When it’s personal, it’s powerful

John Mulcahy ’87 P’27

By Margaret Wilson

“Look for ways to share your knowledge and talents.” 

This is advice from John Mulcahy ’87, P’27, currently co-chair of the Lafayette Sustainability Alumni Affinity Network, to alumni or friends who are considering supporting the College. 

Today, as vice president of stewardship for Georgia-Pacific, it’s clear that Mulcahy’s knowledge and talents heavily include advancing sustainability efforts. But back in 1983, when he matriculated at Lafayette, he probably wouldn’t have suspected such a path for himself. 

In fact, Mulcahy came to Lafayette planning to be an engineer. However, he quickly realized it wasn’t his calling. He pivoted to major in economics and business, a move that underscored the world of possibilities available at Lafayette.  

“There were schools [I was considering attending] where changing my degree would have meant changing schools,” Mulcahy says. “That pivot was pretty easy at a place like Lafayette, because you have the ‘power of and.’ I really benefited from a school that had such great programs in both STEM and liberal arts.” 

After graduation, Mulcahy found a position at Georgia-Pacific, where he has now served in various capacities for his whole career. While working on reducing the end-of-life impact of the company’s paper products, Mulcahy found himself learning the intricacies of sustainable design and strategy, eventually leading him to his current position. 

Mulcahy first got involved in the College’s sustainability efforts during the pandemic, when he participated in a virtual discussion on sustainability careers. He stayed connected with Sustainability Director Delicia Nahman, and stepped up when the Affinity Network was formed. 

“Having someone with John’s expertise in the field of sustainability to co-lead our Affinity Network is indispensable,” Nahman says. “John not only understands the Lafayette experience intimately, but is a great example for other alumni starting their careers in sustainability. We are so grateful that he is willing to offer his time and expertise to mentoring the next generation of environmental champions to sustain a thriving people and planet.”

Mulcahy sees the values of Lafayette echoed in the world of sustainability, which encourages him to support the next generation of stewards. 

“Sustainability is a discipline that requires not only strong STEM capabilities, but strong liberal arts and humanities capabilities as well,” he says. “It’s a lot about being able to understand impacts, but also being able to tell the story and connect the progress you’re making with the needs that are out there. I think the way Lafayette is set up, and the culture it has created, suits a network like [the Alumni Affinity Network] very well.”  

While Mulcahy’s expertise lies in sustainability, it’s really all about forming connections with his alma mater in whatever way he can be of most use. 

“I think my years at Lafayette were such a transformative, impactful time in my life … I want to do what I can to improve the experience for the students who are there now,” Mulcahy says. “I want to improve the experience for the alumni who are out in the work world, trying to do what they can to make the world a better place. By helping build these communities like the Affinity Network, I think it creates a forum for people to get together and share ideas, and maybe make some connections.” 

John Mulcahy ’87, P’27 is pictured with his son, Griffin ’27, during a recent trip to Colorado.

In addition to building those connections, Mulcahy also contributes philanthropically, supporting the College through contributions to the Lafayette College Fund and giving initiatives such as Bring the Roar. But giving the gift of time will always be something close to his heart, an ethic he inherited from his father, a frequent volunteer for local efforts in their New Jersey hometown. 

“Volunteering is an important complement to financial support,” he says. “It’s something that’s always been important to me, whether it’s to my college or other things that are important. For me, a common thread is helping youth succeed and natural resource conservation. Others will have different priorities. It’s finding what speaks to you.”  

While it may seem like Mulcahy is putting all his energy into sustainability, this isn’t the only thing that speaks to him on campus. He’s passionate about the work of Gateway Career Center, frequently utilizing the GatewayLink tool to mentor young professionals. He also connects with local alumni chapters in his home state of Georgia, and serves as vice chair of the Southeast Alumni Advisory Board.

Mulcahy also recently contributed to the renovation of Portlock Black Cultural Center in honor of the retirement of his former economics professor, Rex Ahene. 

“In 1986, I had [Ahene] for econ, and he was a brand-new professor and has stayed at Lafayette this entire time,” Mulcahy says. “When he announced his retirement, I had a conversation with the development team about how I could recognize his contributions to me and to the College. It was just another connection that was personal to me.”   

Mulcahy’s personal connections to the College even extend into the future. As a parent of a member of the Class of 2027, Mulcahy gets to see the College through new eyes, with more opportunities to return to campus and connect with friends and colleagues. 

To Mulcahy, when you can build upon the memories and experiences you loved as a student, this is when you can supercharge your motivation to give back in a way that makes sense for you.

“I think we all have different skills and gifts that we can share with others. I have knowledge, I have insights, and I have time that I can give. Start small and see where it goes.”