Local Man Honored at Culver-Stockton 2012 Homecoming

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Kanne receiving his award from College President Richard Valentine

CANTON, MO. (10/29/2012)(readMedia)-- John "Jack" Kanne '71 received Culver-Stockton's highest honor during the 2012 Homecoming celebration, Paint the Town Blue, in Canton, Mo. Kanne was honored at the 2012 Distinguished Alumni. The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to one person annually who has distinguished themselves professionally, brought honor to C-SC, and/or made significant contributions to the college community. Kanne was an easy choice for this year's honor.

Kanne received his B.A. in business administration and economics from C-SC and started his career in the entertainment industry in 1973, when he began working for Polygram Records, traveling in the Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis and Cleveland areas. He then accepted a position with Paramount Pictures Corporation, based in Los Angeles.

While at Paramount, Kanne worked as a sales representative, sales manager, sales director, executive director, vice president of sales and marketing, senior vice president of sales and marketing, executive vice president of sales and marketing and lastly, as executive vice president-International. Among many career accomplishments, Kanne says he is most proud of orchestrating the first video for sales, where he pioneered the endeavor that allowed customers to purchase a movie instead of renting. Further, he enjoyed leading the marketing effort for the movie Titanic. In the mid-1990's, this became the largest selling video of all time, with more than 30 million copies sold. Some of the bigger names in Hollywood Kanne worked closely with include Tom Cruise, in the marketing of the move Mission: Impossible, and James Cameron, during the marketing of Titanic. Kanne retired in 2002 and now enjoys reading, golf and volunteering for the American Red Cross.

"Culver-Stockton College changed who I was as a person. I was so shy before I started school here. The relationships I have made here have been life-long. After I got to campus and became involved in activities, it brought out my personality. It has been a big factor in my success, and I am so surprised and honored to by recognized by C-SC," says Kanne.

A banquet was held in Kanne's honor during the Homecoming weekend. He also participated in a Q&A panel for students, the community and local media. Kanne currently lives in Palm Springs, California.

Culver-Stockton is a four-year residential baccalaureate college in affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It is one of only two colleges in the nation to offer a 12/3 academic calendar, instead of the typical 15-week semester.