麻豆传媒映画

Jack McGrory (鈥�76, 鈥�17 LHD) is emphatic about his vision for 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 School of Public Affairs (SPA). 鈥淚 want it to be one of the premier public administration schools in the country,鈥� he said.   

To help make that vision a reality, McGrory is donating $1 million to the school in $100,000 yearly increments through 2030. Beyond the decade, he intends to contribute an additional $100,000 each year for the rest of his life.  

According to School of Public Affairs Director and Professor Sherry Ryan, McGrory鈥檚 gift, announced in July, provides potential well beyond his longtime support for the school鈥檚 student scholarship and academic programs. 鈥淭here are so many things we can do,鈥� she said.    

鈥淛ack is expanding the capacity for students to be involved in governance and public leadership thanks to his unique understanding of public service,鈥� she said.  

McGrory鈥檚 views involving public service were established in his youth. He grew up an Irish Catholic in Boston, where President John F. Kennedy鈥檚 inauguration entreaty of 鈥淎sk not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country鈥� was practically a mantra.   

Role Model  

鈥淚 am a JFK kind of guy,鈥� McGrory said of his philanthropy. 鈥淧ublic service was really important in those days and it was highly valued 鈥� unlike today, unfortunately.鈥�  

The same day McGrory received his college degree he also received his draft notice. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, he accepted a position with the City of San Diego the same week he began the master鈥檚 of public administration program in 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 School of Public Affairs.  

He eventually earned a law degree and advanced his public service career to become San Diego city manager. McGrory also taught classes through SPA where he inspired new generations of students.  

鈥淭hey liked it because I could come in and tell them real-life experiences of what it鈥檚 like to be involved in city government,鈥� McGrory said.  

Beyond his work, McGrory鈥檚 public service has included his membership on various committees and boards throughout the community, including three terms on The Campanile Foundation Board of Directors during which he served as chair. He is currently a member of the California State University Board of Trustees.  

With regard to his SPA contributions, Ryan said McGrory tries to support the areas of greatest need. 鈥淛ack is very insightful and he brings a sincere desire to help,鈥� she said.  

In order to target his philanthropy most effectively, McGrory said he often speaks with students and faculty about how things are taught. He is favorably impressed with the level of instruction.  

鈥淎t San Diego State you see people who are really dedicated to making this university better, providing access, providing opportunity, and working with the students,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ecause we are not necessarily a total research university, faculty has a lot of time to spend with the students and I think they do a really good job of that, particularly in the School of Public Affairs.鈥�  

People鈥檚 University

McGrory is sensitive to the circumstances of 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 many first-generation students. His own parents never finished high school and he was the first in his family to earn a degree.  

鈥淭his is the people鈥檚 university,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is where [first-generation] kids can come and get a great education and a great opportunity and move up. It鈥檚 just very important.鈥�  

One of McGrory鈥檚 goals is to establish a new SPA degree in social justice. He believes students and faculty could focus on a reevaluation of local issues such as neighborhood partnerships, policing, and all other aspects of city government.  

鈥淲e need to provide great customer service and it鈥檚 a different way of looking at local government,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat would all be encompassed in a new curriculum around social justice.鈥�  

Ryan believes if anyone could make such a degree program happen, it鈥檚 McGrory. She cites what she describes as his all-business, 鈥渘uts and bolts style,鈥� combined with a long-range vision and a full understanding of the impact of his philanthropy.  

鈥淭he gift that he has given us doesn鈥檛 just affect current students,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s long as 麻豆传媒映画 is here, he is going to be helping students.鈥�