News Johnsons Make Named Gift For Pac - Garrett College
Apply Now
Plan a Visit
Request Info
Make a Gift

Campus News

March 29th, 2022

Johnsons make named gift for PAC

Gift intended to honor all GCPS students, past and present

Johnsons

Wayne and Barbara Johnson have provided a named gift for the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College that honors past and present Garrett County Public Schools students.

Garrett County Public Schools students comprise one of the key constituencies to be supported by the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College. Wayne and Barbara Johnson recently recognized that mission, providing a named gift honoring all past and present GCPS students.

"I'm so appreciative of both the gift and the thought behind it," said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College's president, of the Johnsons' gift to name the PAC's copy center. "Wayne and Barbara are highlighting a group that we hope will benefit greatly from the performing arts center for years to come."

The gift reflects the Johnson' roles in public school education.

"Wayne was a teacher and principal in the Garrett County school system for over 30 years," said Barbara Johnson, whose own career included service in the school safety section of the Montgomery County Police Department.

"The school system has been a big part of his life," added Barbara, who noted that naming their gift for past and present GCPS students was a way to honor Wayne's commitment to the county's students.

Karlyn Price, Wayne's niece and a retired school teacher herself, said Wayne – who turned 90 on New Year's Day – is always recognized out in the community.

"There's never a time when he's out in public that somebody doesn't remember him," said Price. "They all remember him – and he remembers their names, even after all these years."

Price said Wayne, a Navy veteran, has been a "true leader in the community." That service included state- and district-level offices in organizations like the Lions Club as well as serving on the Garrett Regional Medical Center Board of Directors and playing a leadership role in the founding of Hospice of Garrett County.

Barbara Johnson, a member of Southern Garrett High School's Class of 1955, returned to the county after retiring from the Montgomery County Police Department. She and Wayne married several years ago.

"I love Garrett County and I've seen it grow tremendously," observed Barbara.

Midcap said the PAC endowment – which is nearing its goal of raising $2.5 million to generate income for center operations – will play a key role in attracting high-quality performances for the enjoyment of Garrett County residents and visitors to the community.

"We intend to use the endowment to generate funds that will support programming," said Midcap. "This strategy will allow us to attract performers we might not otherwise be able to afford to bring to Garrett County."