George McElroy

George Albert McElroy (May 25, 1922 – October 7, 2006) was an American journalist. Born in Houston, Texas, he served in the United States Armed Forces before pursuing a career in journalism. Among many "firsts" achieved by McElroy, he became the first African American to earn a master's degree in journalism from the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri.

Early life

George McElroy was born 25 May 1922 in Houston, Texas to Hugh George McElroy and Philomena McElroy. His father was a highly decorated United States Army veteran who fought in the Spanish-American War, the Pancho Villa Expedition and World War I, being awarded the Croix de Guerre for his service during the First World War. McElroy was raised in the Third Ward of Houston. After graduating from St. Nicholas High School, he served in the United States Navy, being stationed in Asia from 1940 to 1948 during and after World War II, then as an information specialist at Ellington Air Force Base in Houston.

Education and fight against segregation After he was honorably discharged from the military, McElroy returned to his still-segregated home state of Texas. Due to segregation (separate, but equal) laws of the time, he was forced to attend Texas Southern University (then-called Texas State University for Negroes (TSUN)) after being denied admission to the University of Texas (UT). He had applied to the University of Texas following the landmark decision of Sweatt v. Painter. In his letter of denial from UT, he was told that UT and TSUN both offered the courses he was seeking. Being a Negro, according to segregation laws, he had to attend TSUN. He responded to the denial letter from UT stating that although the courses were offered at both universities, there was little else "equal" about the universities. McElroy sued for the right to attend UT, Ironically, 60 years later, his daughter, Kathleen, was named Director of the School of Journalism and Media at the University of Texas.

McElroy received a scholarship from the Wall Street Journal to attend the University of Missouri.

After graduation from the University of Missouri, McElroy considered several job offers and accepted a position as a "colored sports" writer for the now-defunct Houston Post daily newspaper in 1954 and in 1956, he became a weekly columnist. He was the first black reporter and the first black columnist at the paper which, at that time, was the largest morning newspaper in Texas. In spite of his position as a regular columnist, his likeness in the paper above his column was a black and white sketch of his image as opposed to photos as presented for his white counterparts at the paper. This portrayal made McElroy the first black cast member of the club's annual "Gridiron Show". Picketers lined the streets and the cast members received death threats leading to Houston mayor Louie Welch providing police protection for McElroy for 72 hours.

McElroy also served as the Texas correspondent for Jet Magazine and was elected as President of the Press Club of Houston.

We cover issues that the major dailies don't see or fail to see. We're closer to problems and concerns in our community. We see them first.

Teaching career Simultaneously with his journalism career, McElroy taught journalism in the Houston area for over four decades.

HISD: Phyllis Wheatley High School HISD: Jack Yates High School (1957–1969) Chairman of the Journalism Department Sponsored the "Andrew Hatcher Journalism Club", named after President John Kennedy's press secretary University of Houston - professor of journalism for four years member of the Houston Press Club to teach journalism at the University of Houston to win first place from the Texas Gulf Coast Press Association (for his editorials in the Informer).

Honors Throughout his life, McElroy received over 100 awards and honors 2006: Houston Association of Black Journalists (HABJ) - Lifetime achievement Award (September 2006) 2000: Golden Pen Award from the Black Heritage Society (for individuals making significant contributions to African American Heritage) 1977: "George McElroy Week" was proclaimed by Houston mayor Fred Hofheinz. 1964: Co-director of the first annual High School Reporters' Conference, held at Prairie View A&M University

Scholarships Several journalism-related scholarships have been named in honor of George McElroy's contributions to journalism, including: The Press Club of Houston Educational Foundation - George McElroy Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Scholarship ($1,000) Houston Association of Black Journalists - George McElroy Scholarship

Other affiliations Member of Omega Psi Phi President of the Houston Breakfast Club at Ellington Air Force Base where he met his second wife, Lucinda Martin McElroy,

In 1973, McElroy was commissioned by Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe to serve as an admiral in the state's navy. He declined the commission opting to continue his journalism career. His second marriage was to Air Force veteran Lucinda Martin in 1950 with whom he had four more daughters, Toni, Linda, Kathleen and Sherridan. George and Lucinda were married nearly 45 years until her death in 1995.

In 2006, McElroy was hospitalized with respiratory illness. In September 2006, McElroy received word that he would be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Houston Association of Black Journalists at their 20th Annual Scholarship Gala. Although receiving medical treatment at the time, McElroy received permission from his attending physicians, and attended the event. McElroy received his award and gave his acceptance speech. Shortly after the event, McElroy fell gravely ill with acute pneumonia and died on October 6. His funeral services were held at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church and his remains were interred at Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas.