Eagle Scout Class Of 2011 Named In Honor Of Late Sanford N. McDonnell, Son, W. Randall McDonnell

Inaugural Eagle Scout Dinner Was Focus Of Late Philanthropist’s Final Days

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
When: 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. (Program will begin at approximately 7:15 p.m.)
Where: Chase Park Plaza Khorassan Ballroom, 212 North Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, Mo., 63108
Contact: Joe Mueller, Director of Public Relations, 314-603-9983

ST. LOUIS—Sanford (Sandy) N. McDonnell relived many Scouting memories with his son, W. Randall (Randy) McDonnell, during the father’s final days as they prepared to be honored during the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America’s inaugural Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner. When Mr. McDonnell died on March 19, 2012, his son said it was his father’s wish for the event to continue as planned. It will recognize 569 young men who in 2011 earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. Both were Eagle Scouts.

Sandy McDonnell’s passion for and devotion to the Boy Scouts of America was unparalleled by any corporate leader in the United States. He began serving Scouting as an adult volunteer leader in 1964 and quickly learned how Scouting’s principles helped develop character in young people. The impact was so strong that Mr. McDonnell adopted the Scout Oath and Law as the guiding ethical and moral principles for the McDonnell Douglas Corporation, where he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for nine years. He was a Distinguished Eagle Scout and a former president of the Greater St. Louis Area Council and the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Randy McDonnell served on the council’s summer camp staffs after earning the rank of Eagle Scout.  He is the founder of Advanced Aerospace Technologies, Inc. There are now seven unmanned aircraft either in service, or in development, based on technology developed by him. Randy is co-vice chairman of CharacterPlus, an organization started by his father and will succeed his father as chairman. Both father and son credit the Scouting program for nurturing their relationship throughout the years.

Approximately 4 percent of Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Boy Scouts must earn 21 merit badges, serve in several troop leadership positions and display leadership by conducting a community service project. The 569 young men in the council who achieved Scouting’s highest rank will be inducted into the Sanford N. and W. Randall McDonnell Eagle Scout Class of 2011.

The Greater St. Louis Area Council serves more than 58,000 young people throughout 37 counties in eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. More than 14,000 adult volunteer leaders provide programs and activities that teach leadership and build character in young people ages 6 through 21.

Editor’s Note: A video and photographs from Sandy McDonnell’s 2004 Distinguished Eagle Scout Award presentation are available by following the linked text.