On Friday, October 3, 2025, the Economics Department and the College of Liberal Arts honored distinguished alumnus Dr. Jeffrey S. Coons with the unveiling of his portrait, commissioned by the department from artist Sophie Graefenhain. The event was held in the Economics Lounge in Gladfelter Hall, where the painting will hang, and featured remarks from Dean Richard Deeg of the College of Liberal Arts, Economics Department chair Michael Bognanno and Professor Michael Leeds.

Dr. Coons, who earned his PhD in Economics from Temple University in 1996, is a Chartered Financial Analyst whose 30-plus-year career has spanned a wide range of investment and management-related roles. For over eight years, he served as President of NYSE investment firm Manning & Napier. Currently, he serves as Chief Risk Officer and Director of Institutional Services at High Probability Advisors. 

Coons was the first PhD student of economics faculty member Dr. Dimitrios Diamantaras. In 2015, his generous contributions to the Economics Department established the Jeffrey Coons Summer Research Fellowship. That same year, he was inducted into the Temple University Gallery of Success. He was named Distinguished Alumnus of the Economics Department in 2021.

In addition to the unveiling ceremony, Coons, along with his wife, his three sons, and their partners, joined faculty and students for a luncheon before delivering a well-received presentation to Professor Leeds's Sports Economics course, which was open to all students. He recounted his professional journey, distilling and imparting valuable lessons from his own career and experience. He emphasized the importance of being a good collaborator at work and helping one’s colleagues excel. 

You can find more photos from the unveiling event, courtesy of Professor Diamantaras, in this gallery.