Values Shape a Legacy: John Hanawalt '74

The desire to give back and help others comes naturally to John Hanawalt '74.

Born in Williamsport and raised in Hershey, Pennsylvania, John attended the Milton Hershey School for thirteen years. The education and support he received at both MHS and Susquehanna played a critical role in his future success, and helped shape his worldview. John sums it up best: "I believe we all have a responsibility to each other, and to the common good."

As a student at SU, John studied accounting and played football and basketball. He has fond memories of both the academic and extracurricular sides of his time at Susquehanna. He remembers the challenging classes taught by professors George Machlan and Dick Reiland, and recalls his long runs on the country roads around campus as part of Bruce Wagenseller's PE class, which led to an adult life of running - including six marathons!

After graduating from Susquehanna, John worked in public accounting. This first step in his career came out of an internship he completed as an SU student. Following his start in public accounting, John earned his CPA and went on to work as the CFO/Chief Administrative Officer for four different companies, each in a different industry. The work came with "tremendous challenges," but also "lots of fun, and lots of growth."

John first established his planned gift about 10 years ago. With the support of his wife, Patti, he chose to make a bequest to Susquehanna through his will, because it was the type of gift that made the most sense for their family.

When asked what motivated him to make this planned gift, John explained that he wanted to thank SU for providing him with the foundation that propelled him to a successful career, and to honor SU classmate, Jay Faron '74. Said John, "Jay has been an unwavering friend and an inspiration to 'be better' since we first met as freshmen." He added, "I know of many others that made similar lifelong friends. I want to both help SU and to celebrate those relationships."

In 2019, in honor of his 45th reunion, John increased his bequest commitment to the university. His hope is that he will be able to continue to increase his gift as circumstances in his life change. John has chosen for his gift to go into Susquehanna's endowment, where it will be held in perpetuity and generate useable funds each year.

One of John's favorite poems is Will Allen Dromgoole's "The Bridge Builder." The poem tells of an old man who, after safely crossing a river, chooses to build a bridge for future travelers who would not cross so easily. Another man questions why he spent his limited time on this, as the old man himself is already safely on the other side. He replies:

This chasm that has been as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!

Susquehanna University is grateful that John has chosen to build one of his many bridges here, where his gift will help generations of future students.