Note of Sadness

Susan Whealler Johnston, Ph.D., passed away Friday, Aug. 12. She served on the Radford University Board of Visitors for eight years, beginning in 2014.

Johnston chaired the search committee that found Radford’s eighth president, Bret S. Danilowicz, Ph.D., and she was featured in the most recent issue of The Magazine of Radford University..  

“At Radford, we educate students for the future. We build programs to address future local, state and regional needs,” Johnston said when interviewed for the magazine. “To me, it’s exciting to build links and opportunities between what we know and believe now to a future that we can’t yet see or know. It’s just around the corner, but if we can get that link right, we can build a very powerful engine – the university – for financial growth, social growth, intellectual growth of individuals and regions.”  

As president and CEO of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), Johnston extended that philosophy into the training, guidance, tools and collaboration provided by the organization. NACUBO’s members include nearly 2,000 colleges and universities and approximately 40,000 individuals working within higher education’s business and finance offices.  

“My focus has always been keeping students at the core,” she said.   

Our heartfelt condolences go to Johnston’s family and friends. She was a shining star in the universe of higher education, and we will miss her.  

Arrangements are pending at Enders and Shirley Funeral Homes and Crematory.