Alfred Janney Johnson, 1918
A.B., Denison University
M.B.A., Harvard University
Granville, Ohio
Citation awarded on Saturday, June 2, 1973
In Gamma Iota Zeta circles of Lambda Chi “there is probably no more respected alumnus” than Alfred Johnson, to quote from the November 1957 issue of GILXA. After several years with Dayton and Columbus banking firms, Al’s love of Denison brought him back to Granville in 1928 to serve the college first as bursar and later as business manager for 29 years. He has been business manager emeritus since 1966. As a member of the administrative staff he was a tireless worker, a wise counselor, and a great friend of the Society of Alumni. His three children are Denisonians.
His association with Denison starts as a child growing up in Granville as the son of a professor. During his years at Denison he has been chairman of the Lambda Chi building committee for the new house and “one of the most energetic workers toward making this dream a reality.” He attended chapter meetings consistently as an alumni adviser, served as High Pi, and epitomized for actives the ideal of service to fraternity.
He was an active fundraiser working in various capital gifts and annual support campaigns for the University. He has been an effective ambassador of the college in the community with his long-term services as a member of the board of education, community planning board, zoning board, Granville Rotary Club, past president of Newark Rotary, the First Baptist Church, Granville Business Men’s Association, and Center Star Lodge.
He has also served his class as treasurer for 55 years and as its reunion manager for most if not all of its reunions, past Alumni Councils for several terms, past homecoming and class day planning committees for at least 15 years.
Al’s devotion to Denison epitomizes the ideal of alumni service to the college.
