Successful alumni ceremoniously cut a ribbon celebrating the addition of Joffrey’s Coffee and renovations to Albright College’s Jake’s Java coffee bar in the center of campus this week. Joffrey’s Coffee — led by alumnus Ted Abrams ’83, president and CEO — is the official specialty coffee of Walt Disney World®, Disneyland®, and Disney Vacation Club®.
“It is such an honor to know that Joffrey’s is now a part of this community’s daily lives,” said Abrams, president and CEO of Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company, reflecting on his early days. “As a student, I came to Albright not knowing what path my life might take. In fact, I started as a pre-med major and eventually switched to accounting. But thinking back now, it wasn’t about the major I chose. The liberal arts education I received at Albright enabled me to build a foundation for thinking independently, adapting to change and communicating effectively.”
Bill Murray ’83, president and CEO of the National Coffee Association, offered a similar message to current students in attendance.
“I’m so proud to have this opportunity to congratulate Albright College and my classmate Ted Abrams for this exciting development, which is about bringing excellent coffee on campus, and also, about the value of a liberal arts education,” said Murray. “As a student in the 80s on Albright’s campus, I never could have imagined that I’d be running the National Coffee Association. This is the first reason we must value the liberal arts — because life takes us on unexpected journeys. The second reason, though, is that even as we are changing and taking unexpected paths, the world is also changing. Colleges like Albright prepare us for those twists and turns.”
In expressing gratitude for the Joffrey’s Coffee partnership, Albright President Jacquelyn S. Fetrow, Ph.D., praised the company’s commitment to a never-ending quest to provide the world’s best coffee and tea with unsurpassed quality and attention to detail from seed to cup.
“Ted’s visionary leadership has fueled the growth of Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company since his arrival in 2001,” said Fetrow. And now our faculty, students, staff and visitors will be able to benefit from that vision right here on campus. It’s a proud day to be an Albright Lion!”
