John was born on April 3, 1929 in Trenton, NJ to John and Edith (Howell) Green but spent his formative years growing up in Kansas City and Topeka. He served in the U.S. Army’s 2nd Armored Division from 1951-53, during the Korean Conflict. Dr. Green went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University, master’s degree from Wayne State University (MI), and Ph.D. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY). He committed his working life to higher education and a pursuit of lifelong learning.
Dr. Green’s career in higher education spanned four decades, including positions as Executive and Senior Vice President with the University of Miami in the 1970s and the University of Houston in the early 1980s. It culminated with his role as President of Washburn University from 1981-1989. One of his proudest accomplishments during his career was the “rebirth” of the University of Miami football team in the late 1970s through the hiring of coaches Lou Saban and Howard Schnellenberger. In addition, during his tenure at Washburn University, the Ichabod men’s basketball team won the NAIA national championship in 1987.
Later in his career, Dr. Green turned his attention to entrepreneurial endeavors and founded two accreditation bodies for higher education, the ACBSP (1989) and the IACBE (1997). Throughout his career, he served as a consultant to numerous institutions and authored or co-authored seven books including his final 2019 publication, Strategic Planning and Innovation.
John is survived by his wife, Harriet; his son Jay Green (Debbie) of Spring Hill; two granddaughters, Lindsay and Emma Green; and a brother Kenneth Green.
He was an avid golfer, diehard Chiefs fan, and regular Jose Pepper’s patron.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Christ Community Church, 14200 Kenneth Road, Leawood, Kansas 66224.
