Honorary degree goes to longtime CSULB neighbor and devoted supporter
Bruce DD Mac Rae is a huge supporter of Cal State Long Beach, though he never attended The Beach himself.
Mac Rae lives across the street from the CSULB campus. His two sons, Nick and Jake, twin brother and ex-wife all graduated from The Beach. His current wife, Barbie, attended CSULB and played softball here. Nick Mac Rae ‘12 is now associate head coach of the men’s volleyball team.
“How could I not support the university that has educated the ones I love?” Bruce said. “I love Long Beach State. We are probably one of the most diverse universities I've ever seen, when you walk this campus.”
For his generous contributions to CSULB, as well as his support of Beach athletics and various local nonprofit organizations, Mac Rae is receiving an honorary doctorate of humane letters during the College of Engineering’s Commencement ceremony on May 18. He is one of three luminaries to receive such an honor this academic year.
“This degree is simply humbling for me to even think I’d be given the privilege to accept it,” said Mac Rae, a second-generation Long Beach native and former vice president of state government affairs for UPS. “I give back because I believe all people should find a way to give back to their communities.”
Mac Rae makes it a point to help the homeless. He serves on several nonprofit boards, such as the American Legislative Exchange Council, the California Trucking Association, and the Beach Athletics Board of Directors. He was chairman of the O.C. Sheriffs’ “Drug Use is Life Abuse” organization, a member of the L.A. Sheriffs Youth Foundation, and has supported Cooking with Kids and the Life Through Art Foundation.
He's also an avid supporter of Beach volleyball and water polo.
Among his fondest memories of The Beach are the graduation of his children, plus back-to-back NCAA national championships in men’s volleyball in 2018 and 2019.
“The graduation of my sons gave me such joy — lots of smiles and tears from Dad,” Mac Rae said. “I was on the court with the (men’s volleyball) team. Yeah, that was pretty memorable.”
He added that a recent Black and Gold Night in Walter Pyramid, when an athlete delivered a tribute to him, was humbling and “probably one of the few times I’ve cried in public.”
Think local
In his leadership roles at UPS, Mac Rae traveled the world and has addressed lawmakers in various state capitals and in Washington, D.C. He also served as public affairs director and security investigator for the world’s largest package delivery and supply chain services company.
But he counts neighborly acts of kindness and generosity to local nonprofits and to CSULB as some of his greatest accomplishments.
“What I found at Long Beach State – it's friends that became family, and when they’re family and there's needs out there, I've just decided to give where their needs are. I am just a servant. And if I can help people, what better way to help?
“I give here because I live across the street. I give here because I know so many of the staff. And it's just a good feeling. Why do I give? It makes me feel good. And I love feeling good.”
Even though his children graduated 10-13 years ago, Mac Rae still finds ways to stay involved at CSULB, attending games and events regularly.
“I guess this is my bastion of hope; when I come to Long Beach State, this is where I find hope,” he said. “I look at the athletes and I look at the people that I deal with. We don't talk politics here. We talk about life. The guys are having kids or just got married or are in a relationship. That's where I find peace.”
The Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) is one of the honorary degrees conferred by the California State University system and awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to education, public service or the arts. At CSULB, such degrees are conferred at Commencement by the college granting the honor.
