KC professor honored by HISD

JEANNE JOHNSON Henderson ISD Alumni Association will honor its 10th class of Distinguished Alumni Friday in conjunction with homecoming activities.

The three honorees for 2008 - - William Ashby ('57), Jeanne Jordan Johnson ('67) and Emily Parker ('67) - will be feted at a private luncheon, as well as public reception at 6 p.m. in the Henderson Middle School Band Hall. They will also be presented during pre-game festivities in Lion Stadium beginning at 7 p.m.

"We hope that many people in the community will take the opportunity to come by and congratulate our distinguished graduates" said Alumni Association president Martha Melton, who noted that the 6 p.m. reception will be casual dress with most people going on to the football game.

Jeanne Johnson, who is a Kilgore resident, is one of the three honorees. She is an honor graduate of the Henderson ISD class of 1967 and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis W. Jordan. She received an associate of arts degree from Kilgore College in 1969, followed by bachelor's and master's degrees from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University-Commerce) in 1971 and 1972.

Johnson did further graduate work at the University of North Texas. In 1972, she began a four-year stint on the vocal faculty at East Texas Baptist University, moving to Kilgore College in 1976 where she remains today.

During her tenure at KC, she has taught private voice, voice class, music theory, fundamentals and music appreciation. She is in her 14th year serving as chair of the KC Department of Music and Dance.

Johnson's awards and honors include Who's Who in several categories (American Universities, American Women, America's Teachers and Who's Who in America).

While in college she was named to Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Chi and Mortar Board. During her career she has been a soloist with major symphonies and with numerous college, church, civic and community choruses. She was a regional finalist with the Metropolitan Opera, as well as the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She has performed at the national convention of NATS, at the premiere event of the East Texas Enrichment Series honoring Van Cliburn and as part of the 900th anniversary celebration for the Worksop Priory in England.

Johnson was named Outstanding Faculty Member for Kilgore College in 2001-2002, was the Piper Professor nominee for KC in 2006 and was cited for Excellence in Teaching by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development at U.T. Austin in 2007 and 2008.

She is married to Roland Johnson and the couple has two sons, Brian and Colin.