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Thomas W. Johnson
Department of Anthropology
1990
"Tom
has been concerned with more than just academic successes, he is
concerned with the whole person. He has been the ideal 'teacher's
role model', boosting self-esteem, enhancing and helping to build a
lifestyle of personal insight and fairness.
One of
Tom's most important qualities is the ability to be human! To
demonstrate this - last semester I had a heavy load, 21 units. Tom
came into one of the campus eateries to get his morning tea and came
to where I was sitting, studying for midterms. He sat to talk for a
few minutes time that he could have spent anywhere - and I didn't
hail him. He somehow knew I was depressed - something my own family
had missed. Just like a good friend/great teacher, he gave me a hug -
that human kindness that can mean more than any other!
Of all
the advisors that I have had during my academic career, Tom has had
the greatest positive input, Through his guidance and counseling, he
has helped me find those tools, strengths, and virtues within my life
and the world that will help me be a good teacher. I hope that I can
be such a model for others."
-- Marion
Canada
Student Teacher
Northside Center
"Tom
understands that while one can be fed amounts of information, it
remains useless unless incorporated into some kind of world view.
Only then can it be utilized in decision making and to provide the
joy that comes with a new insight or idea. Unless applied to an
already existing framework, information escapes absorption into the
individual's personality. But students cannot begin to build a view
of the world most appropriate to their needs, interest, and goals
until they know who they are. Tom feels that an important part of an
advisor's job is to help students make that discovery. He feels that
encouraging students to trust themselves is part and parcel of the
advising process, because by the time many of the students have
finished their formal education, they have no idea who they are or
what they really want to do. Some attempt to begin the painful
process but often it is way to late. He believes that an advisor can
help students know themselves by promoting participation in the
decision making process and by inspiring self-confidence. In so doing
he stresses the learning process rather than accumulating isolated
facts out of any kind of context."
-- Richard
Wilson
Professor of Theater Arts and Liberal Studies advisor
"I
remember the first time that I was introduced to Dr. Johnson. It was
the first time that I was to visit the third floor offices of the
Anthropology Department. I was told then that Dr. Johnson was a "good
and kind man" and I am now in position to fully agree with that apt
description.
I feel
it is time for the quiet, understanding and caring people of our
society to be honored for their unselfish efforts and contributions.
There is no doubt in my mind that Dr. Thomas Johnson is deserving of
such recognition."
-- Martha Roche
Whitaker
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