John R. Carnaghi - Doctor of Education

John R. Carnaghi  Download Photo

Mr. John R. Carnaghi was a longtime Purdue administrator before he joined Florida State University as senior vice president for finance and administration, a position he held for 21 years. He also served as vice chancellor for financial affairs at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne from 1980 to 1990. At Purdue, Carnaghi held a variety of business officer positions, including assistant director of wage and salary administration, director of Purdue's Budget Office, School of Business administrator, and education departmental business representative. 

Carnaghi graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1967 and Purdue University with a Master of Science in higher education in 1975. He was a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity and the College of Business Student Council.

Carnaghi was affiliated with several organizations, including the FSU Research Foundation, FSU University Center Club governing board and FSU International Programs. Other professional affiliations include: Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO), Central Association of College and University Business Officers (CACUBO), National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC). 

During his time at Purdue, Carnaghi achieved a great deal, and his track record within Purdue's business system was remarkable. Many felt it was Purdue's great loss when he took his business acumen south. FSU was twice recognized, in 2013 and 2014, by U.S. News and World Report as “the most efficient high-quality university in the country,” attributes that attest directly to John's leadership abilities and skills. Other public recognitions of Carnaghi's services—both at Purdue and FSU—are numerous, varied, and representative of the highest achievements. 

He was widely recognized as both an exceptional manager and leader—a manager in the sense that he ensured that existing functions and processes were accomplished with efficiency and effectiveness—a leader in the sense that he was an innovator and visionary who ensured that the best functions and processes were adopted.