Oklahoma Baptist University Honors Dr. Juanita Franklin Johnson with Induction into Faculty Hall of Fame
October 29, 2023
Oklahoma Baptist University proudly announces the induction of Dr. Juanita Franklin Johnson into the OBU Faculty Hall of Fame. The prestigious ceremony occurred on Oct. 20th at the Cargill Alumni Center on the OBU campus in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Dr. Johnson, an esteemed alumna of OBU and the first black inductee, has dedicated her life to nursing, education, and community service. Her journey with OBU began in 1967 when she earned her B.S. degree in Nursing from the university. Johnson’s commitment to education and continuous growth led her to the OU Health Sciences Center, where she earned an M.S. in Nursing in 1975 and a Ph.D. in Nursing in 1998. She became a Registered Nurse in the State of Oklahoma in 1986, marking the beginning of a remarkable career.
Dr. Johnson’s association with OBU was transformative. She served as an Associate Professor of Nursing from 1986 until her retirement in 2003, after which she was awarded Professor Emeritus. Even in retirement, her dedication to education persisted as she continued tutoring students in various subjects, including nursing, psychology, sociology, philosophy, statistics, and writing, from 2003 to 2010.
One of Johnson’s enduring legacies at OBU was her co-authoring a pharmacology textbook and developing, implementing, and teaching two pharmacology courses for an impressive 17 years. Her contributions also extended to writing chapter-end test questions in the Fundamentals of Nursing textbook used by OBU for several years. Furthermore, Johnson pioneered an online medical terminology course that served students from various disciplines and generated revenue for OBU.
As an ex-officio member of Dr. Bob Agee’s President’s Council, Johnson significantly enhanced OBU’s student handbook and university catalog, particularly in plagiarism prevention and the sexual assault reporting procedure.
Johnson’s impact extended beyond academics. She was a dedicated tutor, offering her expertise not only to nursing students but also to athletes and graduate students, among others. Dr. Johnson’s “Open Door” policy on Wednesdays at her office, where students could drop in anytime, exemplified her commitment to their success. Her home was also open to students, where they not only received academic support but enjoyed a warm meal and a sense of belonging.
Dr. Johnson’s outstanding contributions garnered national recognition from the American Bar Association for her Outstanding Performance as an Educator. She was invited to Washington, DC, where she met President Clinton and the entire cabinet, representing OBU with distinction. Her commitment to excellence and student advocacy made her a standout in education.
Furthermore, Johnson received international recognition from the United Kingdom when she was honored with the Diana Award, a prestigious accolade for social action and humanitarian work. Her dedication to caring for sick families, assisting with funerals, and tutoring community residents made her a beacon of hope and compassion.
Despite challenges, including a house fire that destroyed many artifacts documenting her achievements, Johnson’s impact on students and the OBU community remains vivid in the memories of those she touched.
We celebrate the contributions of Dr. Johnson at OBU and in the Black community as a pioneer during difficult times.
