Dr. Mark S. Johnson A ’69, BA ’73 Plans Bequest for STEM Endowment

Dr. Mark S. Johnson A ’69 B.A. ’73

Dr. Mark S. Johnson A ’69 BA ’73 grew up at North Park University, steeped in Covenant history and culture. In the 1870s his great-grandfather preached for “Mission Friends,” a precursor of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Mark’s father was a professor and the university’s director of guidance and testing.

A math major who became a university professor and researcher, Mark wanted to give back to North Park and help ensure its future. He has planned a bequest for an endowed fund to support North Park’s STEM programs.

“I think North Park is important and has a great legacy, and I want it to continue,” Mark explained. “An endowment means more stability for the school, and STEM is important to me. STEM often requires more funding than other academic areas because of the materials and hardware required.”

Mark earned a PhD from the University of Utah and became a researcher at Loma Linda University California in the Biochemistry and Microbiology departments, studying E. coli migration factors that drive it and many bacteria to host sites where they cause disease.

Mark chose a bequest for his planned giving because of its simplicity to set-up and the security of being able to use savings for any emergencies.

“I feel at ease knowing if I passed away, the remainder of my estate is going to a good cause,” Mark said. “If alumni have a soft spot in their hearts for North Park, whatever their academic or programming funding priorities are, they should consider a bequest.”