Stewart McLaurin

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Stewart McLaurin
Stewart McLaurin, 2023 Headshot.jpg
Born
Stewart Douglas McLaurin

(1959-02-19) February 19, 1959 (age 66)
Raleigh, North Carolina
NationalityAmerican
Education University of Alabama (B.A., American History and Political Science, 1981)
Known forPresident of the White House Historical Association; Host of The White House 1600 Sessions Podcast

Stewart Douglas McLaurin (born February 19, 1959) is an American author, podcast host, and non-profit executive who has served as president of the White House Historical Association since 2014. A dedicated scholar and leader, he has held several senior positions within higher education and national non-profit organizations, including roles as Chief of Staff at the American Red Cross, Georgetown University, and Executive Director of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration. [1]

Contents

Early Life and Education

Stewart Douglas McLaurin was born on February 19, 1959, in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Stewart Parnell McLaurin and Gwendolyn McLaurin (née Stafford). [2] He attended Shades Valley High School before enrolling at the University of Alabama, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in American History and Political Science in 1981. [3] During his time at the university, McLaurin became a member of the Iota Iota chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity. [4]

Early Career

Early in his professional career, McLaurin was an executive assistant to the Secretary at the United States Department of Energy (1990–1993) [5] and then served as Manager of Public Affairs at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (1993–1994). [6]

Executive and Non-Profit Leadership

In 1996, McLaurin joined the American Red Cross as Chief of Staff, holding the post through 1999 and developing a close working relationship with then–CEO Elizabeth Dole. [5] Following his tenure at the Red Cross, he contributed to Elizabeth Dole’s 2000 presidential campaign. [7]

In 2001, McLaurin was appointed Chief of Staff to Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia, a role he maintained until 2007. He then served as Executive Vice President of Education Affairs at the Motion Picture Association of America for two years. [8]

In October 2009, McLaurin became Executive Director of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation in Washington, D.C. In that capacity, he organized a year-long series of national and international events that honored President Reagan’s legacy. [8] In March 2012, he assumed the role of Vice President for the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon, where he contributed to the design of the library’s national archives gallery until July 2013. [9] He later served as Executive Vice President for The American Village Citizenship Trust from August 2013 until his appointment as president of the White House Historical Association in July 2014. [6]

White House Historical Association

Since 2014, McLaurin has served as president of the White House Historical Association. Under his leadership, the organization has broadened its mission by publishing award-winning books, producing popular video series, and hosting both virtual and in-person events. In September 2024, the Association opened a state-of-the-art technology center—The People’s House: A White House Experience—to showcase the history, inhabitants, and dedicated staff of the Executive Mansion. [1]

Media Publications

McLaurin is an active media contributor. He has been the host of The White House 1600 Sessions podcast since its inception in 2017, [10] covering topics like the making of the presidential seal, cooking at the White House, and presidential yachts. Since 2022, he has authored more than 35 columns for USA Today . McLaurin has also written and published three books about White House history. [11]

Published works

Awards

McLaurin’s work on The White House 1600 Sessions podcast has garnered multiple honors, including two Communicator Awards for Excellence and three Telly Awards at the 45th Annual Telly Awards in 2024. [12] These accolades recognized both the landmark episode “Remembering President John F. Kennedy: A 60th Anniversary Special” and the overall excellence of the series. At the 46th Annual Telly Awards, McLaurin and Haddad Media received a Bronze Award for the series and for the episode “Making the Presidential Seal.” [13]

Memberships

McLaurin is actively involved with several organizations. He serves on the boards of the Metropolitan Club Preservation Foundation and the National Trust of Scotland USA Foundation, and he is a member of the Charleston Symposium Advisory Board. Additionally, he was a founding board member of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Stewart D. McLaurin". WHHA (en-US). Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  2. ↑ "Stewart McLaurin Obituary January 21, 2021". Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home and Crematory. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  3. ↑ Davenport, Fred (21 October 2020). Two Birmingham area natives tasked with identifying contributions slaves made at the White House . Retrieved 23 June 2025– via www.wvtm13.com.
  4. ↑ "Significant Sig Stewart McLaurin – Sigma Chi" . Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Stewart McLaurin, Class of '81, Director of the White House Historical Association – Department of History". history.ua.edu. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  6. 1 2 Reed, Martin J. (23 April 2014). "American Village's Stewart McLaurin joining White House Historical Association as president". al. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  7. ↑ "Washingtonpost.com: Dole: Managing an Agency and an Image". www.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Stewart McLaurin Appointed President of the White House Historical Association". WHHA (en-US). 1 May 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  9. ↑ Staff, The Acorn (14 March 2013). "In times of peace and war". The Acorn - Serving Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak Park & Westlake Village. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  10. ↑ "Articles & Publications". WHHA (en-US). Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  11. ↑ "The White House 1600 Sessions". WHHA (en-US). Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  12. ↑ Insider, W. H. C. (16 August 2024). "Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, Wins 5 Podcast Awards as Host of 'The White House 1600 Sessions' Podcast". White House Correspondents Insider. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  13. ↑ "Winners". Telly Awards. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
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