Emmett Orr
John E. Moore, Sr. Lifetime Leadership Award
Emmett C. Orr, M.P.A., is a 1978 graduate from the University of Southern California. Mr. Orr joined the Wright State University School of Professional Psychology in 1978 and remained a strong element of leadership and administration at the University through the time of his retirement. He served as the Executive Director of the Ellis Institute for Human Development and Associate Dean for Community Relations and Outreach until his retirement in September 2008. During the Thirty years at Wright State University, he has twice received the coveted President’s Award for Excellence. In 1988 he was the award recipient for excellence in service from President Paige Mulholland and in 1998 he was recognized for leadership and excellence in service from President Goldenberg. Prior to joining Wright State University Mr. Orr worked for seven years at the Charles R. Drew Community Health Center, Inc as the founding Executive Director. He was the lead administrator who assisted with the design and implementation of Dayton’s first Federally Qualified Community-Based Health Center in 1970. This federally funded program helped to form the basic model upon which health maintenance organizations and managed care for health services were built. In fact, his association with Wright State began in 1974 when he joined the Adjunct Clinical Faculty at the WSU School of Medicine, an appointment he maintained until his retirement.
In August 2008 he was appointed to the Financial Planning and Supervision Commission for the Jefferson Township Local School District that was created by law following the Auditor of State’s declaration that the school district was in a state of fiscal emergency; evidence that his commitment to community volunteer service continues, even into retirement. Additionally, he served as vice-president of the Montgomery County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. He is an active member of several professional organizations and societies and has a long and distinguished record of volunteer service within the local community and the Catholic Church. He has served the Dayton-Montgomery County community and the local Catholic Archdiocese for many years as volunteer in the areas of health care, corrections, children’s services, education, community development, mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention programs since 1971. His extensive volunteer record has been recognized by Parity Inc. as one of the Top Ten African American Males in Dayton. The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Montgomery County has honored his many years of community service by the establishment of the “Emmett C. Orr Volunteer of the Year Award.” The Montgomery County Commission selected Mr. Orr as the Montgomery County “2001 Citizen of the Year.” His name is engraved on the wall of the Montgomery County Administration Building in downtown Dayton. For his many years of volunteer work within the Catholic Church he has received many accolades from Catholic communities around the country and the “Silver Medal of Merit” from the National Board of Directors of the Knights of Peter Claver & Ladies Auxiliary, where he formerly served as Deputy Supreme Knight. Currently he is a member of the St. Peter Claver Foundation Board (SPCF), where his focus is grants and scholarships. In 2010 he was appointed to the Board of Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County, where he currently serves as President.
He and wife Sylvia will celebrate their 55th Wedding Anniversary in 2025 and are the proud parents of two adult children: Erron Christopher and Erica Camille (Jeff) Corbin, both now living in Charlotte, NC. One foster son Raphael (Breanna) Peterson and 2 grandchildren, Raphael Jr. and Rozlyn, living in Nevada