Landis Johnson Earns Mac Award at VSU

2016 May 12

Landis Johnson of Hinesville is the recipient of Valdosta State University's 2016 Sigma Alpha Chi Mac Award.

"I am truly honored and humbled by this prestigious opportunity to represent my parents, my professors, and my organizations by being selected to receive the Mac Award," he said. "Receiving this award encourages me to continue to work diligently in the continuous strive for excellence in scholarship as well as service to my community and to my organizations."

Sigma Alpha Chi is the oldest honor society at VSU. To be considered for the Mac Award, Johnson had to demonstrate academic superiority and an active participation in campus organizations. He was recognized during VSU's annual Academic Honors and Awards Dinner.

Johnson, 22, graduated magna cum laude from VSU on May 7 with a Bachelor of Arts in music education. A regular on the Dean's List, he held the principal euphonium chair in the VSU Wind Ensemble for three semesters and was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda: National Music Honor Society, Order of Omega, Golden Key International Honor Society, Sigma Alpha Chi, and Sigma Alpha Pi: The National Society of Leadership and Success. He performed with VSU's Blazin' Brigade marching band and Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble and played piano and organ at Macedonia First Baptist Church. He was a member of the Mu Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., where he served as financial secretary from 2014 to 2015 and parliamentarian/chaplain from 2015 to 2016; the Black Student League, where he served as parliamentarian from 2013 to 2014; and Kappa Kappa Psi, where he served as historian of the service and leadership recognition society for band students in 2013.

Johnson will spend the summer working as a resident assistant with the University of Michigan's Summer Discovery, a program that combines academics, athletics, and activities to give high school students a taste of college life. His dream is to work as a music educator in a middle school or high school, earn a master's degree, and eventually advance to a college or university level teaching position.

"I believe being a great music musician is an exciting and fulfilling accomplishment; however, teaching music encourages and ensures the continuation of the art for the future," he said. This is why I decided to teach - to be able to be a part of the continuation of the art of music."

Johnson has played euphonium, primarily, for seven years and trombone, secondarily, for five years. He also plays trumpet, which he learned two years ago. He is the son of Barbara Johnson and Donald Johnson.

About Valdosta State University:

Valdosta State University is a comprehensive university characterized by outstanding instruction, a wide range of student life opportunities, and a close connection to the community. Established in 1906, the institution's mission is to prepare students to meet global opportunities and challenges through excellence in teaching and learning; to expand the boundaries of current knowledge and explore the practical applications of that knowledge through excellence in scholarship and creative endeavors; and to promote the economic, cultural, and educational progress of the community and region through excellence in service outreach.

Valdosta State University seeks to accomplish this mission in a dynamic, student-centered learning environment marked by a respect for diverse abilities, backgrounds, and contributions by all members of the university community.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/welcome.php

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts/music/