Donor Stories
John C. Herron
John Herron attributes much of his success in life to the education, leadership training and life skills he acquired at EMU.
Herron graduated from Michigan State Normal College (now EMU) in 1941 and initially taught general business courses with the Trenton, Mich., schools. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Herron volunteered for United States Navy duty and received his commission in May 1942. After a year of training at the Grosse Isle Navy Air Station and Harvard Business School, he began his first assignment in Honolulu in food services. In his 23-year career with the U.S. Navy, Herron worked on the largest carriers, specialized in logistics and supply and was promoted several times. In 1965, Herron retired with the rank of captain.
Upon retiring, Herron went to work for ARA, now ARAMARK. During his 28-year second career with ARAMARK, Herron helped establish operations in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Japan and other countries from 1975 to 1985. Herron served as president of the Hospital Food Management Division from 1985 to 1993 and was named corporate vice president in 1988. At the age of 77, Herron retired from ARAMARK and worked as a consultant until 1995.
He has established two charitable gift annuities at the EMU Foundation and funded the John C. Herron Leadership Endowment to provide awards to undergraduate and/or graduate students who exhibit leadership qualities. When fully funded, the John C. Herron Leadership Endowment will provide several awards to at-need students each year. He is a member of the EMU Heritage Society and in 2004, was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the EMU Alumni Association.
Since his official retirement, Herron often "returns to the sea" on annual world cruises and has circumnavigated the globe five times.
