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It’s not uncommon for Central alumni to say that their university experience changed their lives. Whether it’s a great job, lifelong friend, or personal growth, their reasons are many and varied.
Rene Karas-Johnson ’96 and her husband Rick Johnson ’93, ’00 can claim all of the above and then some. Not only did the couple earn degrees at Central, they also found jobs and, subsequently, each other at the university. Between the two of them, they have given Central more than 60 years of service—Rene as a facilities operations coordinator and Rick as a systems administrator.
As first-generation college students, Rene and Rick are keenly aware of the challenges many Central students encounter. They make it a point to support students at campus events such as commencement, and when the covid-19 pandemic struck, the couple took on extra duties as part of the university’s pivot to online learning.
What they observed and heard from students during those tumultuous days prompted them to do even more for the place that had done so much for them. The result? The Rene E. Karas-Johnson and Frederick M. Johnson, Jr. Family Endowed Scholarship.
The fund will be administered by the CCSU Foundation and provide scholarships to undergraduate Construction Management or Management Information Systems (MIS) majors with demonstrated financial need. Rick holds a bachelor’s degree in MIS from Central.
Beyond rampant uncertainty and quarantine requirements, Central students had to navigate a new academic normal in which support and academic services existed purely online and the campus community went all virtual. For many, the isolation from typical campus life created an additional strain.
Rene explains, “Part of my initial covid duties was to monitor the email helpline, and from reading the emails, I recognized that for many students, Central is their core. They rely on Central to be a safe space to study—many didn’t have an ideal space at home for schoolwork—with access to meals and the internet.
“Central is home to them. That hit me,” she adds. “I would be in tears reading some of these emails.”
Coupled with the stark change in the social landscape, many students lacked the technological tools to make the full pivot online.
“I volunteered at the beginning of COVID at the tech trailer, lending equipment to help students at home,” Rick says. “It was heartbreaking to see how many people were trying to do their homework from their phone because they didn’t have a computer.”
The tech trailer’s resources diminished rapidly.
“It really hammered home for me how many people were, in fact, lacking necessary technological tools,” Rick adds. “We’ve got so many first-time students from various backgrounds who don’t always know what’s needed for higher ed success.”
The Johnsons say they never thought they would be able to fund a scholarship, but they got some early encouragement from Central colleague Dr. John Tully and his wife, Nancy, who have founded the John and Nancy Tully Endowed History Scholarship. In working with the Foundation, the duo discovered a much easier process than they anticipated and found themselves in good company. More than 75 alumni, as well as current and former faculty and staff have established scholarships for Central students.
Now the couple hopes that will translate to much-needed aid for students and encourage others to pay it forward.
They explain their generosity simply.
“Central has given a lot to us, so we thought how can we give back?” says Karas-Johnson.