General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening '89 Receives HS Alma Mater's 'Polaris Award'

October 7, 2017

Jeffrey Harmening, chief executive officer of General Mills Inc. (NYSE: GIS) and 1989 graduate of DePauw University, is the recipient of the Terre Haute North Vigo High School 2017-18 Polaris Award for Patriots of Purpose.  The award is presented annually "to recognize three current or former staff, or alumni who have brought distinction to North Vigo High School through meaningful personal, professional, or civic accomplishments."

Harmening received his award at an October 2 banquet.

"Harmening has a long history with General Mills, including a role as chief executive officer of Cereal Partners Worldwide, a joint venture with Nestle headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland," notes the Terre Haute Tribune-Star. "Harmening also served as president of General Mills Big G cereal division and was a leader in marketing strategy and activity in markets worldwide. He credits his Terre Haute roots as having had a major impact upon his business approach. He returns frequently to Indiana to visit relatives and to serve on the DePauw Board of Trustees. He also serves on the board of Partners in Food Solutions, an independent nonprofit organization that strives to strengthen food security, improve nutrition and increase economic development across Africa." (l-r: Polaris Award winners Steve Weatherford [former NFL star and philanthropist]; Kristin Fleschner [activist for persons with disabilities];  and Harmening)

An economics major and Management Fellow at DePauw, Jeff Harmening received an M.B.A. from Harvard University and serves on DePauw's Board of Trustees.  A frequent visitor to campus, Harmening's February 2003 address to Management Fellows was covered in this story.

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