Issue: Spring 2016 | Posted: April 25, 2016
Mark Luttrell
Distinguished Achievement in Government/Public Service
Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell says he learned many valuable lessons as an undergraduate student at Union, but the most important lesson was that success requires prayer.
āIn every decision Iāve made since my time there, I seek guidance, sensitivity and understanding from God,ā he says.
After graduating from Union in 1969, Luttrell got a masterās degree from the University of Memphis. He began his public service ŗ£½ĒĀŅĀ×ÉēĒų at the Shelby County Penal Farm. He was warden of several federal prisons before being elected sheriff of Shelby County in 2002.
In August 2010, he was elected Shelby County mayor. As mayor, Luttrell has a four-point vision with which he aligns initiatives: budget discipline, safe communities, public health and jobs. He says he aims to make Shelby County a national benchmark for effective and efficient government.
āIām glad the Lord sent me to Union because it laid a foundation for everywhere heās sent me since,ā Luttrell says.
Luttrell studied history and political science at Union, but he says he is grateful that he was also able to study many other subjects.
āThe liberal arts nature of Union introduced me to classes like art appreciation, which I greatly enjoyed,ā Luttrell says. āI learned about English literature, music and theaterāthings I never would have looked into on my own.ā
Luttrell holds many leadership roles within the community by serving on various professional boards and committees, including the National Association of Counties Board of Directors, the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission, and the University of Memphis Arts and Sciences Advisory Council.
He and his wife, Pat, have three children and six grandchildren.