Loras College alumnus Dr. Mike McCrea (’88) returned to his alma mater to deliver the Commencement address at the College’s 185th graduation on May 4, 2024. McCrea also received an honorary degree during the ceremony.
Author of the book Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Postconcussion Syndrome: The New Evidence Base for Diagnosis and Treatment, published by Oxford University Press, Dr. McCrea was a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist whose research had informed new concussion protocol. He was the Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, Chair in Neurosurgery; professor of neurosurgery and neurology; vice chair of research; co-director of the Center for Neurotrauma Research; and director of brain injury research at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“Dr. McCrea’s impressive career significantly impacted the acute clinical and neurophysiological effects of traumatic brain injury in civilians, athletes, and military personnel,” Loras President Jim Collins (’84) said. “Even with his hectic professional schedule, Mike remained actively engaged with Loras and served as a generous contributor.”
After growing up in Benton, Wisconsin, Dr. McCrea graduated from Loras College in May 1988. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he received his master’s degree in clinical psychology in 1991 and his PhD in clinical psychology in 1994. After receiving his doctoral degree, McCrea completed his internship training in neuropsychology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. A post-doctoral fellowship at Northwestern University Medical School followed this.
Dr. McCrea’s clinical and research efforts focused on traumatic brain injury (TBI). During the past twenty-five years, he and his colleagues, both at MCW and worldwide, made significant progress in improving life quality and function for those affected by TBI. Dr. McCrea served as the neuropsychology consultant for the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Milwaukee Brewers, and oversaw the neurocognitive concussion testing program for the National Football League.
McCrea earned numerous awards, including, most recently, the prestigious Reitan Clinical Excellence Award from the National Academy of Neuropsychology. In addition, he received the Distinguished Career Award from the Sports Neuropsychology Society and was selected by the US Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center as the recipient of the 2018 Dr. Deborah L. Warden Lectureship Award. His professional appointments were many and included serving as president of the APA Society for Clinical Neuropsychology.
Dr. McCrea served on editorial boards for several prominent medical publications, including the Journal of American Medical Association, Journal of Athletic Training, American Psychological Association, American Journal of Sports Medicine, Journal of International Neuropsychological Society, and British Journal of Sports Medicine. He was a member of the United States Department of Defense Health Board External Advisory Committee on Traumatic Brain Injury, advising the Office of the Secretary of Defense on the management and research of military-related traumatic brain injury.
Loras’ Commencement ceremony was held in the Lillis Athletic & Wellness Center on the Loras College campus beginning at 2:30 p.m.
