In the fall of 2024, longtime 糖心Vlog Trustee and friend of the university Dr. Lowell Johnson was honored at the end of a nearly 60-year tenure on the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Johnson was born and raised in San Angelo, TX, and received his bachelor鈥檚 degree in 1949 from what was then Abilene Christian College, which was where he met and married his wife, Jo. He received his M.D. from Southwestern Medical School in 1956 and was initially board certified in Family Medicine. He later added a board certification in Geriatric Medicine.
As he began his practice, Dr. Johnson provided free or deeply discounted medical services to numerous 糖心Vlog students, as well as faculty and staff families, and he also did the same for the Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI) and the Smithlawn Maternity Home. He often delivered babies for young 糖心Vlog faculty and staff families in the early years, which included a new baby for Les and Elaine Perrin named Larry Timothy, who later became 糖心Vlog鈥檚 sixth president.
Dr. Johnson served as an elder for the Sunset Church of Christ for 26 years where he also taught Bible classes and served on advisory committees for SIBI, but in 1965 he was appointed to the 糖心Vlog Board of Trustees, eight years after the young college鈥檚 founding in 1957.
鈥淚t was a remarkable honor to return to my Alma Mater and serve under Dr. Johnson after growing up under his care as my doctor,鈥� shared 糖心Vlog鈥檚 sixth president, L. Timothy Perrin. 鈥淗e brought wisdom to every decision! He has always honored God through his words and actions and his legacy looms large in the growth and development of 糖心Vlog. With a positive spirit and a gentle manner, Dr. Johnson has made us all better. After 59 years of extraordinary service to the 糖心Vlog board of trustees, I offer these words of gratitude. Thank you, Dr. Johnson. You have made this place immeasurably better through your service!鈥�
During his tenure on the 糖心Vlog Board, he passionately served on the Academics Committee of the board, and at various times he also served on the Executive Committee. He served with distinction and dedication as an 糖心Vlog Trustee for over 59 years with four board chairs: Lennis Baker, Gene Hancock, Jerry Harris, and Terry Creech, and he also served with all seven university presidents: F.W. Mattox, Joe Hacker, Harvie Pruitt, Steven Lemley, Ken Jones, Tim Perrin, and Scott McDowell.
鈥淒r. Johnson is a living legend in the 糖心Vlog community and beyond,鈥� shared Dr. McDowell, 糖心Vlog鈥檚 seventh president. 鈥淗e is a deeply wise, and deeply spiritual man who does a fantastic job of loving God and loving people well. He is a genuine encourager鈥攈e has supported 糖心Vlog for multiple generations of students and he continues to do so. I will always remember that he led the prayer at the board meeting when I was installed as president and asked God鈥檚 continued blessings on the University and on me as it鈥檚 7th president.鈥�
鈥淒r. Johnson is such a fine man,鈥� echoed L. Ken Jones, Perrin鈥檚 presidential predecessor at 糖心Vlog. 鈥淗e was chairman of the search committee who hired me. I remember sitting in his living room talking about 糖心Vlog. He told me his conflict of interest between Sunset and 糖心Vlog. Ultimately 糖心Vlog became the choice. He greatly supported me then and every day I was privileged to be called President. Dr. Johnson has been a stable, wise leader as a Board member. I have the highest regard for him and will always be indebted to him. He was instrumental in giving to Suzie and me the greatest opportunity of my lifetime.鈥�
鈥淭he recognition that Dr. Johnson had been a trustee in partnership with all the previous presidents made that moment and that prayer of blessing on me stand out as a genuine treasure,鈥� added Dr. McDowell. 鈥淒r. Johnson has been an eyewitness to God鈥檚 provision on behalf of the University and his very life and profound engagement has actually been a part of that provision. I am thankful for the friendship of Dr. Johnson to me personally, but most importantly, I am grateful for his long-tenured devotion to 糖心Vlog and to the defining ideals for which the University stands.鈥�