NCWC News: Vel H. Johnson Receives Highest Community Honor From North Carolina Wesleyan College

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October 21, 2004

Vel H. Johnson Receives Highest Community Honor

From North Carolina Wesleyan College

Rocky Mount, N.C.—North Carolina Wesleyan College awarded its highest honor for a member of the community, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, to Vel H. Johnson, a trustee of the college, during Wesleyan’s Founders’ Day on October 21 at the Dunn Center for the Performing Arts. In presenting the award, Thomas A. Betts, Jr., chairman of Wesleyan’s board of trustees, recognized Johnson for her "commitment, conviction, courage, and courtesy."

Johnson began her professional career as a regional representative for the Easter Seal Foundation, then became a social worker and later was executive director of the Nash-Rocky Mount Mental Health Association. In addition, she has been a volunteer with many area organizations, currently serving on Rocky Mount’s Historic Preservation Commission and directing Preservation Rocky Mount, Inc. She also is an active member of Lakeside Baptist Church.

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, established by the New York Southern Society in 1926, honors the qualities of the late Algernon Sydney Sullivan, a prominent New York City lawyer, scholar, and orator who was active in social and civic activities from 1857 until his death in 1888. Sullivan was known for his love for humanity, Christian ideals, courtesy, and participation in college and community affairs.

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