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ARTS
HALL of FAME
If you would like to make a nomination for 2023, please contact Caitlin Zoghby at czoghby@ums-wright.org. James Randall “Randy” Johnson, UMS-Wright Class of 1994, is an outstanding example of a well-rounded student. From extra-curricular clubs, sports and arts, there were very few activities that he was not involved in around campus. He was on the Honor Council, Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and President of the Student Government Association. Randy contributed immensely to the Fine Arts Department as a member of the Theatre Guild. He was in numerous plays including Imaginary Invalid, The Sound of Music, Meet Me in St. Louis and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. For his skill and dedication, he received the Thespian Award, chosen by the Fine Arts Department faculty, his sophomore year. He also won the Outstanding Actor Comedy Award, and competed in Trumbauer. As a member of the cross-country, track and basketball teams, Randy also contributed to the Athletics Department. His senior year, he won the James T. Overbey MVP Track Award as well as the Buff Cope MVP Award. He was also the Senior Cross-Country Captain, All County, All State and the UMS-Wright Runner of the Year in 1994. He was awarded the James W. Rainer Award, which is awarded to the senior varsity male athlete who has lettered in at least two sports for three years and possesses the highest academic average of students who qualify for the award. Randy’s spirit of the school, achievements and contributions have made him one of UMS-Wright’s most memorable students. After graduating as Salutatorian, Cum Laude and as a National Merit Commended Scholar from UMSWright, Randy continued his education at Furman University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1998 with a B.A. in Communications and in Political Science. He was a member of the Furman Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) where he received the George C. Marshall Award, Outstanding Army Cadet of the Year and was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate. A member of the United States Army, he graduated in August 1999 from the United States Army Ranger School, obtaining his ranger tab. He had a total of ten assignments located all around the world including Fort Riley in Kansas, Korea, Fort Knox in Kentucky, Thailand, Afghanistan, Hawaii and Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. The number of awards he received while in the United States Army are numerous and influential. While these do not even scratch the surface of all that he accomplished, a few include, the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and two Korea Defense Service Medals. He attended the Defense Language Institute in California and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Thai in 2008, and graduated in 2009 as a Top International Student from the Royal Thai Army, Command and General Staff College in Thailand. He then continued to Georgetown University where he graduated with honors and received a M.A. in Security Studies, Summa Cum Laude with a certificate in Asian Studies in 2011, as well graduating with a certificate in Business Administration in 2021. Today, Randy works as Managing Partner at Defense Bridge Asia, LLC and as a Partner at Business Bridge Asia, LLC. He and his wife, Michael, live in Madison, Alabama with their son and daughter.
