John Farquharson Memorial Scholarship

John Farquharson

Memorial Scholarship

Please join me, Jim Doherty, CIA Trustee Emeritus, in honoring John’s memory and his commitment to the CIA by supporting The John Farquharson Memorial Scholarship at The Culinary Institute of America.

On January 13, 2017, The Culinary Institute of America, the world, and I lost a great friend, CIA Trustee Emeritus John Farquharson. John was a wonderful Trustee, a great supporter of the college and a cherished friend and wise mentor. For those who did not have the great fortune of knowing John, he was warmhearted, funny, and genuine. He was a special guy. We miss him, and will continue to honor his memory.

John’s distinguished career included leading Aramark’s Food Service Sector as President for 15 of the 40 years he served the organization. Amongst John’s many gifts and contributions to The Culinary Institute of America, he was personally responsible for the amazing restoration of the former Alumni Hall now called Farquhason Hall. John had been the longtime Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee when he decided to restore the main student dining hall that had originally been the Jesuit’s church. Thanks to John’s generosity and vision, the CIA hired John Canning and Associates, the same firm that restored the ceilings of Grand Central Station in NYC. John took great pride in seeing students enjoy this beautiful room.

Dr. Ryan, President of the CIA, loves to tell the story of the time he and John were having lunch together in the Alumni Hall, whose walls were banged up after years of use and the ceiling was cracking and peeling. “Tim, how much do you think it will cost to fix this place up?” John asked. Dr. Ryan told him it would be expensive and gave him the estimate of the cost. Without hesitation, John said. “Let’s do it. I’ll give you the money.” John loved Farquharson Hall and would ask if the students were using it and enjoying it. John would exclaim “I don’t give a **** what you think. What do the students think? They are the important ones.”

John founded the International Food Safety Council, whose mission was to heighten the awareness and importance of food safety. He attended the Harvard Graduate School of Business and served as a fund agent for them for many years. John received honorary doctorates from the University of Denver, and The Culinary Institute of America. Other accomplishments include serving as Chairman of The National Restaurant Association; Chairman and Trustee Emeritus of the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association; Chairman Emeritus of the National Automatic Merchandising Association; Director Emeritus of The Culinary Institute of America; Chairman of the Philadelphia Crime Commission; Director of Philadelphia March of Dimes; Director of Delaware Valley Easter Seal Society; he also served on the USDA Research, Extension, Education and Economics Advisory Board.