tional obligations. Johnson elected the sport of wrestling as his physical educa- tion activity. He was assigned to wrestle the conference champion and eventu- ally became so proficient that it seemed certain that he would defeat the champ, a student of another race. Before John- son could wrestle the champ, the coach informed Johnson that he fulfilled the requirement, thereby relieving him of the opportunity to challenge the champ. Upon graduation, Johnson began em- ployment as principal teacher in Vin- cennes, Indiana at a school for Blacks for four years, where he taught history and a variety of other subjects. Johnson moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he became a principal and school su- pervisor over all of the Black schools in the area from 1919-1924. Johnson and his family then relocated to Wilmington, Delaware, where he served 35 years as a teacher of Howard High School and as principal in the county school system. During the summers of 1921-1922 and 1924-1925, Johnson attended Columbia University, while he taught school during the regular school term. Johnson’s ambi- tion to become an administrator caused him to seek another degree and he opted to attend Columbia because he was inspired by one of his respected under- graduate professors and “…at that time [Columbia] was considered the teachers’ college of the world…” He acquired his MA degree in education in 1925. While attending Columbia, Johnson was se- lected as an assistant superintendent in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1926, Johnson served as a lecturer to Baltimore’s school principals. In the early 1920s, Johnson labelled Howard H.S. as “a disgraceful fire- trap and influenced entrepreneur and philanthropist Pierre S. du Pont to donate nearly one million dollars to build a new building. After construc- tion of the new school was complete, Johnson scrupulously selected a highly skilled faculty, the school became fully accredited in 1930 and it became the benchmark of Black Delaware schools, as it experienced exponential enrollment and graduation numbers. He proudly exclaimed that he inspired young people to “study hard, think quietly, talk gently
and act frankly.”
proud alumnus of Indiana University and took a personal hand in sending several of his best students to his alma mater. Following his tenure in Wilm- ington, he became assistant principal in history and education at Cheyney State Teachers College in Cheyney, Pennsyl- vania. which in addition to his two grandchil- dren and three in-laws receive degrees from his school. Following graduation from Indiana University, his son Fred followed Johnson’s footsteps by becom- ing an esteemed lifelong educator and member of Kappa Alpha Psi ® . Fred was a Tuskegee Airman and was the only commissioned Black navigator from the state of Delaware to serve in WWII. His granddaughter, Jody Gibson re- ceived two master degrees from Indiana University. Johnson returned to Bloom- ington nearly on an annual basis since his graduation in 1915. He enrolled at the university in the early 1930s, seeking his Ph.D. When Johnson’s father passed away, the family home was willed to him and he gave it to the university to assist others who may be in need of housing. Due to his 53 years of dedication to the university, Indiana University presented him with a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1968 with the inscribed words, “We honor a devoted alumnus whose professional and personal life has been dedicated to public school education.” Johnson fought against the adversity of receiving a sub-par primary educa- tion and facing the challenges of racial disparity and blatant discrimination to become an icon in the field of educa- tion. He not only enhanced his life by embracing education, but that of countless of other individuals whose lives he touched. Johnson embodies Black academic achievement against formidable obstacles and his tenacity to succeed still serves as an example for others to emulate. Opposite page: 1929 Graduating class of Howard High School. The University Team circa 1914, back row from left: Ellis Stewart, Herman Campbell, John Morris and Robert Skelton. Second row from left; Goldie Gahn, Frank Summers and Guy L. Grant. Third row from left: George A. Johnson, Ezra D. Alexander, Maurice Evans, Clarence Brown and Leonard Brown. Front row: Archie Simmons and unknown. In May of 1916, he married Edith Todd and they had four children, each of
Johnson was known for being a strict disciplinarian, but also created and maintained a nurturing environment, conducive to academic excellence and promoted athletics. Through his leader- ship, Howard H.S. thrived and provided its students a well-rounded curriculum and inspired them to partake in a variety
Johnson surrounded by Founders of Kappa Alpha Psi ® .
of educational experiences and encour- aged them to participate in civil and political organizations. Johnson was a
Publishing achievement for more than 100 years
THE JOURNAL SUMMER ISSUE | 57
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