Paul and Mildred Hardy Distinguished Professor of Science
Established in 1999 by the estate of Paul Erling Hardy’37, the purpose of this endowed chair is “to enhance the understanding and appreciation of science among St. Olaf students.” A Minnesota native, Paul Hardy retired in 1969 after a career as a research chemist and petroleum engineer at the Exxon Corporation. Deeply committed to his alma mater, Dr. Hardy felt that St. Olaf represented well the values he most appreciated of free inquiry, free expression, and moral sensitivity. Chemistry professor Wesley Pearson ’54 was the first holder of this chair; he used it to help create an annual Science Symposium where St. Olaf students display the results of their research.
Dr. Johnson’s teaching and research has focused on immunology, notably on bacterial resistance to disinfectants in the environment, on biodegradation of toxic wastes in the soil, and age-related immune responses to cancer. This work has led him to focus increasingly on developing St. Olaf’s concentration in biomedical studies, a plan of study that enhances students' preparation for careers in health care broadly defined (e.g., medicine, therapy, management, and ethics). In 1996-98, Johnson also served as Associate Dean of Students.
