Dream realized

Even though he is actively involved with campus activities, Student Body President and third-year student Marcus Johnson did not consider applying for the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship until he was given the recommendation.

“I hadn’t actually intended to apply for the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship, but I got an email that I had been nominated for it by the coordinator of Veteran Support Services Lisa Rhoades,” Johnson said. 

After learning about the nomination, Johnson proceeded to go through the application process, which included filling out the appropriate paperwork and going through an interview. 

“I applied, submitted an essay and my resume and I got some recommendations, and I went through the interview process and they said ‘Come back next Friday and you’ll get a letter, and it’ll let you know whether or not you got it,’ ” Johnson said. “So I go, I get the letter, and I take it back to my office. I’m hesitantly opening it up, and it said I got it. The first thing I did was, I took a picture of the letter and I sent it to my mother.” 

Rhoades nominated Johnson for the scholarship because of the work he did with Veteran Support Services as the student body president.

“As Student Body President at Oakland University, part of my role is ensuring that the needs and perspectives of all student communities are represented within student government and in conversations with university leadership,” Johnson added. “This year, Student Congress also took a tangible step to support veterans by establishing a $500 donation to Veteran Support Services each semester through our programming funds. It’s the first time we’ve made a recurring financial commitment like this to this office, and it reflects our belief that supporting student veterans should be more than symbolic.” 

Johnson said he’s thankful to receive the award from the university. 

“Truthfully I’m honored.” Johnson said. “I’m honored to receive it. I’m honored to be recognized. It feels great to receive some sort of recognition (from the university) that we see the work that you’re doing, and you’re doing a good job (at it).” 

After receiving the announcement that he won the award, Johnson immediately told his parents, extended family, and close friends. In fact, some of these people were able to attend the Keeper of the Dream Celebration, which took place on January 19th (Martin Luther King Jr. Day). 

“My mom, my grandma, and my little cousin were able to make it, they came together,” Johnson said. “And then I learned that my dad, my aunt, and my grandpa were actually able to make it. I didn’t know my grandpa was coming until he was there.” 

Outside of receiving the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship, Johnson is actively involved with the Oakland University community through his involvement as a double major in political science and public policy, as well as being the student body president, a role that requires Johnson to be involved in several committees and matters related to the role. 

As a student within the College of Arts and Sciences, Johnson credits his coursework for helping him navigate the politics not only at the university level, but also within government systems as well. 

“I would say in some ways that almost every professor has (influenced me), but there have been a few who stuck out,” Johnson said. “I will throw some credit to Professor (Diane) Hartmus. I took her ‘Civil Rights and Liberties’ class and it gave me a much deeper understanding of how a lot of judicial systems work, especially from a legal aspect. Professor (Nicole) Mathew – I really liked her classes. I always appreciate how she approaches them. And Professor Julie Walters – she was great. I took ‘Women in Politics,’ with her and I took a public policy course last semester. I’ve always appreciated not only how she teaches her classes, but how passionate she is about what she teaches.” 

At Oakland, Johnson has been able to use the skills he has learned in his coursework and be able to use them when implementing Student Congress policies, something that he finds to be a major accomplishment during his college career. 

“Student government is ultimately about advocacy and representation, and that includes making sure groups with unique experiences, like student veterans, have a voice in the decisions that affect campus life,” Johnson said. “Veterans often come to campus after serving in environments that require leadership, discipline, and sacrifice, and universities have a responsibility to support that transition into academic life. Working with Veteran Support Services helps ensure that student veterans are not only supported but also heard within the broader campus community.”