MADISON – Rotary International Board of Directors has selected Pat Cross to receive the 2019-2020 “Service Above Self” award, one of the most prestigious awards that a Rotarian can receive.

Bill Petty, District 6860 Governor for Madison’s home district, nominated Cross for the commendation, which recognizes Rotarians who have demonstrated exemplary and continuing humanitarian service with an emphasis on personal volunteering and involvement in helping through Rotary.

Cross was both surprised and speechless when she answered a phone call with news about the award. “I am honored and in awe to receive this award and to be recognized by the Board of Directors of Rotary International,” Cross said. “It has been my pleasure to serve Rotary in our local community and around the world.”

“Being a member of Rotary has provided me the opportunity to meet people that I would have never known from all over the world, to develop great friendships and to work together to make the world a better place for everyone,” Cross said.

Madison Rotary President Larry Smith said Cross has been a leader in the local club, as District Governor and in zone and international levels. “Pat serves our community with equal vigor outside of Rotary,” Smith said. Cross has volunteered with Madison Hospital Women’s Advisory Board, Madison Street Festival, Madison Friends of the Library, Madison Arts Council and Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild.

“Our small club is highly respected nationally within Rotary International … no doubt the true source of our club’s broad notoriety is the hard work, good will and ambassadorship of Pat Cross,” Smith said.

Her husband Roger, a retired aerospace engineer, has assisted Pat in Rotary projects for the past 18 years.

Pat and Roger have two daughters. Kelley Cross Grant and husband Douglas live in Madison. Kelley works as an engineer project lead at Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation; Doug is a program manager with Missile Defense Agency. Whitney Cross Milam and husband Jason live in Dunlap, Ill. Whitney teaches pre-schoolers at Valeska Hinton Child Development Center in Peoria, Ill.; Jason works as an agent for Country Financial.

“We are very blessed to have four wonderful grandchildren,” Pat said. Carsen Grant is a junior in chemical engineering at Auburn University; Connor Grant, freshman in mechanical engineering at Auburn; Camden Grant, sophomore at Bob Jones High School; and Eva Milam, Dunlap Middle School eighth-grader.

Pat Cross will be recognized at Rotary District 6860’s conference on May 1. She has been invited to a Rotary commemorative event in Honolulu, Hawaii.

For more information, visit madisonalrotary.org.