Oxford recently unveiled a portrait of Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. 77Ox 79B, which has been installed in Johnson Hall on campus. The portrait, by Atlanta artist Rossin, is accompanied by a poem called “Among Us,” which was written in honor of Judge Johnson by Oxford faculty member Dr. Tameka Cage Conley. Judge Johnson was a graduate of Oxford College and Goizueta, a 30-year member of the Oxford Board of Counselors, and a beloved member of the Newton County community. Language Hall was renamed Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Hall in his honor on October 8, 2021.

Thank you for your support of the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Endowment. We are over 50% towards our $100,000 goal.  Even though our Momentum campaign has ended, please continue to share the below link with others for the opportunity to honor Judge Johnson and keep his legacy alive at Oxford.  

http://together.emory.edu/give/checkout?cc=1&aid=76234801&freq=once&appeal=2CJHJ 

Learn more about the artist and the dedication event.

https://www.rossinfineart.com/

https://www.oxford.emory.edu/resources/johnson-hall.html

Thank you for supporting the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship. We are approaching the halfway mark with our $100,000 fundraising goal for the scholarship.  As Emory’s August 31 fiscal yearend approaches, we hope you will consider asking your friends and family to join with you in supporting this important effort.  We look forward to sharing the amount raised on October 8 at 4:00 p.m. when Oxford College’s Language Hall will be renamed in memory of Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr.

Thanks to a generous lead donation from Oxford College alumnus Keith Burns 99Ox 01B that established the scholarship, and thanks to gifts from Judge Horace Johnson’s family, the first scholarship has already been awarded to an Oxford student for the 2021-2022 academic year.  Your gifts will allow larger scholarships to be awarded to Oxford students for generations to come, ensuring that Judge Horace Johnson’s legacy lives on.

We wish to remember the one-year anniversary death of Judge Horace Johnson today. In doing so, we have some news to share with you from Dean Doug Hicks. 

Dean Hicks just shared that the President supported, and the Board of Trustees approved, that Oxford’s Language Hall will be renamed in honor of Horace. A request that he made on behalf of Oxford College with supporting letters from Joe Moon, Oxford College Dean of Campus Life; Mary Anne Bobinski, Dean of Emory Law School; Karen Sedatole, Dean of Goizueta Business School; Enku Gelaye, Emory University Senior Vice President and Dean of Campus Life; and Carol Henderson, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion.  

Horace’s time at Oxford prepared him for a lifelong commitment to public service in a truly remarkable life and career. Among his many contributions to our community, he served on Oxford’s Board of Counselors for almost 30 years. And we had looked forward to having him speak at commencement last year before the event was canceled due to COVID.  

Horace managed to rise above the many obstacles African Americans faced growing up in the 1960s. He was a true trailblazer, and his list of “firsts” included being among the first Black students to integrate his local elementary school here in Newton County. After graduating from Oxford and earning a degree from Emory’s Business School, he went on to earn his Juris Doctor at the University of Georgia School of Law. He later became the first Black Superior Court Judge in the Alcovy Judicial Circuit, a position he was preparing to serve in for a fifth term when he died.  

Dean Hicks was honored to have lunch last week with Horace’s widow, Michelle, to share the news about Johnson Hall. She was clearly moved, and she reminded the dean again just how much Horace loved Oxford. His legacy of mentoring students, engaging the Board of Counselors, and serving the Newton community will be celebrated on Oxford’s quad. 

Oxford is planning a formal naming ceremony for Johnson Hall in October. The tentative date is October 8, 2021. 

Thank you for supporting the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship. Horace’s legacy reaches far within the Emory, Atlanta, and Georgia communities. Your gift to the scholarship fund helps ensure that this continues for generations to come.

Thank you for supporting the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship. Horace’s legacy reaches far within the Emory, Atlanta, and Georgia communities. Your gift to the scholarship fund helps ensure that this continues for generations to come. 

A few exciting things to share with you:

• During Emory Day of Giving on March 24, $11,145 was raised for the scholarship fund. There were 129 gifts made that day to support the scholarship. 
• UGA has created the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. Lecture on Race, Law and Policy. The lecture will take place virtually on April 28. If you’re interested in attending, please register here by April 26.

We are so appreciative of your support. Horace’s life touched so many as evident in these numerous community articles.

•  The Covington News - Oxford College establishes scholarship in Johnson’s honor. 

https://www.covnews.com/news/oxford-college-establishes-scholarship-in-johnsons-honor/ 

•  The Covington News - Newton judicial center formally renamed for late judge.

https://www.covnews.com/news/a-hall-of-hope-newton-judicial-center-formally-renamed-for-late-judge/ 

•  The Rockdale/Newton Citizen - Judge Johnson honored with renaming of Newton Judicial Center

https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/news/judge-johnson-honored-with-renaming-of-newton-judicial-center/article_baa5de22-6a15-11eb-be96-6f9e15a97cf8.html

•  A video tribute to Johnson and the ceremony of the naming of the Newton judicial center.