Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ family inspired to make meaningful impact on Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Day

Richard ’87 P’17 and Laurie Johnson P’17 extend their Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ legacy with a generous planned gift.

Nelson Henderson once said, “the true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.â€� Planting those trees is just what Richard ’87 P’17 and Laurie Johnson P’17 did when they recently made a planned gift to Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ.

Laurie and Richard Johnson

Inspired by Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Day and the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ LEADS Campaign, the Johnsons’ gift ensures their legacy will live on for many years to come. Their seeds of generosity will benefit students far beyond the present day. “In honor of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Day 2020, our family made a legacy commitment to Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ and joined the Order of the Oak. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Day is a day when the global Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ family comes together in support of our amazing university,â€� says Johnson, who is senior vice president and chief consumer lending officer for MainStreet Bank in Virginia. “We believe in the power of education and in helping Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ students achieve their educational goals. Long Live Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ!â€�

For over 30 years, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ has been a part of their family. Richard graduated from Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ in 1987 and their daughter, Grace, crossed the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ stage 30 years later in 2017. Throughout this time, the Johnsons have witnessed and participated in the growth and progress of this institution and community. They helped shape its course by supporting efforts like the School of Communications, the Schar Center and most recently, The Inn at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ, and have been active in volunteer roles on various boards and councils.

Their generosity is always about helping Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ rise—gently nudging it forward to grow into the school and community it was meant to become when the founders broke ground on the grove of oaks so long ago.

The Johnsons are all in for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ. This Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Day, join them by making a gift—and plant trees for future generations by considering a planned gift. Learn more .