Dr. Joe Johnson, 19th president of the University of Tennessee (1991–99) and acting president 2003–4 came to the university in 1958 as instructor and research associate. He then served successively (1960–63) as senior budget analyst, director of the budget division, deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, and executive assistant to Governor Buford Ellington. He returned to UT as executive assistant to then-President Andrew D. Holt and vice president for institutional research in 1963. From 1970 to 1991, he served as vice president for development, adding duties as chancellor of UT Memphis and then executive vice president. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Birmingham Southern College (1955), he earned the MS and the EdD from UT (1955, 1968, respectively). He married the former Patricia Pinckley, who earned the BS and MS degrees from UT.
Joe Johnson’s easy humor, attention to all details, ability to find the good and praise it in every situation, strong commitment to UT, and intense management made him a popular choice to succeed Lamar Alexander. As president emeritus, he remained active in fundraising for UT and in advocacy for the institution. In 2014 the UT Board of Trustees bestowed upon him the Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest award the board confers.
Joe Johnson passed away on Sept. 29, 2023 at the age of 90.