San Diego
As a civic, business and volunteer leader, Jack McGrory has spent most of his life in public and private service to San Diego, enhancing the quality of life and economic stability of the region. He has permanently impacted the city’s urban legacy, enthusiastically supported San Diego State University and generously served on a variety of nonprofit boards throughout the county.
As city manager, Mr. McGrory placed a high value on public-private partnerships, playing an important role in the development of Petco Park, which is linked to the redevelopment of East Village. He helped San Diego secure Super Bowl XXII in 1988 and Super Bowl XXXII in 1998 and led efforts to consolidate city and county government services. As chair and CEO of the Price Legacy Corporation, he led the City Heights Initiative, which resulted in a comprehensive and holistic redevelopment of that neighborhood.
A former Marine with a Master of Public Administration degree from SDSU and a law degree from University of San Diego, Mr. McGrory taught graduate courses in the School of Public Affairs at SDSU. He has served as the chair of the Campanile Foundation, SDSU’s philanthropic auxiliary, where he helped to steer the Campaign for SDSU to its $750 million goal.
As a donor, he supports the Jack McGrory Internship Coordinator in the School of Public Affairs. Each year, the coordinator places approximately 250 students in professional internships throughout San Diego while maintaining relationships with more than 50 public agencies. Mr. McGrory also funds tuition, internships and study abroad scholarships for students and student-veterans; has supported the chair of the classics and humanities department; and has underwritten a staff position in SDSU’s Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center, on whose board he serves.
In the civic arena, he has provided guidance and expertise serving on the boards of the UCSD Board of Overseers, the USS Midway, the YMCA of San Diego and Imperial Counties, the San Diego River Park Foundation, Junior Achievement, Mainly Mozart and the USD Law School.
Jack McGrory is an iconic San Diego leader, respected for his high energy, resourcefulness and innovation. He encourages students−including his own children−to seek careers in public service.
In recognition of his commitment to San Diego and to SDSU, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and San Diego State University are proud to confer upon Jack McGrory the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.