Distinguished Alumni Award

John G. Kulhavi’s devotion and support of CMU is immeasurable – rivaled only by his career and military successes.

John, ’65, earned bachelor of science degrees in applied arts and sciences and in education. He also completed ROTC and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

He served with the 25th Aviation Battalion, 25th Infantry pision in the Republic of Vietnam as an aviator and flight leader. Upon completion of his tour in 1968, he was promoted to the rank of captain and served as an instructor, evaluator, and assistant pision chief at the Army’s primary flight school in Fort Wolters, Texas, until August 1969. John was recruited in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1970 and served in a variety of staff and command positions. He retired from the Army Reserve at the rank of brigadier general.

During his military career, John received 43 awards, including the Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, 22 Awards of the Air Medal, and three Meritorious Service Medals.

John currently is senior vice president of investments for Merrill Lynch in Farmington Hills. He is a member of Merrill Lynch’s “Circle of Champions” and ranks in the top 1 percent of the firm’s financial advisors.

He was included in America’s Top 100 Brokers by Barron’s magazine for the last five years straight. His team of specialists has been named three times to Research magazine’s list of America’s Top Financial Advisory Teams.

John resides in White Lake Township and has been the president of the White Lake Township Civil Service Board for more than 20 years. He also is a director of the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund, and is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association, and the American Legion.

John’s involvement and commitment to CMU is extensive. He is vice chairman of the CMU Board of Trustees, chairman of the campaign for the CMU Events Center, a member of the executive committee of the CMU Development Board, and a member of the curriculum committee for CMU’s School of Business Administration. CMU’s Kulhavi Hall was named in his honor.