Donald O. Johnson, who has been the campus mail carrier at the
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford for more than 25 years, has
been selected to receive the 2006 Chancellor’s Award for Staff
Excellence in Service to the Community.

The award was created to recognize staff members at the
University of Pittsburgh and its four regional campuses whose work
in the community surpasses the expectations of the organizations
they serve and whose commitment and effort have made a significant
impact on the community.

Johnson, who was nominated for the award by the Pitt-Bradford
Staff Association, has worked at the university since 1980. He will
receive a $2,500 cash prize at a special reception; will be
recognized at the University of Pittsburgh’s Honors Convocation on
Feb. 24 along with other outstanding faculty and staff members,
students and alumni; and will have his name inscribed on a plaque
to be displayed in the William Pitt Union in Pittsburgh.

According to University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark A.
Nordenberg, the selection committee chose Johnson for the award
because of his devotion to a number of community organizations,
including the McKean County Special Olympics, where he has
volunteered for more than 20 years, coaching track and field and
competing in swimming; the Bradford Area High School Owls Athletic
Boosters, where he volunteers at the concession stand, helps with
fundraisers and plans and prepares the annual awards banquet; and
the Salvation Army, where he has been a bell ringer at
Christmastime.

Additionally, Johnson is the manager of both the men’s baseball
and basketball teams at Pitt-Bradford, providing support and
assistance to the players and the coaches along with helping with
equipment, travel and other duties.

Johnson has also volunteered with Bradford First Night, was a
scorekeeper for Bradford Little League, served on the Reunion
Planning Committee for Bradford High School’s Class of 1969, is a
member of the Hill Memorial United Methodist Church, and volunteers
each August when the University of Pittsburgh conducts its band
camp on the Bradford campus.

“I suspect that no single person has made a greater impact as a
volunteer in our community than Donny Johnson,” said Dr. Livingston
Alexander, Pitt-Bradford president. “His willingness to give of
himself freely for the benefit of others is contagious. Qualities
and attributes of this kind need to be recognized and
rewarded.”

According to Dr. Richard E. McDowell, president emeritus,
interoffice mail at Pitt-Bradford has been known as “Donny-mail”
since Johnson first started delivering mail on campus. “His
friendly face and smile contribute to the positive spirit which
Pitt-Bradford enjoys.”

Patrick Ryan, county coordinator for the McKean County Special
Olympics, said, “Donald has been an invaluable part of the Special
Olympics program in McKean County. His enthusiasm and spirit are
infectious. He is a coach, ambassador, fundraiser, recruiter,
organizer and much more. He has truly made a difference in the
lives of our special athletes.”

Members of the Bradford Owls Football Booster Club recommended
Johnson for the award, saying, “He is willing to do any task from
the smallest to the largest. The organization has greatly benefited
from Donny’s time, effort and enthusiasm.”

This is only the second time a staff member at Pitt-Bradford has
been chosen to receive a chancellor’s award. In 2004, Rhett
Kennedy, associate dean of student affairs and director of
residential life and housing, received the Chancellor’s Award for
Staff Excellence in Service to the University.