During the course of Mark’s career at Fibre, he also became very involved in public
service, including serving on the Mint Valley Golf Course Advisory Board; the Longview
City Council as councilman, Mayor Pro Tem, and Mayor; Cowlitz Transit Authority Board;
Western Youth Baseball Board; Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce Board; KLTV Board;
Cowlitz County PUD Commissioner; and Longview Yacht Club Board. Mark is also a recipient
of the RA Long Historical Preservation Award.
In 1981, Mark married Theresa (Schuh) and together they have two children and three
grandchildren. Mark and his family remain actively involved at LCC. The McCrady family’s
educational legacy at LCC continues with nine members of the McCrady family obtaining
a total of 12 associate’s degrees since the 1970’s. In 2007, his family was an integral
supporter in the efforts of three nursing program alumni who wanted to establish an
endowed scholarship for nursing students. After matching what the nursing alumni raised,
a total of $27,000 was invested to establish the Lower Columbia College Nursing Alumni
Scholarship as an endowment. Over time, the LCC Nursing faculty joined in the efforts
to continue building the scholarship principal. The endowment’s earnings now provide
annual scholarship awards that will educate future generations of nurses in our community
into perpetuity. Mark shares, “To me, the lesson is a simple one. If we all do a little,
big things happen.”
Upon retirement, Mark continues to serve the community in meaningful ways. In 2015,
Mark collaborated with his brothers Dave, Dennis, and Brian McCrady and their families
to honor and memorialize their parents, Roy and Colleen McCrady, through a scholarship
endowment and naming in the newly constructed LCC Health & Science Building, The Roy
and Colleen McCrady Nursing Lounge. Mark continues to support The Daily News fundraising
efforts during the annual Students in Need campaign, and led the efforts to restore
the downtown Longview Commerce Avenue Pedestal Clock, originally installed in 1926,
in honor of the Chilson family. Mark is filled with community and LCC pride, which
are rooted in his motivation to help others become the best people they can be.
Mark was humbled to learn he was named LCC’s Alumnus of the Year. When asked to share
LCC’s impact on his life and for others, Mark responded “Thanks to LCC’s flexibility
and dedicated faculty, students can attend school while working, which results in
more people being able to prepare for and advance their careers.” Mark’s philanthropic
support and investment in the future of LCC includes the LCC Athletic Excellence Fund,
LCC Booster Club, the LCC Nursing Alumni Scholarship, the McCrady Family Endowed Scholarship,
and the Student Success Fund.
“I can’t think of a better example of someone who used one’s gifts to benefit an entire
community. Mark’s level of service to the Lower Columbia Region is unparalleled. We
are honored to present Mark McCrady as LCC’s 2022 Alumnus of the Year,” noted LCC
President, Chris Bailey.
For more information about the LCC Foundation, LCC Alumni or to join the LCC Foundation
Alumni Association, visit lowercolumbia.edu/foundation.
