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Brig. Gen. David L. Grange Awarded Aurora University Doctorate Degree
5/29/2009
Aurora University Provost Andrew Manion (left) adjusts the stole of Brig. Gen. David L. Grange, USA (Ret.), at Aurora University's 116th annual commencement ceremonies May 10. From left are Manion; Grange; J. Andrew Hays, who read Grange's citation; and Rebecca L. Sherrick, AU president. Grange, president and chief executive officer of the McCormick Foundation, was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree.AURORA, Ill. — Brig. Gen. David L. Grange, USA (Ret.), president and chief executive officer of the McCormick Foundation, was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree by Aurora University at 116th annual commencement ceremonies May 10.
Grange was honored for his outstanding and inspiring contributions to society; his commitment to the ideals of democracy; and his honorable and devoted service to improving the lives of children, communities and the country.
AU President Rebecca L. Sherrick conferred Grange’s degree. His citation was read by J. Andrew Hays, a Chicago attorney and a friend of AU.
Hays said, “Each year as the Aurora University community honors its graduating students, we also pause to affirm the values that define the institution by honoring individuals who have had a significant and positive impact on society.
“Today, Aurora University confers the Doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa, upon David L. Grange, a man with an extraordinary military record who is dedicated to community development and community service in improving the lives of children, communities and the country,” Hays said.
Born on Long Island, N.Y., and raised in a military family, Grange traveled continuously with his parents until he attended college. Grange earned a Bachelor of Science degree from North Georgia College.
After graduation, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant of Infantry and reported to the 82nd Airborne Division for his first assignment — Recon Platoon Leader of the 2-505th Infantry. In 1970, he volunteered for Vietnam and served with the 101st Airborne Division’s 2-506th Infantry, L Company 75th Rangers, and as an advisor to the 81st Recon Battalion of the Vietnamese Airborne Division. During two tours of service in Vietnam, Grange was awarded three Silver Stars and two Purple Hearts.
During Grange’s 30 years of military service, he commanded at all ranks up through Major General. He operated in Ranger, Special Forces, Aviation, Delta Force, and Infantry units throughout the world including the DMZ of Korea, SE Asia, SW Asia, Germany, former Warsaw Pact countries, Grenada, the Middle East, Central and South America, Africa, Russia, and the Balkans.
Grange attended Army Infantry, Special Forces, Ranger, HALO, Scuba, Air Assault, and Aviation training; the U.S. Marine Corps Command and General Staff College; the British S.A.S. Course, the Delta Course; the National War College, and earned his master’s degree in public service at Western Kentucky University.
While serving in the Pentagon, Grange served as the deputy director and director of Army Current Operations, Readiness and Mobilization. He was responsible for coordinating military support within the United States in response to natural disasters and for domestic preparedness against acts of terrorism.
Prior to retirement, Grange commanded the First Infantry Division, “The Big Red One,” in Germany, TF Eagle in Bosnia, and U.S. troops in Macedonia and Kosovo.
In November 1999, Grange joined the McCormick Foundation, a Chicago-based philanthropic organization focused on advancing the ideals of a free, democratic society by investing in our children, communities and country. For more than 50 years, the Foundation has inspired meaningful dialogue and delivered results improving our country’s civic health. As one of the nation’s largest public charities, the Foundation has granted more than $1 billion to organizations in local communities across the country.
In 2005, Grange was appointed the Foundation’s president and chief executive officer. Since becoming CEO, he has spearheaded the opening of the McCormick Freedom Museum, overseen major expansion and improvements at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Ill., and led the development of a new Veterans Programs initiative for the Foundation, including Welcome Back Veterans, a partnership with Major League Baseball, Operation Healing Freedom, a collaboration with private equity firms and the financial community.
On June 30, 2009, Grange will be retiring from the Foundation and taking the helm of PPD, a Wilmington drug-research company. He has served on PPD’s board since 2003.
Grange also serves as the chairman of the board of visitors at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. He serves on the board of directors of the National Strategy Forum, the Society of the First Infantry Division, and the Three Fires Council Boy Scouts, and he is a trustee for the First Infantry Division Foundation and Marmion Academy. He is also a member of the advisory board of the Marshall Fund. He has served as a national security analyst for CNN, CBS and WGN Radio.
