In Memory: Susan Whealler Johnston ’75

Susan Whealler Johnston ’75, the unassuming, compassionate consensus-builder who blazed a trail in higher education—including serving the past three years as chair of the Rollins College Board of Trustees—died August 12, six months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She was 69.

“Susan was an astute and experienced leader, admired for her clear thinking, her quiet courage, and her warm heart,” says President Grant Cornwell. “In a time that was extraordinarily difficult for her, she acted with her usual poise and attentiveness to her commitments. She was a role model for so many, including myself: grace, wisdom, professionalism, and humanity, fully embodied.”

An English major who graduated summa cum laude, Johnston became the first female president and CEO of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) in 2018. Previously, she had served 12 years as executive vice president and chief operating officer at the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB).

“Rollins was so fortunate to have a great alum and fellow trustee in those pivotable positions,” says Allan E. Keen ’70 ’71MBA ’10H, who preceded Johnston as chair. “With her steady hand and soft but impactful leadership skills, she guided Rollins through all of the pandemic period, providing the board and the president with good and professional advice that led us through these difficult times with remarkable results.”

Keen fondly remembers how Johnston would drive around her hometown of Berryville, Virginia, at the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in a “vintage, kind of beat-up purple pickup truck.” Gardening, needlepoint, baking, and walking with her beloved chocolate lab, Grace, in the State Arboretum of Virginia were her passions.

First elected to the board in 2009, Johnston held various leadership capacities at the College before becoming chair in May 2019. As chair of the Education Committee, she worked closely with Susan Singer, vice president for academic affairs and provost, starting every meeting with a reminder that the board’s charge was to ensure Rollins’ overall academic quality.

“Susan was always passionate about a liberal arts education that prepares students with our mission,” says Singer. “She was a role model of how to show up in the world with kindness and humility and brilliance. She always focused on what was best for Rollins and had such a graceful way of doing that. She was a phenomenal leader in an incredibly tough time.”

In addition to her service to Rollins, Johnston was on the board of visitors at Radford University, the board of trustees for the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education, and the advisory committee of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), among other appointments.

Early in her career, she was a professor of English and dean of academic development at Rockford University in Illinois and later served as associate dean at Regent’s College in London. She held a master’s and doctorate in English literature from Purdue.

Johnston was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph S. Johnston, who died of cancer in November 2020.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on September 17 at Christ Church in Millwood, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Johnston’s memory to the Valley Conservation Council in Staunton, Virginia.

NACUBO has created a tribute page for colleagues and loved ones to share their thoughts and condolences.