Faith Johnson, a fall 2025 magna cum laude graduate in business management and finance from Bartlett, is this semester’s recipient of the Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Award at the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Johnson pursued a double-major while working 15 to 20 hours a week to support her education. She had an internship in summer 2024 at the UT Federal Credit Union.
Outside the classroom, Johnson served as secretary for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., utilizing her organizational, communication and leadership skills. She was a member of the Student Alumni Council, National Society of Leadership and Success, Women of Excellence, Black Student Association, Financial Management Association and Flight Crew.
As a leader in the Student Alumni Council and Flight Crew, she played a role in major campus programming for the last three years, working to serve and support her fellow students.
Johnson completed several volunteer hours, including 40 hours at Caris Healthcare, 50 hours with Mid-South Food Bank and 30 hours with Quail Ridge Assisted Living and Memory Care.
In addition to her organizational leadership, Johnson demonstrated professional experience through her work at the Dungan Alumni Center, where she managed records, assisted guests and maintained data systems.
The Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Award is given to graduating seniors who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities at UT Martin. Named for former Chancellor Paul Meek and his wife, Martha, the honor consists of a cash award from an endowment set up by their children.
The award is presented at the graduation ceremonies in the fall and spring semesters that the recipient is participating in. The recipients in the previous school year were Bionica Barnes and Lauryn Davis, both of Memphis, in the fall 2024 commencement and Charlie Shipman of Memphis and Isabella Walker of Bartlett in the spring 2025 commencement.
Students are nominated for the award by the professional staff within the Division of Student Affairs.
The first recipients of the Meek Award were Barbara N. Johnson of Waverly and Carl G. Newby of Union City, both spring 1967 graduates.
PHOTO: Faith Johnson (right), a business management and finance graduate from Bartlett, was announced as the fall 2025 recipient of the UT Martin Paul and Martha Meek Leadership Award. Johnson is shown with Dr. Andy Lewter, vice chancellor for student affairs, who made the announcement at the commencement exercises Dec. 13. Students are nominated for the award by the professional staff within the Division of Student Affairs.
