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Joseph E. Johnson

President Emeritus, Affiliate Faculty

Biography

Joseph Johnson joined the University of Tennessee in 1958 and continues to serve the university as President Emeritus. Prior to becoming president in 1990, his assignments included alumni relations, public relations, fundraising, governmental relations, campus planning, capital construction, and liaison between President’s office and intercollegiate athletics. He also, served three years as Vice President for Business and Finance, along with being Executive Vice President and Vice President for Development.

Education

BA in History
Birmingham - Southern College 1955

Certificate in Public Administration
Southern Regional Training Program in Public Administration 1956

MA in Public Administration
University of Tennessee 1960

EdD in Higher Education and Industrial Management
University of Tennessee 1968

Work History

University of Tennessee Research Associate and Instructor, Department of Political Science 1958-1959

State of Tennessee, Chief of Budget Division, Executive Assistant to the Governor and Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Administration 1960-1963

University of Tennessee
Executive Assistant to the President 1963-1969
Vice President for Development 1969-1973
Chancellor-Center for the Health Sciences 1970-1973
Vice President for Development and Executive Vice President 1973-1990
President 1990-1999
President Emeritus 1999-2003
Interim President 2003-2004
President Emeritus 2004-Present

University of Tennessee primary assignments until becoming President were alumni relations, public relations, fundraising, governmental relations, campus planning, capital construction, and liaison between President's office and intercollegiate athletics. Also, served three years as Vice President for Business and Finance, along with being Executive Vice President and Vice President for Development.

Military

U.S. Army – Honorably discharged as a Sergeant 1956-1958

Organizations

Golden Key Honor Society
Omicron Delta Kappa
Phi Beta Kappa
Phi Kappa Phi
Council for the Advancement of Education
Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Finance Committee
Board of Directors of Home Federal Bank of East Tennessee
Executive Committee of Smoky Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America
Past President of the Smoky Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America
Board and Advisory Council Member of the Southern Region Boy Scouts of America
Board of Directors of the Helen Ross McNabb Mental Health Center Foundation
Board of Directors of the Imagination Library – Knox County
Board of Directors of the East Tennessee Community Design Center
Board of Directors of Knox Area Rescue Ministries
Board of Directors of the University of Tennessee Medical Center
Board of Directors of South College
Board of Directors of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation


Contact Information

  • 116 Conference Center Building The University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN 37996-4116
  • Phone: 865-974-3030
  • E-mail: jjohnso3@utk.edu