Dr. Seffrin earned a Master of Science degree in health education at the university in 1967. The chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society since 1992, his leadership has been described as visionary. He is credited with revolutionizing the Society by integrating prevention and health education into its mission. He spearheaded the creation and serves as chief executive officer of the Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. He has taken the message and the mission of the Society into legislatures around the country and forums around the world. He is past president of the International Union Against Cancer, based in Geneva, Switzerland, served as chairman of the board of Independent Sector, the largest coalition of nonprofit groups, and helped to create the National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids, now called the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. He currently serves on the Advisory Committee to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“John Seffrin’s career has been dedicated to improving the health and well-being of others through his innovative leadership of the American Cancer Society,” said Applied Health Sciences Dean Tanya Gallagher. “We are honored that he is an alumnus of our college.”

Prior to joining the American Cancer Society, Dr. Seffrin was a professor of health education and chairperson of the Department of Applied Health Science at Indiana University. He has contributed to more than a dozen books and written more than 100 articles and other publications. In recognition of more than 30 years of leadership in the worldwide fight against cancer, Ball State University, Purdue University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Indiana University have awarded him honorary doctoral degrees.

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing nearly $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.