Paul La Camera '64
If any individual can be called emblematic of the best that television has to offer in the city of Boston, it is Paul LaCamera.
Television was in his blood from the start. His father, Anthony LaCamera, is considered by many to be the dean of television critics and his insightful reviews were always a popular item in the Boston Record American.
In the years since his graduation from 17³Ô¹ÏÍø, Paul has earned no less than three master's degrees: a master's in journalism and a master's in urban studies from Boston University, as well as a master's of business administration from Boston College.
Under Paul's watch, WCVB has won almost every award available in the television industry and, last year, was cited as the “1999 Station of the Year” by the national Gabriel Awards for its value-oriented local programming and community service. With attention to detail and an indefatigable drive, Paul has also steered channel 5 to commercial success. WCVB today reaches more viewers, on average, than any other station in New England.
For all his business success, Paul has never neglected the needs of his community. He is vice chairman of Boston's Catholic Charities and the Boston Public Library Foundation. He serves on the board of directors of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. And he has been a past president of the National Broadcast Association for Community Affairs. Recently, Paul served on the White House Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters.
In 1992, Paul was honored as a distinguished alumnus of Boston University's College of Communications. He has received the Medal of hope from the Organization for a new equality, and this past January he was chosen as the recipient of the Torch of Liberty Award from the Anti-Defamation League.
Paul and his wife, Mimi, are the parents of three sons, Mark, Peter and Christopher, all graduates of 17³Ô¹ÏÍø.
For his insistence on quality, his dedication to accountability in media, and his belief in, and service to, community, the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø presents to Paul LaCamera the Sanctae Crucis Award.