The University of Maine community joins students, alumni, faculty and staff of the Maine Business School in mourning the passing of professor emeritus John Mahon, who passed away on Oct. 20 at the age of 73.
A celebration of life will be held Nov. 13 in the Donald P. Corbett Business Building. Refreshments will be served at 11:30 a.m. in the atrium; the ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m. in Devino Auditorium (100 DPC). Those attending in person or who would like to share remembrances during the ceremony are asked to RSVP to Nory Jones, njones@maine.edu. A Zoom link for the event also is available: maine.zoom.us/j/86363472571
Mahon was emeritus professor of international business, policy and strategy and professor of management, and the 2017 Distinguished Maine Professor. He joined the Maine Business School in January 2001 after a 23-year career as a faculty member in the School of Management at Boston University. During his UMaine tenure, Mahon also served as interim provost, 2004–06, and as director of the Maine Business School and dean of the College of Business, Public Policy and Health, 2007–10. He retired in 2019.
Mahon inspired countless Maine Business School students with his passion, innovation and complete dedication to them. He took a special interest in helping students explore the world, leading undergraduate and graduate courses to Belgium, Bulgaria, England, Germany, Greece, the Czech Republic, South Africa and Russia. He also made huge impacts on graduates, receiving many notes from former students who thanked him for helping them achieve meaningful, rewarding careers.
Colleagues remember Mahon as “one of those very rare and towering figures in the classroom who make such an impact on students that they remember him for life.” Mahon was a transformative leader who cared deeply about his students, his faculty colleagues and the Maine Business School. His was “a life well-lived in service to others and his impact is etched in the hearts and minds of the people in this community.”
Mahon published over 300 articles, cases, books and book chapters, and earned 12 national awards for his writing and research that focused on how organizations shape or use reputation to influence public policy initiatives, plan and implement strategies, and respond to an organizational crisis. He also was considered one of the world’s foremost experts on corporate social responsibility. Mahon received UMaine’s 2011 Presidential Outstanding Research and Creative Achievement Award.
He is survived by his wife, Julia; daughter, Elizabeth and her husband, Sherwin; granddaughter, Alannah; and sister, Mary.
