Piedmont Professor Receives Honorary Degree

From a Golden Gate University press release:

Golden Gate University (GGU), a 110-year-old non-profit university for working professionals, announced Tuesday that A.J. Johnson, a Piedmont native who spent 35 years as a professor and dean in GGU’s Accounting and Taxation Schools, will receive the Honorary Doctorate for Humane Letters on Saturday. The honorary degree will be delivered by President Dan Angel at the university’s graduate commencement ceremonies scheduled at San Francisco's Masonic Auditorium.

Johnson served as a GGU accounting professor for 25 years and concluded his final decade with the university as Dean of the Accounting School.

“During AJ’s tenure with GGU, he led our Accounting programs to a reputation of excellence,” says President Angel. “He also serves humanity in an exemplary form, often anonymously. He has tirelessly contributed time and support to many Bay area non-profit organizations whose missions are to help disadvantaged members of our society.”

The lead award nominator, Mary Canning, the dean of GGU Accounting and Taxation Schools, said, “A.J. was much more than an accounting instructor at GGU. He was your self-appointed academic adviser, career counselor and job placement agent. Because of his relationships and credibility with major Bay Area employers, including Big 8 accounting firms, GGU graduates had an unparalleled advantage when it came to finding a job.

"He made it his life mission to help each and every one of his students realize their potential. Whenever I think of GGU the first name that comes to mind is A.J. Johnson.”

An honorary degree is the highest award the Golden Gate University confers.