1956
Dr.
2015
Dr. Teri Riley
October 15, 1956 — September 20, 2015
Poland - Dr. Teresa "Teri" M. Riley, 58, died Sunday evening, September 20, 2015, at the Hospice House after an 11 month struggle with stomach cancer.
Teresa, affectionately known as "Teri," was born October 15, 1956 in Pittsburgh, PA, a daughter of Robert "Red" and Mary Eleanor "Dae" Miller Riley.
Raised in Pittsburgh, she was a 1974 graduate of Baldwin High School. Teri received her bachelor degree in economics and political science from Wittenburg University in 1978 and her Ph.D. in Economics from Syracuse University in 1984. In 1984, she was hired as an assistant professor at Youngstown State University and was promoted to full professor in 1996. Teri was named a Distinguished Professor for University Service in 2003.
She served two terms as the Acting Chair of the Department of Economics, served as Associate Dean for two years, and as Director of Faculty Relations from 2006-2012. As Director of Faculty Relations, Teri dealt with resolving conflicts within the university. She also was appointed Associate Provost in 2012 and held that position until her passing. During that period, she also served as Interim Provost for 6 months. Teri was an outstanding teacher who inspired many students to pursue economics throughout her teaching career.
Teri was a co-author on six different journal articles that related to teaching economics and co-authored 11 different software programs dealing with teaching economics. She was part of a team that received a grant from the National Science Foundation for designing an economics simulation for Principles of Economics classes.
She was an active member of the Poland Presbyterian church, where she served as a deacon, elder, and on numerous committees over the years. Teri also taught Sunday School and participated in the Summer Bible School Program.
A dedicated and loving mother, Teri was very active in her children's education and extracurricular activities. While her children attended Poland Seminary High School, she was a judge for over 10 years for the speech tournaments at the high school. She also ran the annual spaghetti dinner for Troop 2 of the Boy Scouts of America.
Teri was an outstanding cook and loved entertaining and hosting family and friends. She also enjoyed reading murder mysteries and watching them on television, listening to National Public Radio, and traveling with her family.
Teri is survived by her husband of 32 years, Tod S. Porter, whom she married August 13, 1983; three children, Andrew (Kristen) Porter of Columbus, Matthew Porter of Columbus, and daughter, Molly Porter of Poland, all graduates of College of Wooster; two sisters, Kathy (Ed Olsen) Riley of Silverdale, WA and Amy (Sean) McLaughlin of Pittsburgh; and a sister-in-law, Lisa (Brian) Christopher of Rochester, NY.
In addition to her parents, Teri was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Ellen Coyne.
A funeral service will be held Friday at 4 p.m. at the Poland Presbyterian Church.
Family and friends will be received on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland, and Friday from 3-3:45 p.m. at the church, prior to the service.
Memorial tributes can take the form of contributions to the YSU Foundation, where a scholarship will be setup in Dr. Riley's name. Checks should be made to the YSU Foundation with the memo line to read, Teri Riley Scholarship, and then mailed to YSU Foundation, Attn: Teri Riley Scholarship, 606 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44502.
Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
Teresa, affectionately known as "Teri," was born October 15, 1956 in Pittsburgh, PA, a daughter of Robert "Red" and Mary Eleanor "Dae" Miller Riley.
Raised in Pittsburgh, she was a 1974 graduate of Baldwin High School. Teri received her bachelor degree in economics and political science from Wittenburg University in 1978 and her Ph.D. in Economics from Syracuse University in 1984. In 1984, she was hired as an assistant professor at Youngstown State University and was promoted to full professor in 1996. Teri was named a Distinguished Professor for University Service in 2003.
She served two terms as the Acting Chair of the Department of Economics, served as Associate Dean for two years, and as Director of Faculty Relations from 2006-2012. As Director of Faculty Relations, Teri dealt with resolving conflicts within the university. She also was appointed Associate Provost in 2012 and held that position until her passing. During that period, she also served as Interim Provost for 6 months. Teri was an outstanding teacher who inspired many students to pursue economics throughout her teaching career.
Teri was a co-author on six different journal articles that related to teaching economics and co-authored 11 different software programs dealing with teaching economics. She was part of a team that received a grant from the National Science Foundation for designing an economics simulation for Principles of Economics classes.
She was an active member of the Poland Presbyterian church, where she served as a deacon, elder, and on numerous committees over the years. Teri also taught Sunday School and participated in the Summer Bible School Program.
A dedicated and loving mother, Teri was very active in her children's education and extracurricular activities. While her children attended Poland Seminary High School, she was a judge for over 10 years for the speech tournaments at the high school. She also ran the annual spaghetti dinner for Troop 2 of the Boy Scouts of America.
Teri was an outstanding cook and loved entertaining and hosting family and friends. She also enjoyed reading murder mysteries and watching them on television, listening to National Public Radio, and traveling with her family.
Teri is survived by her husband of 32 years, Tod S. Porter, whom she married August 13, 1983; three children, Andrew (Kristen) Porter of Columbus, Matthew Porter of Columbus, and daughter, Molly Porter of Poland, all graduates of College of Wooster; two sisters, Kathy (Ed Olsen) Riley of Silverdale, WA and Amy (Sean) McLaughlin of Pittsburgh; and a sister-in-law, Lisa (Brian) Christopher of Rochester, NY.
In addition to her parents, Teri was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Ellen Coyne.
A funeral service will be held Friday at 4 p.m. at the Poland Presbyterian Church.
Family and friends will be received on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland, and Friday from 3-3:45 p.m. at the church, prior to the service.
Memorial tributes can take the form of contributions to the YSU Foundation, where a scholarship will be setup in Dr. Riley's name. Checks should be made to the YSU Foundation with the memo line to read, Teri Riley Scholarship, and then mailed to YSU Foundation, Attn: Teri Riley Scholarship, 606 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44502.
Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
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