John K. McCormac

John K. McCormac was born March 25, 1922, in Columbia, S.C., the some of A.B. McCormac and Henrietta "Etta" Rideoutte McCormac. McCormac is a 1940 graduate of Columbia High School. He retired from State Farm Insurance Company in 1992 after 37 years of service. During World War II, he was a B-52 pilot. He is a member of the War Birds Pilot Association. He flew for the South Carolina National Guard for 17 years and retired with the rank of major.

In 1966, McCormac organized the Georgetown Higher Education Commission in order for higher educational opportunities to be provided for citizens of Georgetown County. He served as the commission's chair form 1967 to 1973 and continued as a commission member until 1987. In 1970, classes were held in Georgetown for the first time, in Duncan Memorial Methodist Church, while groundwork was laid for the establishment of the Georgetown Education Center. The center began offering classes in the fall of 1972 at the campus on Cleland Street. Courses were offered through USC Coastal Carolina College and Horry-Georgetown Technical College.

In 1994, Coastal Carolina University presented McCormac with the Georgetown Higher Education Commission Service Award in recognition of his contributions to the commission and leadership to the university and the community. McCormac has served as a member of the board of directors for the American Red Cross, NationsBank, Big Brothers Association and Boy Scouts of America. He also is active with the Masons. McCormac is a member of Duncan Memorial Methodist Church, where he serves on the board of trustees.

He is married to the former Marian Rowell. They have two daughters: Kay Bonnoitt and Etta Siau and four grandchildren.

McCormac was named an honorary founder of Coastal Carolina University in 1995.