Scholarship named for Eastern student

Some students are happy with their name on their license plate. And, for some, having a star named after your significant other is the ultimate romantic gesture.But Jason Johnson has his name branded on a scholarship. And he hasn't even graduated college yet.

"It was really exciting to have a scholarship named after me," he said. The Kentucky Fairness Alliance, a group that advocates equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, named an annual scholarship after Johnson this summer.

Johnson was expelled from University of the Cumberlands last year for being gay. The alliance named the scholarship for Johnson because he handled the situation with poise, he said.

"It reaffirmed that me standing up for who I am brought a lot of things out," he said, "but it brought a lot of good in."

But Johnson is not the first in his family to have a scholarship named for him. When Johnson's mother went back to college to get her nursing degree, she started a scholarship for nursing majors who are struggling financially.

And, like his mother, Johnson's good deeds also resulted in his name on a scholarship. Another reason KFA christened their scholarship with Johnson's name was to honor his work for the equal rights movement.

Johnson works for the KFA and he does everything from issuing action alerts to stuffing mail, he said. And Johnson even traveled to the same university that kicked him out last April. On March 28, he went to the University of the Cumberlands with Soulforce, a group of college students who hold demonstrations for equal rights and antidiscrimination.

"It was intense," Johnson said. "There was an atmosphere of fear."

When Johnson and the group arrived, about 50 policemen met them at Cumberland's campus, he said.

"We were a little worried for our safety," he said.

Officials told the group it could not stand on the sidewalk and demonstrate, but it could walk the campus streets. And that is what Soulforce did, he said.

"It's not about going out there and doing rallies," Johnson said.

"It's about living your life and saying 'I'm not going to live for anybody else.'"

Johnson said he does not regret attending Cumberland, although the university expelled him for his sexual orientation.

"I learned so much there," he said. "The campus is great. The faculty is great, and the programs are good."

Johnson said he came to Eastern because he was impressed with its theatre program. And the size of the university is not too intimidating, he said.

"It was more of a middle ground that I was more comfortable with," he said.

Johnson's future plans include becoming a stage manager for a theatre production. But that's not his number one goal.

"I want to get through school," he said.

The Jason Johnson Scholarship is worth $2500 and it is offered yearly to students at a Kentucky college or university who have financial need. And recipients might be getting more money in the future.

The scholarship accepts donations, and if someone donates a significant amount, the scholarship will be jointly named for Johnson and the donor.

Students who demonstrate leadership and have good grades are encouraged to apply for the scholarship. The KFA is accepting applications.

Reach Jenna at jenna_mink6@eku.edu