FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Donald M. Johnson, professor of agricultural and extension education in the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, has been elected a Senior Fellow of the American Association for Agricultural Education.

The Senior Fellow designation is awarded to no more than three people a year and recognizes AAAE members who have made exceptional and sustained contributions to the profession with 20 or more years of active service at the university level.

Johnson, who joined the Arkansas faculty in 1993, holds several awards in recognition of his teaching, research and service activities.

"Dr. Johnson is certainly deserving of this high honor from his profession," said George Wardlow, head of the department of agricultural and extension education. "He has received numerous teaching awards at the college, university, regional and national levels, including recognitions from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, USDA and North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture. He is also one of the most prolific journal authors in his profession in the past 25 years. It is an honor to serve with him as a faculty member at the UA."

"I am grateful to my colleagues for nominating me for this award," Johnson said. "It is a tremendous honor to join professor emeritus Don Herring and professor Donna Graham as an AAAE Senior Fellow. I feel very fortunate to work with all of the outstanding faculty and staff in this department and with our wonderful students."

Johnson is nationally recognized for his expertise in teaching and learning in agricultural technology, having received 12 awards for outstanding teaching. He has co-authored two agricultural technology textbooks and has presented statewide workshops on teaching agricultural technology for teachers in nine states. He has received more than $1 million in grant support for the agricultural technology education teaching program, including $750,000 for construction of the 12,000-square-foot Abernathy Agriscience and Technology Education Laboratory. Johnson was also founding co-director of the Bumpers College Faculty Teaching Support Center.

Johnson's research specialties include evaluation of diesel engine performance and emissions with bio-based fuels. He also evaluates precision agriculture components and systems, develops physical models for teaching and learning technology and researches students' technology use. He has published 63 articles in a variety of refereed journals, including 25 in the Journal of Agricultural Education. He has received more than $800,000 in external support for research and development projects.

Johnson has served on several university committees, including positions as vice chair and chair of the Bumpers College Faculty Council. He is currently vice president and president-elect of the University of Arkansas Teaching Academy.