A commitment to service: Patrick Shelton ’92

Patrick Shelton ’92 participated in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in high school, and then came to AU planning to earn his degree en route to becoming an officer in the military, with inspiration from multiple family members who had served in the Air Force.

After majoring in history and political science, Shelton was selected for Marine Corps Officer Candidates School. Upon completion, he served four years on active duty stationed in the U.S. and deployed twice to Panama. He spent two more years in the reserves as a First Lieutenant.

“There’s a consistent thread in my life of being a part of things that are greater than myself,” said Shelton. “I take leadership and responsibility very seriously, and I’ve always been oriented toward helping others. In the Marines, it’s not about you. It’s about sacrifice and the people working for others.”

Shelton has carried that ethos into every chapter of his life. A four-year football letterman at AU, he has shared his knowledge of the sport by volunteering to coach youth football. He and his wife, Donna, are licensed foster parents and fostered several children over the years. In 2024, they adopted their daughter through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services process.

Throughout his professional career, a guiding principle for Shelton has been to leave the places he’s worked better off than he found them. Now, as regional marketing manager for Bentley Motors, he helps advise and guide more than 20 Bentley retailers across the East, Midwest, and Canada on how to improve and sustain their businesses. “I think that’s a version of service,” he said.

Shelton makes mentoring a regular part of his life. He started a LinkedIn group, the Motorsports Professionals Group, to connect and support people working in the motorsports industry, such as at Formula 1 and NASCAR. The group now includes more than 50,000 members around the globe, and over the years it has helped members make invaluable connections and find new roles.

“It’s very gratifying to see how it’s grown organically,” he explained. “I’m proud of that accomplishment.”

Last year Shelton became a founding member of AU’s College of Liberal Arts and Business Advisory Board. His role entails advising on curriculum. “I’ve really enjoyed contributing and giving back to the university,” he said. Last April, he was invited to return to campus and give a guest lecture for a Principles in Marketing class, something he hopes to do more often.

This story is an excerpt from the spring/summer 2026 issue of Aurora University Magazine. Read the full story online about five alumni who are turning purpose into action and creating a meaningful impact in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.