Released April 5, 2005

HATTIESBURG – David Johnson, a graduate student in The University of Southern Mississippi School of Social Work, has been named “Student of the Year” by the Mississippi chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

Johnson, of Kingsport, Tenn., was also named Graduate Student of the Year by the MS-NASW. He was nominated for the award by Beejee Dickson, his field supervisor at 1-2-1 Haven House, and Dr. Mike Forster, director of the Southern Miss School of Social Work. Johnson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Johnson of Kingsport, later became director of the Haven House program upon completion of his field placement.

“I am deeply honored to be chosen for this award,” Johnson said. “The confidence of an extraordinary field instructor, Beejee Dickson, and the combined mentorship of a superb faculty in the (Southern Miss) School of Social Work have been critical to any success I may have attained.”

Following graduation from Southern Miss, Johnson plans to enroll in the doctoral program at the University of Texas School of Social Work, where he was awarded a prestigious university fellowship and a three-year appointment as a teaching assistant.

“Mr. Johnson embodies many of the ideals of the social work profession,” said Forster. “He is intelligent, creative and passionate about improving the plight of society’s ill-treated. No student could be more deserving of this recognition.”

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