KINGSTON, R.I., Oct. 9, 2015 – John H. McCray, Jr., vice provost for Urban Affairs at the University of Rhode Island, is being honored by the Yoruba Elders International Society, a local African charity group. McCray will receive the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Recognition Award during a ceremony Saturday, Oct. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Statehouse.
Throughout his career at URI, McCray has supported student learning and education at the University’s Kingston and Providence campuses and contributed to urban and community programs. McCray also has encouraged students to study, research and explore the cultural, economic and business aspects of urban areas nationally and in developing nations.
“Dr. John McCray has served the University in leadership positions for more than 30 years and in those positions has served as a role model and mentor for many students, staff and faculty at the University and many others in greater Rhode Island,” says URI Provost Donald DeHayes. “We at URI celebrate his lifetime achievements and thank him for his contributions to the University.”
McCray was appointed URI’s vice provost for Urban Affairs in 2000 at the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Continuing Education. Prior to that, he was URI’s vice president for the Division of Student Affairs, which included the offices of Student Life, Multicultural Student Services, Career Services, the Women’s Center and Disabled Student Services.
Before joining URI, McCray was vice president for Student Affairs at the State University of New York College at Brockport and dean for Student Services at the University of Michigan-Flint. He was also an assistant professor of naval science at the University of Rochester.
McCray earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from the University of Michigan and a master of business administration from the William E. Simon School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester. He was awarded a doctorate in economics from Wayne State University in Detroit. McCray is also a graduate of Harvard University’s Institute of Educational Management.
A resident of Providence, McCray has served as treasurer and chairman of the Finance Committee of the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority and is a founding member and past president of the Board of Minority Investment Development Corp. He is also a former commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves.
“We are honoring Dr. McCray for his exceptional commitment to higher education, inclusiveness and diversity,” says Samuel Abiade, director of the Yoruba Elders International Society. “As a tremendously effective motivator, visionary and community leader, John has inspired us all, young and old, to make our world a better place.”
Pictured above: John H. McCray, Jr., vice provost for Urban Affairs at the University of Rhode Island. Photo courtesy of URI.