Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, John attended New Trier High School, graduating in 1982. After graduation, he attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin where, in addition to earning a BA in History, John was a varsity football player and co-captain of the lacrosse club. After a five-year stint in the business world, John returned to academia in 1991 where he enrolled in the graduate history program at the Ohio State University.
Ph.D. - The Ohio State University
M.A. - The Ohio State University
B.A. - Lawrence University