Rebecca Johnson of Alleghany County has been appointed to the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Educational Foundation Board, it was announced recently by Executive Director Rachael Thompson. Johnson began her three-year term on the Foundation Board on January 1.
“We are thrilled to have Rebecca join our team; her service to the community and long-time support of DSLCC and the DSLCC Educational Foundation as an alumna, friend, donor, and advocate are impressive,” said Thompson.
Johnson was in the first group of students to attend DSLCC during high school. She went on to graduate from Radford University with a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She joined the EPA in Washington, DC, as a contract analyst after college and worked as a paralegal in Waynesboro and Covington from 1990 until 1993.
Johnson joined Westvaco on a temporary assignment in Public Affairs in 1993, and accepted a permanent position in the Wood department in 1995 as a Woodbuyer and fill-in woodyard manager. She began classes at DSLCC at this time and received her Pulp and Paper certificate in 1995 and her A.A.S. degree in Pulp and Paper Technology in 1997. She accepted a position in Public Affairs / Human Resources in 1998 as a training and communications coordinator and was promoted to communication manager in 2006, a position she currently holds with WestRock.
Johnson is a past president and member of the Alleghany Highlands Jaycees; a past board member of the Salvation Army; past president and member of the Boiling Springs Ruritan Club; past board member and current volunteer of the Alleghany Humane Society; a member of the DSLCC Business Advisory Board; and a member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee. She is also an active member of the WestRock Women’s Network.
“Rebecca brings a wealth of experience as Communications Manager at WestRock, as well as a passion for DSLCC that is well-known throughout the community,” said Foundation Board Chairman Michelle Crook. “The board welcomes her and looks forward to having her on our team to promote and advance the Foundation’s mission.”
DSLCC President Dr. John Rainone noted: “Rebecca has been an avid supporter and partner of DSLCC and the Foundation both in her role as WestRock Communications Manager and as a community member.” He continued, “We are delighted to welcome her in an official capacity to our DSLCC community and could not be more proud of her accomplishments as a DSLCC alumna.”
The non-profit DSLCC Educational Foundation exists solely to support and promote Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. The Educational Foundation’s primary focus is to keep education affordable through the awarding of student scholarships and to provide students the support they need to achieve their goals. The Foundation also supports the college through the purchase of enhanced technology and classroom equipment and assists in funding innovative programming.
The Foundation awarded nearly $300,000 in scholarships to 125 students for the current academic year and anticipates similar awards for the upcoming academic year. To obtain more information regarding the Foundation and scholarship opportunities, or to make a donation, please contact Foundation Director Rachael Thompson, at (540) 863-2837 or via email at rthompson@dslcc.edu.