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Terry Johnston, a 48-year-old graduate from The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast, is the first student from the university to receive the James Madison fellowship which pays up to $24,000 for students to earn their master’s degree.
The national grant will support Johnston’s study of American history in graduate school while he works as a secondary school teacher. Johnston, who will move to Cleveland, Miss., in June, plans to use the grant while attending the local university. “I’m definitely looking forward to working on my master’s degree and to begin teaching – this is a new start in life,” said Johnston. “My ultimate goal is to teach college, but I’ll be teaching at high school for a few years first.” This new start in life comes after working as an iron fitter for Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. A resident of Ocean Springs for 12 years, Johnston decided to follow his dream of becoming a social studies teacher by first earning his bachelor’s degree from Southern Miss. With his stepchildren grown, Johnston and his wife wanted to enrich the lives of others and decided that a move to Cleveland was the solution. Johnston left his job as an iron fitter in 2007 to concentrate on studies aimed at earning a history degree and secondary school teaching licensure from Southern Miss Gulf Coast. He completed
his coursework at the university with a 3.97 grade point average. “Mr. Johnston is an example to anyone who wishes to begin a new chapter in life by attending The University of Southern Mississippi, regardless of age,” said Dr. Deanne Nuwer, one of Johnston’s history professors. “Both an excellent student and an inspiration to fellow students, he is a wonderful representative for the caliber of students attending Southern Miss.” In addition to the James Madison fellowship, Johnston received two awards at the conclusion of his academic career at Southern Miss Gulf Coast. Johnston was named the John Wallace Award recipient for being an exceptional history major, and he received the Most Outstanding Senior Award for the university’s College of Arts and Letters. Johnston’s outstanding work was not only observed by the university, but also by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Students who plan to become teachers are required to take the Praxis I and II tests in the subject they are studying. Johnston’s score was so high on the Praxis II test, a near-perfect 200, that ETS awarded him a special certificate recognizing him for a job well done. “I have always had a natural knack for history,” said Johnston. “I was always interested and studied it. I worked hard at the university by studying and writing research papers, but I can’t say enough nice things about the history department.” One piece of advice Johnston shared is to “never give up on your dreams no matter how old you are.” This statement rings true as Johnston is a prime example of someone who followed his dreams despite his age. After all of the hard work and determination, Johnston is now prepared with the knowledge and ability to achieve his goal of helping others while teaching a subject he has always loved.
Recent graduate Terry Johnston looks up at his family sitting in the audience during The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast commencement ceremony May 9. Johnston, a non-traditional student who earned his bachelor of arts in history degree, was such an exceptional student at Southern Miss Gulf Coast that he was awarded the John Wallace Award, Most Outstanding Senior Award for the College of Arts and Letters and the James Madison fellowship in American history. (Southern Miss Public Relations photo by Charmaine Schmermund)
About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities. In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world. Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu/gulfcoast .
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