Sep 8, 2004 -- In a unanimous vote, the chairmanship of the Yeshiva University Board of Trustees was transferred from Ronald P. Stanton to Morry J. Weiss, chairman of the board of American Greetings Corporation, at the Sept. 7 board meeting.American Greetings

Mr. Stanton passed the ceremonial gavel to Mr. Weiss. Mr. Stanton remarked that he was extremely pleased to have been called upon to help lead the university during its recent transition from former President Norman Lamm to President Richard M. Joel. Mr. Stanton was elected chairman-emeritus.

Mr. Stanton’s tenure emphasized enhancements in student life, increased scholarships, and major improvements in campus life. He also chaired the historic capital campaign that raised more than $400 million. “It is now time for the new chairman to execute the president’s strategic plan with dedication and aggressive action,” Mr. Stanton said.

A major supporter of the university, Mr. Weiss joined the board in 1983 and became vice chairman in March 2000.

“Morry Weiss is a respected philanthropist and leader in his hometown of Cleveland, in the Jewish world, and in the American business community,” President Joel noted. “Mr. Weiss will be an important partner in moving the university forward as we embark on the first phase of a new strategic plan to position the institution as America’s Jewish university in service to humanity.

“This venture will entail sweeping advancements in academics, and increased services to students as the university begins its repositioning as a leadership incubator for the Jewish people,” President Joel continued. “Mr. Weiss, who is deeply involved in Jewish education, has the vision and creativity to lead us into this new era. We are fortunate to have a man of his integrity, talent, and commitment as our chairman.”

Mr. Weiss joined American Greetings, headquartered in Cleveland, in 1961. American Greetings employs more than 20,000 associates and is the world’s largest publicly owned creative manufacturer and distributor of social expression products.

In 1978, Mr. Weiss became president and chief operating officer, and, in 1987, he was elected chief executive officer of the firm. Five years later, he became chairman of its board, while retaining his title of chief executive officer. In June 2003, Mr. Weiss retired as CEO, while remaining chairman of the board.

He also serves as a director of National City Corporation, and is on the advisory boards of Primus Venture Partners, United Jewish Communities, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Clinic, and United Way; and is on the Listed Company Advisory Committee to the New York Stock Exchange Board.

“I look forward to partnering with President Joel in advancing the important work of YU,” Mr. Weiss said. “I am aware that we stand on the shoulders of giants including Dr. Lamm and many others. My family owes a great deal to YU.”

Mr. Weiss’ family has longstanding ties to YU through the Stone-Sapirstein-Weiss Family Foundation, which endowed the Stone-Sapirstein Chair in Jewish Education and Stone-Sapirstein Scholarship and Internship Program at YU’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.

Born in 1940 in Czechoslovakia and raised in Detroit, Mr. Weiss attended Wayne State University and earned a bachelor’s degree at Case Western Reserve University. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Yeshiva University in 1994.

He and his wife, Judy, have four sons who are Yeshiva College alumni, three of whom are executives at American Greetings Corporation.