Beyond the Gift: The Enduring Impact of George Johnson
By Nia Rincon
Inside the Maxine A. Smith University Center Ballroom, University of Memphis seniors excitedly line up to participate in a beloved University tradition. The tables are decorated with festive flowers and décor with fine china and wrapped silverware expertly arranged at each seat. As the seniors file in and choose their seats, servers fill their glasses. There is a palpable buzz in the air as the room begins to fill. This isn’t a fine dining restaurant experiment, it’s the Senior Class Luncheon.
This completely donor-funded event is dedicated to celebrating the senior students’ hard work and sends them off on the next phase of their journey feeling accomplished. Door prizes tailored to young professionals are raffled off. The seniors also get a chance to hear their class president and other peers share words of wisdom and congratulations. Now in its 10th year, this tradition has become a favorite.
The Senior Class Luncheon would not be possible without the generosity and vision of George (BBA ’70) and Betty Johnson (MEd ’75). Through the creation of several endowed scholarship opportunities and philanthropic programs — including the Distinguished Professorship Award; the George Johnson Research and Teaching Fellowship Award Program; the Senior Scholarship Program and the Senior Luncheon — the Johnsons’ generosity has made a lasting impact at the UofM.
George Johnson is a member of the UofM Board of Visitors and past president of the University of Memphis Foundation. The impact of George and Betty on the University has also been recognized with a Distinguished Alumni Award, one of the University’s highest honors.
“Being a citizen of this city, it is apparent to me the importance of this University to the well-being of the community,” George said.
“I have been fortunate in my business career, and I want to help students achieve their potential and be an asset to society.”
The event is a testament to the transformative impact that a single individual can have on the lives of many, turning a milestone celebration into a memorable and heartfelt experience for graduating seniors.
The Johnsons’ inspiration for the event came after attending the graduation of their daughter from the University of Virginia, where a student speaker mentioned one of his favorite memories being their senior lunch. When they discovered the UofM didn’t yet have this tradition, the Johnsons volunteered to sponsor it.
“This luncheon was always intended to be a reward for the hard work of the seniors for their accomplishment but to also encourage them to help Betty and I start the Senior Class Gift,” George said.
The Senior Class Gift is a campaign designed to encourage senior students to pay it forward by supporting scholarships for the incoming freshman class. It also acts as preparation for their transition into the alumni community and any future giving.
By matching the contributions of seniors, Johnson has created a way to instill philanthropic ideals in each senior class that they carry into the future.
“I am truly grateful for this scholarship; it allows me to focus on my studies without the additional financial stress,” said Zakeria Williams, a sophomore who is a recipient of a Senior Class Gift Scholarship.
“I have the opportunity to be more involved in my community and on campus. It really means the world to me to be able to follow my dreams of becoming a nurse. I cannot wait until I am able to give back to my fellow Tigers.”
When the seniors give back, they uplift all of the students who come after them and allow them to focus on their studies without financial worries.
“It has given Betty and I great pleasure to see the students and to thank them for choosing the University of Memphis and to congratulate them for their impressive accomplishment,” George said.
“I love the city of Memphis, and I am dedicated to doing whatever I can to make it a better place to study, work and live.”
In the heart of our Tiger community, Johnson’s impact is undeniable. His generosity has set a powerful example of positive change, touching lives and brightening the future for UofM students. His influence shows the profound difference that one single person can make in the collective well-being of thousands of individuals.
In the words of former University President Dr. M. David Rudd, “His caring is only rivaled by his impact.”