Aurora University honors Bedias' Marlin Johnston during Homecoming Weekend

AURORA, IL (10/23/2012)(readMedia)-- Aurora University presented Marlin Johnston, AU '57, with the Distinguished Alumni Award during this year's Homecoming Weekend Centennial Alumni Dinner on October 5, 2012.

When Marlin Johnston began his studies at Aurora College in the fall of 1953, he worked as a Retail Meat Cutter and was married with two children. Typical of nontraditional students then and now, he continued to work long hours while earning his degree. At Aurora College, Johnston received the academic training he needed for his life's work and embraced the values of citizenship, service and integrity that remain part of AU's mission today.

Upon graduation in 1957 with a degree in sociology and English and the Gold Ivy Leaf distinction, he returned to Texas, where he had graduated from high school. He worked with the Texas State Department of Public Welfare in various capacities throughout the years. In 1980, Johnston became the Commissioner of the Texas Department of Human Services, an agency that implemented Texas's human welfare programs. In this capacity he oversaw 30,000 employees and all social services, including Medicaid. He retired from that role in 1988 and was recognized for having worked 25 years without a single day of sick leave.

Even after retirement, Johnston continued to be an advocate for public service. He served as a Management Consultant to the Texas Department of Health and Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. He was an elder in his local church, served as President of the Board of Trustees of a local organization and President of the Board of Trustees of Texas Public Employees Association. He also has been a Director of U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. since 1992.

Marlin Johnston embodies the AU core value of continuous learning. He is actively involved in traveling with the Roads Scholars, a division of Elder Hostel. He digs on his land in Utah for Native American artifacts and maintains an extensive collection of rocks and Native American bowls. This year, while in Aurora for Homecoming, he spent time talking to current AU students about his work.

Johnston and his deceased wife Naomi demonstrated their dedication to the ideals of service in their own family. They raised three children, Landy and Marna, whose careers are in social work, and David, who owns a hobby store. Today Johnston remains very involved with their children and grandchildren. He has established an endowed scholarship for nursing and social work students to honor his late wife's commitment to health and welfare.

For his commitment to the public health and welfare of the people of Texas and a life inspired by his faith which was nurtured through his college years, AU was proud to award Marlin the Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2012.