Douglas Johnson, Executive Director of McLean County Arts Commission, to Deliver
Commencement Address on May 9
Normal, Ill. –Lincoln College-Normal (LC-N) is pleased to announce Douglas Johnson, Executive Director of the McLean County Arts Center, will deliver this year’s commencement address on Saturday, May 9, 6p.m, at the Center for Performing Arts in Normal.
Although 2009 marks LC-N’s 30th anniversary, this is only its 16th commencement ceremony. Previously, the college held a joint commencement ceremony with the Lincoln campus. The press is invited to attend. Almost 90 graduating students are eligible to walk during this year’s commencement ceremony.
Founded in the 1880s, the McLean County Arts Center is one of the oldest community arts organizations in the Midwest. It was incorporated in 1922 and has been located in a historic 1909 building in downtown Bloomington since 1979. An integral part of Central Illinois, they offer a wide variety of arts programming through exhibitions, classes, and workshops.
Mr. Johnson, a Bloomington-Normal native, graduated from Normal Community High School in 1983 and Illinois State University (ISU) in 1987. He earned a Masters degree in Studio Art from ISU. Mr. Johnson later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from Northern Illinois University in 1992, where he was awarded "Best of Show" in the Student Annual exhibition.
His work has been exhibited throughout the region including the Addington Gallery, the Peter Miller Gallery, Illinois Wesleyan University, and at the Chicago International Art Expo. His work has been featured in a number of publications including Better Homes and Gardens magazine and in the Chicago Tribune Sunday magazine.
“We are honored that Mr. Johnson will deliver this year’s commencement address. His passion for art, education, and this community, as well as his ability to inspire people through creativity is evident in everything he does. I believe that this passion will inspire our graduates as we mark this important occasion,” said Dr. A. Gigi Fansler, Vice President of Lincoln College – Normal.
Mr. Johnson has taught at Northern Illinois University, Judson College, Waubonsee College, Ray College of Design, and the Rockford Art Museum. He currently serves on the Program Committee for the Illinois Arts Alliance, the 2009 One State Conference Planning Committee for the Illinois Arts Alliance & Illinois Arts Council. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Bloomington Rotary Club, and is a past board member of the McLean County Dance Association and the Heartland Jazz Orchestra.
A reception for the graduates and their families will immediately follow the ceremony. More information, including directions to the commencement ceremony, is available on the LC- N Web site - http://www.lincolncollege.edu/normal/commencement/index.php
Lincoln College-Normal (LCN) is a small, student-oriented, four-year institution offering bachelor's and associate's degrees as well as certificate programs through small interactive classes and high-quality academic programs to a diverse community. Since many of our students work and raise families, LCN provides both full-time and part-time study options as well as day, evening, hybrid and online classes.
Updated 2/18/09