas of community and public affairs, Mrs. Copley brought broad experience and sound judgment to the Institute, and for 11 years she provided wise counsel and thoughtful guidance," he said. "All of us at HHMI and those across the nation who have benefited from the Institute's activities are grateful for her devoted service."
Copley, who is the long-time chairman and chief executive officer of the corporation that publishes the Copley Newspapers and publisher of the San Diego Union-Tribune, is extremely active in public service. She was appointed to the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year 1975 by President Gerald R. Ford. She was the first woman to be elected as a director of the California Chamber of Commerce, and in 1978 she was appointed to the California Commission on Government Reform by Governor Jerry Brown.
She has served on the San Diego Council on Literacy, and on the advisory board of the Washington Press Club Foundation's Oral History Project, as well as the advisory committee of the World Press Freedom Committee.
She has been honored for her contributions and leadership by many organizations, including San Diego's Conference of Christian and Jews Regional Brotherhood Award; the Woman of the Year Award from the Mexican and American Foundation; the Thomas Jefferson 1980 American of the Year Award; and the National Distinguished Community Service Award from the Anti-Defamation League of the B'nai B'rith.
The Trustees concluded their resolution with these words:
"Be it noted that her fellow Trustees of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute hold Helen K. Copley in the highest regard and are honored to have served with her during the past eleven years. As she leaves her active service as a Trustee, she carries with her their deep thanks, affection and warm best wishes."
