June 21, 2017

Dr. Dave Jones' contributions to the University and as a scholar in his field are impressive and noteworthy. He served as the Dean of the Pennoni Honors College from 2008-2014.  He served as a Department Head in this College twice, as the Head of Media Arts from 1996-2000 and of Cinema & Television from 2006-2007. He also served as the Interim Department Head of the Department of Humanities-Communications in what was then known as the College of Humanities and Social Sciences from 1985-1987. As a Department Head in Westphal, Dr. Jones enjoyed enormous respect from his faculty and his peers, and was a strong and early advocate for this College’s creation of Digital Media programs that have evolved into one of Westphal's strongest units. Beyond being a film maker and noted Cinema Studies scholar, Professor Jones is a an excellent and effective teacher who has taught a vast number of Cinema Studies courses. Generations of Drexel students have been most fortunate to benefit from Dr. Jones’ deep knowledge, insight and passion for many forms of film and many film makers.

He has been superb in mentoring junior faculty; was instrumental in making numerous excellent faculty hires; was committed to fostering excellence in the classroom and to assisting faculty in furthering their research, creative work, and scholarship. His service extended to numerous faculty, Department Head, and Dean searches, and tenure and promotion reviews.  Since joining Drexel, he authored three books (two of them with university presses), wrote three chapters for other books, and wrote numerous reviews, articles, and encyclopedia entries. As a film maker he directed, produced or wrote eleven films, several of which were award winners which were broadcast on PBS and other major media outlets in the U.S. and Canada.