After 30 years on campus, The President of Providence University College says he has just one year left.

David Johnson has steered the school through the pipeline explosion of 2014, the Bergen Hall Fire of 2017 and, most recently, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Johnson also served long enough to enjoy the fruits of the IMPACT 2020 fundraising campaign which afforded the school new science, psychology, and business facilities.

Despite his story trove of hardships and successes, Johnson says his time with students is what he will remember.

“I have lots of memories of students in particular,” he notes, “and the most delightful thing in my life is seeing students go out and make an impact in the world as Christians.”

Though the present may seem discouraging, with students finishing the semester from home and graduation postponed, Johnson says he is nothing but optimistic about what is in store for his school.

“In everything that we’ve done, all of the changes, all of the crises, whether its an explosion or a pandemic, we have staff doing a marvellous job at managing the institution. I’m looking forward to seeing what God is going to do with Providence in the future.”

In order to give the school board time to find his replacement, Johnson says the official date of his retirement will be June 30, 2021.