After satisfying career, VUJC dean announces retirement

Dr. Alan Johnson, dean of Vincennes University Jasper, has announced he will be retiring at the end of this semester.

“It is the right time for me to step down. I am feeling really good with what has been accomplished,” he said today.

During Johnson’s tenure the university completed the addition of the Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing to the campus. The 57,000-square-foot facility features six large labs, a theater-style presentation room, computer labs and additional offices designed to teach advanced manufacturing and technology.

“The campus’ Center for Technology, Innovation & Manufacturing is in operation, staffed by the people who will make it a beacon of progressive technical education and training for our region and state,” he said.

VUJC was also recognized for several environmental leadership initiatives. The Indiana Water Resources Association (IWRA) presented its Outstanding Achievement Award to VUJC Dean Alan Johnson at the organization’s annual symposium at Spring Mill State Park on June 13, 2012. The campus was recognized in 2011 as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. In 2011, the National Wildlife Federation recognized VUJC as a certified wildlife habitat for developing part of the campus into wildlife habitat featuring native flora.

Through Johnson’s leadership, the university has also become involved in community affairs through the hosting and mediation of congressional and mayoral talks during elections cycles. Johnson and the university staff stepped up to host and mediate public forums during the biomass conversion decision-making process.

“I could not have dreamed up a more satisfying and stimulating career,” Johnson said in an email this morning. “At each stage I have worked with programs and services that have fed my intellectual curiosity, allowing me to learn a little bit about a million subjects, while helping our students achieve their educational goals and helping our faculty and staff grow their professional skills.”

Johnson has spent 48 years in education; 42 of those in higher education and 39 of those in techinical and community colleges.

Johnson’s career began in 1967. He taught high school business education and was a part of the faculty at Illinois State before shifting to an administration position. He worked at Danville Area Community College in Illinois and Anoka Transfer College in Minnesota. He was campus administrator at Chippewa Valley Technical College, in Eau Claire, Wis., before accepting the position at VUJC in 2006.

Johnson announced his retirement during a staff meeting Thursday evening.

“I have been seriously conflicted about this decision,” he continued in his email. “I still love what I do and am excited about the progress being made to improve our communities’ “sense of place” for residents.”

Johnson has served on several community organizations, most recently as chairman or the board of directors of the local economic development organization, Dubois Strong. “I am proud of my contribution to the redirection of Dubois Strong, allowing it to better lead economic development initiatives,” he said.

For Johnson, who turns 70 this year, the decision to step down was difficult but the time was right. “Several threads are converging to make this the right time to step down,” he wrote. “I have enjoyed a long, fulfilling career, several initiatives are established on a sustainable basis and I will celebrate a milestone birthday this summer. I want to go out while I’m still on top of my game.”

Johnson and his wife Carol have decided to retire to one of the communities they have served in the past. According to Johnson, the couple would like to be close to a large university in order to take advantage of the cultural and intellectual resources it offers.

In regards to the future, Johnson noted that VUJC has developed effective partnerships with numerous organizations that have complementary missions.

“Dubois County is experiencing a resurgence of energy and entrepreneurial creativity that will lead to a bright future,” he ended his email. “Be assured that I will remain actively engaged in those efforts until the day I hand the office keys to my successor.”