La Jolla Exec Gifts $1.2M to San Diego State

Former San Diego City Manager Jack McGrory has given a second donation of $1.2 million to San Diego State University, the school announced Tuesday.

The money will be split among the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center; the School of Public Affairs and the Department of Classics and Humanities.

McGrory earned a master's degree in public administration from SDSU in 1976 and teaches a graduate-level course on the subject.

"I'm proud of my education at SDSU," said McGrory, now CEO of La Jolla MJ Management Inc. "I would not be where I am today without my education, and I am thrilled to be able to help the programs that have meant so much to me thrive at San Diego State."

McGrory, who has also held executive roles with the San Diego Padres and Price Charities, among other positions, gave the school another $1.2 million two years ago.

His latest gift brings the take for the Campaign for SDSU to $435 million. The school's goal for its fundraising drive is $500 million.

"The university has gone from a regional university to a nationally known research university, and it's exciting to see it continue to move forward," McGrory said. "It has also been great to see the level of support from alumni, not just locally, but from all over the country."

The campaign has received more than 44,500 gifts from alumni, friends, faculty, staff, parents and community partners to date, including 80 gifts of $1 million or more, according to SDSU.

—City News Service