Salem State Presents 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award

SALEM, MA — The namesake of Salem State University's McKeown School of Education and McKeown Plaza on the school's north campus was posthumously awarded the school's annual Distinguished Alumnus Award.

James "Jamie" McKeown, a 1977 SSU graduate and former resident of Woburn and Winchester, was chosen for the award for his outstanding professional accomplishments. McKeown's wife, Denise, accepted the award at the school's recent Donor and Scholar Celebration.

McKeown graduated with a degree in elementary education. He had a short career in education before rising to become the president of Cummings Properties before his unexpected death in 1996 at age 41.

"We are honored to remember our alumnus Jamie McKeown with this award," Associate Director of Alumni Relations Mike Mitchell said. "Our McKeown School of Education is closely tied to our region's public schools, and we know that Jamie would be proud of the educators we're graduating who are making a difference in our classrooms and communities.

"We will continue to honor his legacy at the university and beyond."

McKeown was an active member in his community, holding roles as director and former president of the Woburn Boys & Girls Club and director and president of the Woburn Business Association.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)