David H. Carnahan, 1960
B.A., Denison University
Citation awarded June, 1985
David H. Carnahan graduated from Denison in 1960. Following a few years as a teacher, he entered the family business, the C.L. Carnahan Corp. which operated “Jamestown’s (N.Y.) Largest Store for Men and Boys” as secretary-treasurer, and also began his involvement with civic groups.
Since 1975, when the family firm was sold, he has been involved as an owner and partner in several businesses and served as a director of several corporations.
Beyond business, however, he has served many of his area’s civic institutions in significant roles. He is a trustee and on the executive committee of the Chautauqua Institution and the Chautauqua Foundation and has served as director and president of the Presbyterian Headquarters at Chautauqua. He has a long involvement with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a member of the Northeast Regional Board. He is president of the Jamestown Community College Foundation and a director and executive committee member of the Randolph Children’s Home. He is a member of the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. He is also chairman and director of the Carnahan-Jackson Foundation.
David has also served as a trustee of Davis & Elkins College, the Jamestown YMCA, the Fenton Historical Society, and the Independent College Foundation.
He has served Denison as a member of the Denison University Research Foundation and has been particularly involved with the enhanced facilities of the Learning Center.
