Methodist University Mourns the Loss of Interim Vice-President for Academic Affairs Wenda Johnson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 19, 2007
MARIA SIKORYAK-ROBINS
DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY PUBLICATIONS

FAYETTEVILLE, NC—It is with great sadness that Methodist University announces the death of Dr. Wenda Johnson, 58, interim vice-president for Academic Affairs and dean of the University. Dr. Johnson was found dead in her home this morning. Details of her death are unknown at this time. A campus-wide memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, March 22, in Reeves Auditorium. Dr. Johnson is survived by her mother, Mrs. Arvis Johnson of Haines City, Fla., and her brother, Francis Duane Johnson of Auburndale, Fla.

Dr. Johnson came to Methodist University on Aug. 14, 1991 as chair of the Physical Education Department. Prior to her appointment as interim vice-president for Academic Affairs and dean of the University, Dr. Johnson was extremely instrumental to the University as associate vice-president for Academic Affairs and dean of the School of Science and Human Development. She provided advice and counsel to the vice-president for Academic Affairs, oversight of nontraditional academic programs, including MC at Night, MC Online, and a variety of new initiatives designed to improve outreach to adult students in the six-county region surrounding Methodist University.

Dr. Johnson’s hard work and long hours resulted in, among other things, the successful reaccreditation of the Methodist University Teacher Education Program by state and national accreditation teams. Dr. Johnson maintained her status as a tenured faculty member in the Department of Wellness and Exercise Science.

Dr. Johnson graduated from Haines City High School in Haines City, Fla. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla. Dr. Johnson then went on to earn her master’s degree from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky., and her doctorate in physical education from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. She served as professor and chair of the physical education department at Newberry College in Newberry, S.C., and visiting professor of education at the University of South Carolina-Aiken in Aiken, S.C.

For more information please contact , vice-president of University Relations, at (910) 630-7515, or , director of University Relations, at (910) 630-7043.