Honoring devotion
Note: This
story was originally published in the Spring 2015 issue of Berry magazine.
Dr. Janna Johnson
(81C, FS), lecturer in mathematics and computer science, has devoted the last
30 years to helping Berry students reach their full potential. Last spring her
family surprised her by endowing a Gate of Opportunity Scholarship in her name,
ensuring that her legacy at Berry continues forever.
“I was totally
shocked and overwhelmed,” said Johnson, who learned of the honor when she
walked into what she thought was a meeting and instead found a room full of
family and friends. “It took a couple of days for me to process the enormity of
what they had done. Berry is such a special place to me. To know that there
will be something in my name that will exist beyond my time here is amazing. I
appreciate my family’s support and generosity. This gift means so much to me.”
Gate Scholarships
offer students who otherwise might not be able to afford a college education
the chance to work their way through Berry and graduate debt free. To the
Johnson family, it was the perfect honor.
“Janna is passionate
about Berry students,” said brother Jimmie Johnson (85C), who led the effort
with wife Jennifer Smith Johnson (85C). “She has had such an impact on
students. Knowing that her scholarship will exist forever at Berry is the best
feeling of all.”
Johnson
joined Berry’s faculty in 1983. In addition to teaching, she is also Berry’s
faculty athletic representative and advisor for Athletes Bettering the
Community.
Photo
by student Lauren Neumann