Distinguished Alumni John Masterson
John Masterson
John A. Masterson of Iola touched the lives of thousands of young adults during his 40-year career in higher education at Allen County Community College. He graduated from Emporia State in 1967 with a BSE in physical education and in 1970 with a master’s in guidance and counseling. After graduating with his BSE, John served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Mt. Katmai with two deployments to the war zone. Upon his release from active duty, he returned to Emporia where his wife, Georgia, was finishing her degree and began work on his masters. He was a graduate assistant in the Student Affairs division where he and Georgia lived in the Men’s Residence Hall, and he was employed as a Residence Hall Director. After graduating with his MSE, he was employed as a full-time staff member and had charge of the residence hall system. His desire to use his physical education degree and to coach led him to take a position as Director of Guidance and Baseball Coach at Allen County. During his career, he also served Allen as Dean of Students/Athletic Director, Vice President for Administration, and as President, a position he held for 30 years.
“For many years, John has been revered among his colleagues at Kansas community colleges for his experience and wisdom,” Josiah D’Albini wrote in his letter nominating Masterson for a Distinguished
Alumni award. He said that Masterson was a president who truly knew his students. “John could be seen stopping students in the hallway asking or congratulating them on how their game, concert or performance went,” D’Albini said. “John has been…supporting the students in the stands and concert and theater seats, even sometimes in the weight room.”
Masterson also became deeply involved in the Iola and Allen County communities, particularly in the area of economic development. He has served as a vice president and board member of Iola Industries, Inc for more than 20 years, and on the Iola Area Economic Development Advisory Committee since its inception. He received the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award from Thrive Allen County, a 2021 Kansas Department of Commerce Outstanding Service Award, induction into the 2014 Red Devil Diamonds Club Hall of Fame and was honored on June 30, 2022, with John Masterson Day by the City of Iola.
His wife, Georgia (McRae) Masterson (BSE 70-Physical Science), was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. They are parents of John (wife Lisa) and Jennifer, who is deceased. They are grandparents to Kate and Matti.