As Sally Wood walked up to the front row of her Psychology of Education class, her embarrassed sorority sister tried to hide her face. Sally confidently stopped at the desk of the crush of campus – Jim Johnson.

“Hi. Will you take my friend to prom?” Sally asked matter-of-factly.

Jim turned, smiled, and said, “No. But I’ll take you.”

This was where it all began for BSC graduates Dr. Jim Johnson ’52 and Sally Wood Johnson ’53. Sally canceled the reservation she made with her date, attended prom with Jim, and they have been together since. As of June 2019, the couple has been married for 65 years.

Each year for nearly 50 years of their long marriage, the Johnsons have given to BSC. They also have included BSC in their estate plans.

“I think Birmingham-Southern is a wonderful resource for this community. It offers a substantial education and a thorough background for whatever you’re going to do next,” says Sally.

After graduation, Jim went on to attend the University of Alabama Medical School, serve in the Air Force for two years, and work as a pediatrician in Bluff Park. He would later open and practice at Vestavia Pediatrics, where he stayed for 50 years.

“Going to BSC helped a lot with getting into medical school – it really prepared you,” Jim says. “I got a good education. Or should I say that first I met Sally. The education comes second to that. We found each other, and we both got a good education.”

Their family has experienced the Hilltop through many roles, as students, parents, and volunteers. The Johnson’s children, Susan Johnson Lawrence ’79 and Mark Christopher Johnson ’81, both attended BSC.

When their son, Mark, passed away in March of 2005, the Johnsons started the Mark C. Johnson Scholarship Fund to honor his love for music and education.

In 2008, Sally was recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award for her service to the College and her community. With her degree in biology from BSC, she worked at Southern Research, a nonprofit scientific research organization in Birmingham. When her time working in biological research came to an end, they gifted her with art supplies.

“It just sort of happened,” Sally says. “They gave me a set of art supplies, and I started piddling around. I’ve had good luck with my art.”

Her art includes large scale paintings, with a textural collage style. She helped start the Bluff Park Art Show, an event held annually by the Bluff Park Art Association.

BSC has been a major part of the Johnson’s story, and they choose to give back to the College every year.

“It’s basic philosophy – doing good, giving back,” Sally says.

By making a recurring gift to BSC, Sally and Jim Johnson have made a difference in the lives of students across the decades – some who will soon be celebrating their 50th reunion.

To learn more about how to make any donation into a recurring gift, whether it be monthly, quarterly, or annually, contact Meredith Wolfe Alsabrook ’09, director of development – planned giving, at (205) 226-4977 or [email protected].