Distinguished Alumni Award Winner Profile

Richard A. McKay, 52BA, 56MD, 63R, is a Waterloo ophthalmologist whose dedicated service to the University of Iowa dates back to his undergraduate days when he worked on the Hawkeye yearbook and was active in a myriad of other extracurricular activities, including intramural swimming and the Foreign Language Association.

Since then, McKay has enthusiastically and unselfishly provided moral as well as financial support to projects throughout the University. He served on former UI President Willard Boyd's Committee on University Outreach, a group instrumental in restoring Iowa's faith in the University of Iowa following the turbulent Vietnam War era.

A dedicated volunteer on virtually every fund-raising effort undertaken by the University of Iowa Foundation, McKay was an active member of the national committees for the Hardin Library for Health Sciences Campaign and the Hawkeye Arena/Recreation Campaign. His devotion and commitment were never more evident than when he played a key role in the 1983-84 campaign to raise more than $750,000 for the Frederick C. Blodi Professorship in the College of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology.

Always available to help his alma mater, McKay served ten years on the UI Foundation Board of Directors and has chaired both the Foundation Executive Committee and the Presidents Club. He is a Lifetime Honorary Director for the UI Foundation and a member of the National Committee for the Iowa Endowment 2000 Campaign.

McKay is a vigorous, invaluable participant in every project he espouses, energetically sharing ideas and suggestions on a wide range of issues affecting the University, be it the arts, undergraduate studies, or athletics. He often participates in the monthly Clinical Conferences held in the Department of Ophthalmology and is well respected by his peers, who elected him president of the Iowa Academy of Ophthalmology.

In addition to his work with the UI Foundation and his membership in several professional and community organizations, McKay serves on the Art Acquisition Board of the Waterloo Art and Recreation Center and is a past member of the Northeast Iowa Regional Library Association.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Iowa, McKay is a life member of the Alumni Association.