David L. Mona

College of Liberal Arts, June 2, 2008

David L. Mona graduated from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota in 1965. He began his illustrious career in public relations and journalism as a reporter for WCCO-TV. After three years, he worked as a reporter and editor for the Minneapolis Tribune. Five year later, he took a position with International Multifoods Corporation and then with the Toro Company. In 1981, he founded Mona, Meyer, McGrath & Gavin, a Twin Cities public relations agency. In 1988, Shandwick, a London-based public relations firm, acquired it. He currently serves as the chairman of the Minneapolis office that goes under the name of Weber Shandwick Worldwide, an international public relations agency that employs more than 125 people worldwide. He is a tireless advocate for the University of Minnesota. He served as national president of the UMAA and as an instrumental volunteer in the successful effort to bring the Gopher football stadium back to campus. He has also served as a mentor and employer to countless students and graduates of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. He played a pivotal role in bringing the Super Bowl and the NCAA Final Four to Minnesota in 1992. He has served on numerous boards and committees including serving as the board chair of the Greater Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce; and as a member on the boards of the Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association; Tom Lehman's Challenge golf tournament; Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum; and, the Minneapolis Public Schools Foundation.