Hall of Fame Inductees
A triple threat on the field, court and diamond, James O’Leary ’36 starred for Wesleyan before going on to serve as chief economist for the U.S. Trust nearly 50 years later.
O’Leary earned seven varsity letters in his playing career as a Cardinal, playing for the football, baseball, and basketball programs. He captained the baseball team in his senior season. A vaunted left end for the Cardinal football team, O’Leary’s play earned the respect of his opposition and later was recognized by Sports Illustrated as he was named to the 1960 Silver Anniversary All-American Team by the national publication.
Among his various laurels as a student, O’Leary earned placement into Phi Beta Kappa, the most-prestigious academic honor society in the country. He also was a member of the Skull and Serpent Society and a four-time Olin Scholar Honor Roll recipient. O’Leary capped his academic career earning the William Day Leonard Prize which is given to the student who exemplifies the highest standards of character and performance in campus life.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1936 and earned his master’s degree from Wesleyan in 1937. O’Leary later received his Ph.D. from Duke University in 1941.
During World War II, he taught at Wesleyan (1939-46) and at the Air Navigation Flight Preparatory School (1943-44) in Middletown. His teaching career at Wesleyan started as an instructor of economics from 1939 to 1942 before he moved to an assistant professor position from 1943 through 1946.
A bulk of his professional career was spent working for the Life Insurance Association of America in New York. He was director of investment research and economics from 1947-59 before being promoted to vice president and director of economic research, a role he served in from 1959-67.
A noted economist, O’Leary served as vice chairman of the U.S. Trust Corporation from 1970 through 1980. He also served on the board of the National Bureau of Economic Research and was its chairman from 1976 to 1980.
O’Leary passed away at the age of 85 on February 28, 2000, at his home in Westport, Connecticut.
