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Unabashed and Loving it Gene Johnson, first alumnus to lead Board of Trustees
By Paul Nowell
Gene Johnson recently was installed as the chairman of the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees, taking over from Ruth Shaw. Making it an even more historical event is the fact that Johnson is the first alumnus to lead the University’s governing board. While Johnson is retired, he is far from retiring in his affection and dedication to his alma mater. Unabashed in his fanatic support for 49ers sports, his personal mission statement also features a goal to improve the academic reputation of UNC Charlotte. Johnson has been involved with UNC Charlotte for most of his life as a member of several boards and committees and as a generous supporter. The former chairman and chief executive officer at FairPoint Communications Inc., Johnson has served on the Belk College of Business Advisory Council, the Alumni Board of Governors and the board of directors of the 49ers Athletic Foundation. He was inducted into the UNC Charlotte Alumni Hall of Fame in 1997 and was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2000. Media Relations Manager Paul Nowell recently caught up with Johnson after his morning workout at the Dowd YMCA. An avid cyclist, Johnson recently completed a ride from Asheville to Ocean Isle Beach.
Q: What brought you to UNC Charlotte in the first place?
I was in the Army stationed at West Point and my wife Vickie had gone for two years to Campbell University (then Campbell College). I was given the chance to transfer anywhere I wanted and I picked Charlotte because of the University and the fact that there were military installations here. I started in night school and ended up going full-time when I got out of the service. 16 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine
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