Biography
Described as a "real Renaissance Man," Lonnell Johnson represents a unique collage of experiences as a poet and speaker. He has worked as a pharmacist, information analyst, editor, administrator, director of public relations, and professor.
With a B.S. degree in Pharmacy from Purdue University, Johnson was drafted into the Army in 1967 and served as pharmacy instructor at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. This experience introduced him to the joys of classroom teaching, eventually leading to a Master’s in English from Emporia State University and ultimately a Ph.D. in English from Indiana University. For more than 35 years he taught college English in Kansas, Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio. As a writer he has published articles on various subjects, such as biblical research and African-American literature.
In 2005 he retired as Professor of English at Otterbein College in Westerville, OH and established Ambassador Press where he published books by eight authors, including his collection of poetry Stone upon Stone: Psalms of Remembrance as well as the personal narrative Watch, Fight and Pray: My Personal Three-fold Strategy to Combat Prostate Cancer. In addition to teaching at National College, he facilitates courses at the University of Phoenix, Columbus Campus and Indiana Wesleyan University—Columbus, Ohio. As Christian Spirituality Examiner for Examiner.com, an Internet publication, Dr. Johnson continues to explore ways to enhance his communication skills in writing and speaking.
Industry Expertise (3)
Writing and Editing
Education/Learning
Health and Wellness
Areas of Expertise (3)
Cancer Survivor
Black History
1st Time Book Publishing
Affiliations (1)
- Indiana Wesleyan University--Columbus, Ohio, National College--Columbus, Ohio, University of Phoenix--Columbus, Ohio
Links (7)
Event Appearances (3)
From the Soul of a Man: Influences of Black Poets on My Works
Black History Celebration University of Phoenix--Columbus, Ohio
2010-02-24
My Soul Looks back, All the Way Back and Wonders
Black History Celebration National College--Columbus, Ohio
2011-02-16
Just what is the Blues? A Transatlantic Connection
Ethnic Studies Conference Shippensburg University--Shippensburg, PA
2005-03-23
Sample Talks (6)
“My Soul Looks back, All the Way Back and Wonders. . .”
Multi-media presentation pays tribute to Jupiter Hammon, the first African American to publish a poem in colonial America, on the Tri-Centennial of His Birth.
Just what is the Blues? A Transatlantic Connection
Multimedia presentation celebrates the blues as a literary and musical expression and traces origin back to West Africa, featuring original poetry and commentary.
Just what is the Blues? A Transatlantic Connection
Multimedia presentation celebrates the blues as a literary and musical expression and traces origin back to West Africa, featuring original poetry and commentary.
The Coach Approach: A Model for Successful Teaching
Multimedia presentation offers strategies that have proven useful in teaching written and oral communication along with original poetry in celebration of "The Teacher's Task."
From the Soul of a Man: Influences of Black Poets on My Works
Reading/Discussion of selected poetry from Stone upon Stone: Psalms of Remembrance and other works, along with a sampling of African-American poets who have impacted his writing.
Watch, Fight & Pray: A Holistic Approach to Cancer
Personal three-fold strategy in response to prostate cancer diagnosis 12 years ago.
Availability
- Author Appearance
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