The University of Iowa Eight Over 80 Award

Paul McKeen earned an honorary letter from Iowa in 1983 for promoting University of Iowa athletics and establishing the Johnson County I-Club. Since then, McKeen has continued to devote time and energy giving back to his community. McKeen has used his experiences in sales and finance—building three successful companies—to mentor and assist young people in planning and growing their own businesses.

An avid reader, McKeen has made books more accessible to those in assisted living facilities and worked with libraries, community members, and others to gather materials for a lending library. Most recently, he worked to add a large-print section to the library for those who have trouble reading smaller print.

He also helped start a clothing drive for the unhoused population in Arizona and provided clothing, bedding, toiletries, and toys to nearly 80 families—including 46 children. What started as a one-time clothing drive has now grown into a yearly effort that collects school supplies for children and benefits a local women’s shelter.

Currently, McKeen is organizing a back-to-school program to support homeless children and children of domestic violence victims—with the goal of providing backpacks, clothing, and school supplies to those individuals.