Sara L. Johnson, associate dean and academic coordinator in the College of Arts & Sciences, died Monday, May 17, 2004 of metastatic neuroendocrine cancer. She was 47.
Johnson, a Washington University alumna, came to work at the University in 1989 as special assistant to then-Chancellor William H. Danforth. In that capacity, she dealt with a wide variety of policy issues and concerns, as well as community relations, complaint resolution and special projects.
“Sara was a wonderful person who made us all better,” said Danforth, now Chancellor Emeritus. “Friends, colleagues and students at Washington University will all miss her.”
She served with Danforth for six years, until his retirement in 1995. She stayed in the same capacity for two more years under Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton before being named associate dean.
“I met Sara when she was a student 30 years ago, and her talent was striking even then,” said James E. McLeod, vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. “The thing I most appreciate is that we had a person of such talent and experience with deep commitment to the University and its students. She was a terrific human being, an extraordinary colleague to have.”
Among her extensive committee work, she served as chair of the committee to revise the student judicial code in 1994-95 and co-chaired the Undergraduate Council in 1996. She also served as recording secretary for the Chancellor’s Cabinet under Danforth and the University Council under Wrighton.
She was a member of groups working on staff training, undergraduate admissions and minority student recruitment, campus police issues, and inauguration and commencement planning; and she acted as a liaison to Clayton and University City and to the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood.
In addition, she served as an adjunct member of the law school faculty, teaching Pretrial Practice from 1993-95. She also served as academic adviser to undergraduate students since 1994.
“Sara Johnson was a very special person,” Wrighton said. “She assisted me in making the transition to Washington University and guided me during my first few years here. As associate dean in Arts & Sciences she emerged as a great leader for the University and a wonderful advocate and adviser for our students. She was a person with uncommon ability, sensitivity and dedication. Hers was a life of importance and she will be deeply missed by me and our entire community.”
Johnson graduated summa cum laude with bachelor of arts degrees in history and in economics in Arts & Sciences in 1978 from the University. She earned a juris doctorate in 1981 from the University of Chicago Law School.
Active in the community, Johnson served on boards for the Campus YMCA-YWCA, the Higher Education Center of St. Louis, the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council, and as a member of the Clayton Strategic Issues Committee. She chaired the Lewis Intern Committee at the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis where she was a member.
She is survived by her partner, Kathleen M. Wildman; her mother Dorothy S. Johnson, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her sister, Lisa (Harvey) Van Sickle of Santa Fe, N.M.; and three nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 23, 2004 at Graham Chapel on the campus of Washington University. A reception will immediately follow in Holmes Lounge, Ridgley Hall.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Washington University and earmarked for the Sara L. Johnson Scholarship. Contributions can be sent to the attention of Robert Gibson, Washington University, Campus Box 1210, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, Mo., 63130-4899. The scholarship fund will provide need-based financial assistance to students in the College of Arts & Sciences.