Distinguished Corporate Citizenship Award

James Shannon on left and Ronald James, CEBC President and CEO, on right.

James Patrick Shannon

Vice President, General Mills, Inc., and President and Executive Director, General Mills Foundation, 1980-1988

Executive Director, Minneapolis Foundation, 1974-1978
Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, 1965-1968

President, College of St. Thomas, 1956-1966  

September 27, 2000

This award recognizes one who embodies the mission of the Center for Ethical Business Cultures (formerly the Minnesota Center for Corporate Responsibility). This person's sustained and imaginative leadership stands as a model for all of us and for future business leaders. We are proud of their exemplary service to business and to all of our communities. 

The following remarks were made by Ronald James, President and CEO of the Center for Ethical Business Cultures, at CEBC's annual meeting.

As the Center for Ethical Business Cultures begins its journey into the future, we recognize that we are the inheritors of that Culture of Corporate Citizenship described by Bill Bockelman.  Our work today builds on a foundation laid by those who have gone before us and those who, over two decades ago, created this Center. To move forward wisely, – as a center, as corporate citizens, and as a community – we must adapt our legacy from past leaders to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

We are blessed to live in a community with many people who deserve the Center’s Distinguished Corporate Citizenship Award. This year we honor James Patrick Shannon because in so many ways he exemplifies “the best of the best.”

Jim’s associates in business, academia, and nonprofits painted an inspiring portrait. As we talked with them, three large themes emerged, themes of a life lived faithfully and well.

First, Jim, you have been a conscience of the community, characteristically leading by own example.

Your long-time friend, seminary classmate and successor as president of what is now the University of St. Thomas Monsignor Terrence Murphy attributes your reputation to your tireless support of worthwhile causes, particularly those that affect the poor, the less fortunate, the marginalized people.

Robert White, foreign affairs columnist for the Star Tribune, said that you believe in the human capacity for good and set an example by practicing it. 

Paul Parker, your former boss at General Mills, said you made the executive group there into believers and leaders in corporate citizenship. You made them know that this was a legitimate part of the business and was worthy of their attention and support.

He also said that hiring you was one of the two or three best and happiest decisions he made in a long business career.

Tom Holloran, formerly of Medtronic and now a professor at the University of St. Thomas, told us that your work at General Mills helped to legitimize corporate philanthropy, paving the way for many other companies and business leaders to be involved in their communities and to utilize corporate resources to help solve community problems.

The second theme we heard was of service, noting your consistent ability to see the big picture, your persistent concern for those who are less fortunate and your skill in finding long-term solutions.

Tom Holloran noted that you have been remarkable in adapting to enormous change in your own life, yet whether as a priest, a teacher or a corporate executive, you are always serving, helping others to make a better life. 

You have participated on and led more boards than anyone might care to count, both in this region and nationally. When you have seen a need, you gathered colleagues and acted to build an organization that would meet that need, including among that list, I might add, this Center.

Ronnie Brooks leads the Institute for Renewing Community Leadership. She said, “I find Jim amazing! He brings a combination of very clear practiced values and a willingness to contribute, listen and learn based on those values. 

Jim, we also heard of your gifts as a communicator, both listening and persuading.

Charlie Mundale, former editor of Corporate Report, said, “Jim is a consummate gentleman and a great communicator, both responsible and responsive and always gracious.”

Your old boss Paul Parker told us that you have great powers of persuasion, all done so disarmingly that your listeners didn’t know what hit them after it was all over.

Robert White, of the Star Tribune, said that you possess “vigor, grace, insight, good humor and an art of argument that is all too rare. For this man of gentle disposition but strong will brushes past the opposition like a steel-lined feather duster.

The concluding words go to your friend and colleague David Nasby of General Mills, “Jim Shannon has been a key contributor to the quality of life in this region for more than four decades. Thousands of us call him teacher, mentor, example and friend. We’re all better because you crossed our path.”

We can’t say it any better. 

James Patrick Shannon, we are honored that you and your wife, Ruth, have joined us here today. On behalf of this Center and its board of directors that you have served so well, I am proud to present you with the Center for Ethical Business Cultures’ Distinguished Corporate Citizenship Award.

Center for Ethical Business Cultures

1000 LaSalle Avenue, TMH 331 ▪ Minneapolis, MN 55403-2005 ▪ USA

Phone: 651 962 4120 or 800 328 6819 Ext. 2-4120 ▪ Facsimile: 651 962 4042

Email: mail@cebcglobal.org

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