Grady L. McClamrock, Sr. Engineering Scholarship and Grady L. McClamrock, Sr. Scholarship
Grady L. McClamrock, Sr. lived a charmed life; often describing his fortunate circumstances as living a “Fairy Tale Life.”
Grady grew up on a farm in Davie County as a country boy who knew nothing of life outside Davie, let alone NC. As a high school senior, Grady was offered a scholarship to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA Tech). He turned it down because he had no idea where Blacksburg, VA was!
After one year of technical school, Grady went to work for Western Electric as a technician while he built a home and started a family. He took classes through NCSU Extension at night for 8 years in pursuit of an Engineering degree.
Grady was invited to become part of a group of elite Engineers sent by Western Electric to solve problems around the country. They were called the “Promising Engineers” because they would “promise” you whatever you wanted to hear at their Monday morning meetings!
Grady’s group developed the first fully automated assembly lines, developed the technology necessary to go to micro circuitry, and Grady made the very first cell phone call ever made! His group developed ideas and secured many patents during his 36 year career.
Grady operated the company “school” for 7 years before he retired. He trained the technicians and engineers hired by Western Electric to actually do their job. Later he was asked to develop course outlines and course work for schools in every Western Electric location.
As he now reflects on his life, Grady realizes how fortunate he was to do all of the things he did. He wants to be remembered not for his amazing career but for the generosity he showed others and the way he helped young people get a start in their own pursuit of an Engineering degree!
The Grady L. McClamrock Sr. Engineering Scholarship is available to a high school senior or college student who will pursue a degree in Engineering. The Grady L. McClamrock Sr. Scholarship is available to a high school senior or college student who is a member of a Methodist Church with preference given to Oak Grove United Methodist Church members.