8 minute read
President Arvid C. Johnson
PRESIDENT #9: Arvid
Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D. became the ninth president of the University of St. Francis in 2013. Arvid, who strongly prefers for people to call him by his first name, came to USF with a rich background in not only academia, but also corporate leadership. Arvid holds four degrees in areas including physics, engineering and business. His early career gave him over 15 years of engineering, manufacturing, senior management and consulting experience in a variety of business environments, and he holds 14 U.S. numerous foreign patents.
In 2001, Arvid left the for-profit world to serve first as a professor of management, then as dean of the Brennan School of Business at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. In his time at Dominican, Arvid became increasingly passionate about the concept of servant leadership. Servant leadership is a philosophy—an approach—to leadership in which one aspires to serve others, and based upon that service, is then called by them to lead. It has guided many of Arvid's actions and decisions throughout his career.
After 12 years at Dominican, Arvid realized he enjoyed academic administration. The concept of becoming a university president became appealing to him and he was intrigued when a friend who was on the board of trustees at the University of St. Francis told him about USF’s open presidency, adding about the university, “It’s got a lot of potential—it’s an undiscovered gem.”
Recalled Arvid, “I still remember that when I pulled up the job description, the word ‘service’ was used dozens of times… I counted them! The concept of servant leadership was there, so I decided to apply.”
He knew immediately after the interview that the University of St. Francis was the right fit, and obviously, the university felt the same. He was hired, and his inauguration took place in October of 2013.
Since then, Arvid has helped the university to grow, thrive and succeed.
“I feel I’ve really helped us discuss and decide who we are and where we want to go as a university. I always say that I am USF’s storyteller-inchief, and I think we’ve gotten better about telling our story and about being what we want to be. We are a Catholic, Franciscan institution, and I feel we have deepened our commitment to that. In today’s environment, that matters more to people. People are looking for an institution that resonates with their values, and at USF, we truly live our values.”
EXPANSION & STABILITY
New academic programs and accreditations have been added to the university’s portfolio during Arvid's presidency, and he's also proud of the facilities improvements made under his watch, though he is fast to say that USF isn’t about its brick and mortar.
“People sometimes ask if I’m proud of the new buildings or new spaces on campus, but those are physical things. Universities do need physical facilities to deliver on their mission, but it’s about the people that are inside the buildings,” he says. “I love the new science hall, but I love it more when I get to see science happening inside.”
Many deferred maintenance projects were quickly completed when Arvid arrived. Tower Hall and other spaces were upgraded with new paint and flooring and some previously closed-off wings of the Motherhouse were renovated and opened for use. USF’s one campus soon became three with the addition of the St. Bonaventure Campus in downtown Joliet, followed by St. Clare Campus just northwest of campus, which included a $9M renovation of Guardian Angel Hall to create a state-ofthe-art learning space for Leach College of Nursing students. The LaVerne & Dorothy Brown Science Hall was also completed on the Main Campus in 2018. All in all, USF’s facilities and assets have increased by 80% during Arvid’s presidency.
Another thing that’s happened under Arvid’s watch is the strengthening of the university’s fiscal position through more discipline and rigor in USF’s budget and planning processes.
“I’m proud to say that we’re in better shape than ever before. Fundraising is up significantly—we've seen a 50% increase in annual funds received. We’re in a great financial position, but that only matters when we are successfully carrying out our mission,” he said.
Arvid is now also able to put “leading a university through a global pandemic” on his resume after COVID-19 emerged this past spring. The most challenging part of the ordeal, according to Arvid, was the forced distancing that was required in order to slow the spread of the virus.
“It’s tough to be a warm and welcoming community of learners when we have to observe physical distancing. Having said that, I’ve been inspired by the way the community has come together to overcome the obstacles,” he said, giving a nod to the dozens of faculty and staff members who came together in working groups over the summer to figure out how the university would respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and to make sure the campus was as well-positioned as possible for a return to operations. “I am more proud of that than any building that we’ve put up on campus, or anything else I’ve done. The fact that we have a culture in which everyone can adapt and roll up their sleeves to do what needs to be done…that’s impressive."
YET TO COME
Arvid has been at the university for seven years, and his contract extends until 2027.
“My intent is to continue to serve here until I’m in the way,” he says.
As USF enters its second century, Arvid has challenged university leaders to identify and explore three key initiatives that could shape the university’s future: 1) Growing the Joliet campus. Options like establishing a privately developed residence hall for students in downtown Joliet, or erecting a new building to house the College of Business & Health Administration has been discussed as well as building a field house. 2) Strengthening online and international programs. As a pioneer in online learning, USF was well-positioned to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the changeover to online learning and will continue to grow and expand its online programming to make learning convenient for degree seekers. 3) New partnerships. USF currently offers degree programs in the Czech
Republic and is starting programs in Vietnam and China. USF also has local academic partnerships with several community colleges, where students can more quickly, easily and affordably earn a degree from USF while completing some coursework at their community college.
That said, Arvid also feels the university's partnership with the Joliet region is extremely important. "We are Joliet’s only four-year university, and we want to be more tightly interlocked with our community," he said, noting USF’s new Will County Access Initiative scholarship, which provides qualified Will County resident students with a no-cost USF education, and the Joliet Agency Leadership Scholarship, which was recently established for leaders of local not-for-profits or non-governmental organizations who want an MBA.
TELLING OUR STORY
Arvid’s goal as storyteller-in-chief is to keep telling USF’s story to the world. He initiated the publishing of the Engaging Mind & Spirit magazine in 2013 to connect more regularly with alumni, donors and friends, and has been communicating more frequently with the community and peer educational institutions. He’s talking about USF nationally through his board work—he currently serves the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (his second year chairing its Council of Presidents), the Council of Independent Colleges (presently vice president of investments), and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (presently secretary/ treasurer).
He’s also talking, always, with our students.
“Our students motivate me each and every day. I try to spend as much time with them in a non-interfering way as I can. Our students are the reason we do what we do. In a past magazine we were challenged to say what we love about USF in 10 words. My words were, ‘Because I work for and with people about whom I care.’ In a formal way, I try to show I care by attending athletic events, performances and honor society inductions. I visit with the SGA [Student Government Association] E-board and other groups regularly, and I often lecture in the Ed.D. program on leadership— servant leadership in particular. Overall, I just try to be there for students. Sometimes that’s nothing more than a ‘Hey, how are you doing?’ or a ‘Have a great day!’ Remember, being the president is not the same thing as the presidency. The presidency is going to survive me. It was here before I got here, and will be here after I’m gone. I’m just Arvid…here to serve the university in this role for as long as I’m not in the way.”
Off the Cuff
Arvid, who helped you along the way?
"I was called here in part due to the work of Sr. Noel Dreska, OSF, who was not only a former professor, but also a close friend to my family… a quasi-aunt to my boys and a wonderful friend to my wife, Anne. As a new college president, you also rely on a network of presidents to help you. I’ve known Br. James Gaffney [former Lewis University president] for over 30 years and Donna Carroll from Dominican University for nearly 19 years. Both were always a phone call away as I was questioning things early in my presidency. After transitioning with Michael Vinciguerra, I could also draw upon the guidance of former USF presidents Jim Doppke and Jack Orr—who also still live in the area and continue to support the university. I clearly also rely on my team at USF."
What’s your favorite place to contemplate on campus?
"If it’s rainy or blustery outside, it’s Santa Sala Chiara, which is the private meeting room adjacent to my office. If I really need a quiet space for contemplation, I go to the small chapel behind the altar of the St. Joseph Chapel and think about the San Damiano Cross—it keeps me grounded. When I need a pick-me-up, I go to the Terrace Café to see our students."
Guiding words?
“Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Brown or gold?
