Patrick L. McCrory, who is currently serving his seventh term as Mayor of the City of Charlotte, was honored by the College during the 10 a.m. commencement exercise with the 2009 O.B. Michael Award. This award has been presented annually since 1938, by the Catawba College Board of Directors of the Alumni Association, to a graduate of the College who has made an outstanding contribution to the College and/or the larger society. Originally called the Citizenship Cup, it was established by the Reverend O.B. Michael, Class of 1919, in memory of his father, an alumnus of Catawba College and pioneer teacher and preacher.
McCrory, a member of Catawba's class of 1978, was born in Ohio, but grew up in Jamestown, North Carolina, and attended Ragsdale High School, where he served as student body president. He graduated from Catawba with a bachelor's degree in political science and education and after his graduation, he worked with Duke Energy Corporation in various management positions.
Involved in city government, McCrory was first elected as Charlotte's mayor in 1995. He is currently serving his final term as mayor. Endorsed by many state Democrats, McCrory was the Republican candidate for North Carolina's close 2008 gubernatorial race. His loss to Democrat Beverly Perdue was the first political loss McCrory ever suffered, dating back to 1989.
McCrory has been involved in many national organizations, including service as: Past-president of the Republican Mayors and Local Officials (RMLO) organization; chairman of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) Committee for Housing and Community Development; the past six-term Chair of the USCM Environmental Committee; and founder and inaugural Chairman of the North Carolina Metropolitan Coalition. He is also the only elected official to serve on the national board of the Afterschool Alliance and is a featured Mayor in Harvard University's Faith-based Executive Session. Since September 2001, he has been heavily involved with Homeland Security efforts, which include serving on the U.S. Homeland Security Advisory Council. He is also head of the U.S. Conference of Mayors environmental committee.
A Catawba College trustee since 2005, McCrory is married to wife Ann.
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