Northwestern University Athletics
Remembering Susan Stoner Jones, dedicated Northwestern alumni volunteer and generous benefactor
11/4/2025 5:53:00 PM | General
Susan Stoner Jones '63 ('91 P), Northwestern University alumna and longtime volunteer and benefactor, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the age of 84.
Generous gifts from Susan and her husband, University Trustee Dan Jones '61 ('91 P), over many years have benefited Northwestern Libraries, Athletics and Recreation, and other areas across the University.
"Susan was a fantastic friend of Northwestern for many, many years, and a personal friend of my family," said Northwestern Interim President and President Emeritus Henry S. Bienen '09 H ('19, '25, '28 GP). "Her love for Northwestern has been transformative across campus, and we are deeply grateful for her and the impact she has made."
Susan graduated from the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences in 1963 with a degree in art history. As a student, she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She then moved to New York to pursue a degree in nursing at Columbia University, where she met Dan Jones.
Dan was earning his master's degree in business administration at Columbia. Although the two had been set up with other people on a double date, they were drawn to each other. Dan later credited Northwestern for helping to spark their romance.
"Because of our NU background and our interest in NU, we became very friendly," he recalled in a 2021 Northwestern Alumni Association story. "We were engaged to be married six weeks after we met!"
Susan completed her nursing degree in 1966 and worked as a nurse before leaving the field to raise the couple's three children and assist with their family's business.
In 1972, Dan purchased a newspaper archiving business called NewsBank. The Joneses were living in New Canaan, Connecticut, and raising their young family when they began transforming the small microfiche distributor into a leading provider of digitized newspaper articles. In the first few months, Susan worked in the couple's bedroom, creating microfiche masters to preserve newspaper articles.
As the company grew, she continued to support the family business behind the scenes. Today, NewsBank operates a global news database resource, providing online archives of thousands of newspapers, broadcast transcripts and other publications. The company serves public, university and government libraries around the world and continues to involve the Jones family.
The Joneses' daughters are both NewsBank executives. Eldest daughter, Kathryn "Katie" Cavanagh '91, graduated from Weinberg College, and Meredith "Maggie" Jones completed two certifications through the Kellogg School of Management. The Joneses' son, Daniel "Danny" Jones II, served as president of NewsBank's consumer division before his passing in January 2024.
The Joneses have been devoted Northwestern Wildcats fans for decades, supporting the University's student-athletes through the Otto Graham Society. The couple also gave a generous gift in 2006 to establish the Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach endowment, which continues to support Northwestern's football program almost two decades later.
"Susan's love for Northwestern and its student-athletes was genuine and enduring," said Mark Jackson, the Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation. "She and Dan have long exemplified what it means to be part of the Wildcat family — supportive, humble and deeply committed to helping others succeed. "Through their generosity, including the Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach endowment, Susan helped ensure that our football program and student-athletes will continue to thrive. Her legacy will be felt throughout Northwestern Athletics for years to come."
Through in-kind gifts of NewsBank subscriptions, the Joneses have made a significant impact on the University Libraries. In total, the couple gifted more than $32 million in databases to Northwestern's library system, providing a one-of-a-kind collection that is rare among U.S. academic libraries. Their generosity also helped digitize the entire archive of the Daily Northwestern student newspaper.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Susan Jones, whose generosity and vision have left an indelible mark on the Libraries," said Xuemao Wang, dean of Libraries and the Charles Deering McCormick University Librarian at Northwestern. "Her family's and NewsBank's support has positioned Northwestern University Libraries as a global leader in collections access. This support will continue to benefit Northwestern students and faculty for generations to come."
In addition to their philanthropic support, the Joneses have been steadfast volunteers for the University. They served as co-chairs of the Florida Regional Campaign Committee, Gift Planning Campaign Committee and Libraries Campaign Committee for We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern, inspiring alumni and friends to join them in supporting the University.
Susan was a longtime leader of the NU Club of Greater Naples (Florida) and a member of the Women's Board of Northwestern University. She also served on her 45th, 50th and 55th Reunion Committees.
Susan was preceded in death by her son, Danny Jones. She is survived by her husband, Dan; her daughters, Katie Cavanagh and Maggie Jones; and eight grandchildren.
Generous gifts from Susan and her husband, University Trustee Dan Jones '61 ('91 P), over many years have benefited Northwestern Libraries, Athletics and Recreation, and other areas across the University.
"Susan was a fantastic friend of Northwestern for many, many years, and a personal friend of my family," said Northwestern Interim President and President Emeritus Henry S. Bienen '09 H ('19, '25, '28 GP). "Her love for Northwestern has been transformative across campus, and we are deeply grateful for her and the impact she has made."
Susan graduated from the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences in 1963 with a degree in art history. As a student, she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She then moved to New York to pursue a degree in nursing at Columbia University, where she met Dan Jones.
Dan was earning his master's degree in business administration at Columbia. Although the two had been set up with other people on a double date, they were drawn to each other. Dan later credited Northwestern for helping to spark their romance.
"Because of our NU background and our interest in NU, we became very friendly," he recalled in a 2021 Northwestern Alumni Association story. "We were engaged to be married six weeks after we met!"
Susan completed her nursing degree in 1966 and worked as a nurse before leaving the field to raise the couple's three children and assist with their family's business.
In 1972, Dan purchased a newspaper archiving business called NewsBank. The Joneses were living in New Canaan, Connecticut, and raising their young family when they began transforming the small microfiche distributor into a leading provider of digitized newspaper articles. In the first few months, Susan worked in the couple's bedroom, creating microfiche masters to preserve newspaper articles.
As the company grew, she continued to support the family business behind the scenes. Today, NewsBank operates a global news database resource, providing online archives of thousands of newspapers, broadcast transcripts and other publications. The company serves public, university and government libraries around the world and continues to involve the Jones family.
The Joneses' daughters are both NewsBank executives. Eldest daughter, Kathryn "Katie" Cavanagh '91, graduated from Weinberg College, and Meredith "Maggie" Jones completed two certifications through the Kellogg School of Management. The Joneses' son, Daniel "Danny" Jones II, served as president of NewsBank's consumer division before his passing in January 2024.
The Joneses have been devoted Northwestern Wildcats fans for decades, supporting the University's student-athletes through the Otto Graham Society. The couple also gave a generous gift in 2006 to establish the Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach endowment, which continues to support Northwestern's football program almost two decades later.
"Susan's love for Northwestern and its student-athletes was genuine and enduring," said Mark Jackson, the Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation. "She and Dan have long exemplified what it means to be part of the Wildcat family — supportive, humble and deeply committed to helping others succeed. "Through their generosity, including the Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach endowment, Susan helped ensure that our football program and student-athletes will continue to thrive. Her legacy will be felt throughout Northwestern Athletics for years to come."
Through in-kind gifts of NewsBank subscriptions, the Joneses have made a significant impact on the University Libraries. In total, the couple gifted more than $32 million in databases to Northwestern's library system, providing a one-of-a-kind collection that is rare among U.S. academic libraries. Their generosity also helped digitize the entire archive of the Daily Northwestern student newspaper.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Susan Jones, whose generosity and vision have left an indelible mark on the Libraries," said Xuemao Wang, dean of Libraries and the Charles Deering McCormick University Librarian at Northwestern. "Her family's and NewsBank's support has positioned Northwestern University Libraries as a global leader in collections access. This support will continue to benefit Northwestern students and faculty for generations to come."
In addition to their philanthropic support, the Joneses have been steadfast volunteers for the University. They served as co-chairs of the Florida Regional Campaign Committee, Gift Planning Campaign Committee and Libraries Campaign Committee for We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern, inspiring alumni and friends to join them in supporting the University.
Susan was a longtime leader of the NU Club of Greater Naples (Florida) and a member of the Women's Board of Northwestern University. She also served on her 45th, 50th and 55th Reunion Committees.
Susan was preceded in death by her son, Danny Jones. She is survived by her husband, Dan; her daughters, Katie Cavanagh and Maggie Jones; and eight grandchildren.
Men's Basketball - 'Cats Down Lakers in Season Opener (11/3/25)
Tuesday, November 04
Football - USC Game Week Press Conference (11/3/25)
Monday, November 03
Women's Basketball - Lewis Exhibition Postgame Press Conference (11/1/25)
Saturday, November 01
Volleyball - 'Cats Defeat Iowa on Rylen Reid's 27-Kill Night (10/31/25)
Saturday, November 01
