Ervin Johnson Wins 2000 Great Schools Hero Award

Ervin Johnson, "the ultimate American success story," understands what it's like to struggle. He lived in unheated apartments, ate dry oatmeal and drank buttermilk to work his way through the University of Wisconsin in the 1930s.

He never forgot the lessons of life he learned in his youth throughout the following years, as he went to law school and then established a successful practice in southwestern Wisconsin.

Good fortunes followed, and again Johnson remembered the struggles of his youth and the promise of a good education. Now he reaches out to young people who need help, providing scholarships to hard-working students who need an extra boost.

For his efforts, Johnson, of Darlington, was honored this fall as recipient of WEAC's first Great Schools Hero Award.

"Ervin Johnson has been a one-man scholarship machine over the last 20 years, sponsoring scholarships for students who otherwise might not have the chance to go to college," WEAC President Terry Craney said in presenting Johnson the award at the WEAC Convention's Awards and Recognition Banquet.

More than 500 southwestern Wisconsin students have been assisted with their dreams of college since 1979, thanks to Johnson's generosity.

He has awarded more than $350,000 to needy students in La Fayette County. He also has donated $1 million to the new Darlington Public Library, $1 million to the Luther College Music Department, and made many other donations to the Lead Region Historic Trust, the Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the Salvation Army, and other organizations.

Earlier this year, the Southwest Education Association named Johnson its Friend of Education.

"Mr. Johnson is living the Great Schools philosophy," Craney said. "He is reaching out, getting involved in and supporting public schools. Southwest Wisconsin and the entire state owe him a debt of gratitude for his dedication to education."

Great educators, friends honored

The WEAC Awards and Recognition Banquet honored many educators, staff and supporters of education. WEAC awards that were presented were:

• The Great Schools Hero Award: Ervin Johnson, of Darlington.
• Friend of Education: Professor Alex Molnar, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (see sidebar).
• Educational Support Personnel Award: Teri Hanson, Phillips. Hanson, who has been a prominent leader in the battle against school district revenue controls, was one of the key organizers of the "Walks on the Child's Side," which were held in the summers of 1999 and 2000. They included marches from Butternut Lake to Madison each year and a walk from Racine to Madison last summer. Randy Kunsch, a Phillips teacher who was among those nominating Hanson, said she is an outstanding teacher's aide and union leader who has served as both president and negotiator of her local ESP association. Carol Nelson, executive director of Northern Tier UniServ-East, said Hanson "has been a role model to me on how to stand up and advocate for what you truly believe in."
• School Bell Awards: Kelley Bruss, education reporter, Green Bay Press-Gazette; Sue Mroz, feature reporter, The Plymouth Review; Dan Truttschel, associate editor, Lake Geneva Regional News; Richelle Ridgeway, education reporter, WGBA-TV, Green Bay; Jeff McAndrew, news director, KFIZ Radio, Fond du Lac; Kathi Polzin, advisor, Greendale Pioneer Outlook, Second Sight, Greendale High School.
• Outreach Award: Green Bay Education Association (for outstanding association public relations activities).
• Richard J. Lewandowski Award for Humanitarian Activities: Bob Peterson, Milwaukee.
• Cunningham, Dickinson, Watson Commemorative Staff Award: Jim Begalke, UniServ director, West Central Education Association; and Janet Schultz Schneider, who was a staff assistant at Winnebagoland Educational Staff Council for nearly 20 years. Janet died last January.

Banquet recognitions

In addition to the presentation of new awards, the WEAC Awards and Recognition Banquet recognizes people who have received major education awards at other recent events. They are:

• Wisconsin Teachers of the Year: High School - Thomas Klubertanz, Wauwatosa West; Middle/Junior High - Ted J. Eischeid, Fond du Lac; Elementary - Sally Kelly, Weyauwega-Fremont; Special Services - Joni M. Peterson, North Crawford.
• Christa McAuliffe Award: Teri Dary, Beaver Dam.
• Presidential Award winners in Science and Mathematics: Science - Jessie Good, Kohler School District; Susan Inkman, Parkview Elementary School, Cedarburg. Math - Suzanne Folberg, Cherokee Heights Middle School, Madison; Dana Kasbaum, Eastside Elementary School, Sun Prairie.
• Student WEA Recognition Awards: NEA Student Program Outstanding Local Newsletter: University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point; 2000 NEA Program Outstanding Local Excellence: University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point; 2000 NEA Outstanding Class Promotion: Student WEA.

View, share, order Awards Banquet photos

Posted November 27, 2000