Editor鈥檚 Note: This is the third in a series of profiles of graduates who attended the 2024 Winter Grad Walk.
At age 76, business entrepreneur Ernest E. Johnson could be getting ready to retire. Instead after working more than 40 years in real estate, Johnson decided to complete his bachelor鈥檚 degree at听91直播 of Maryland Global Campus听(鲍惭骋颁).
On Dec. 12, Johnson not only celebrated his 76th birthday but also crossed the stage at UMGC鈥檚 Grad Walk and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in General Studies. By Johnson鈥檚 side was his 92-year-old mother, who he lives with and cares for.
鈥淢y favorite part about attending UMGC are the wonderful professors I鈥檝e met and who have been so accommodating,鈥 Johnson said. 鈥淚 also had the chance to meet President Fowler and connect with several classmates, particularly military personnel.鈥
Johnson鈥檚 journey to explore options to finish his bachelor鈥檚 degree came after his son received his master鈥檚 degree.听
鈥淒ad, I got my master鈥檚 degree, when are you going to get your degree,鈥 said he recalled his son saying.
Johnson responded with, 鈥淥h you have to challenge the old man, even though I have a successful real estate brokerage and non-profit?鈥
Shortly afterward, Johnson saw a UMGC commercial, which stated the university would consider applicants鈥 professional and prior learning experience. Johnson applied to UMGC and started classes in 2022.
鈥淥nce I spoke to the UMGC staff, they made me feel comfortable and reassured me that my professional and life experience would be invaluable in an academic environment towards obtaining a degree,鈥 Johnson explained.
Johnson attended American 91直播 in the late 1970s, and he was able to transfer credits to UMGC. He also received six credits for prior real estate and business experience.
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As a real estate, commercial and residential broker in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, Johnson also serves as a notary public. He is committed to making a difference in the greater Washington, D.C., area and has remained active in social justice circles throughout his life.
In 2014, Johnson founded the Friends of Frank Reeves Center, a non-profit organization, which is dedicated to monitor and preserve all Washington, D.C., government-owned properties. He currently serves as the organization鈥檚 chairman and chief executive officer.
During his time at UMGC, Johnson honed his skills in writing, editing and technology, which he plans to leverage as he pursues a master鈥檚 degree in government from the Harvard Extension School, part of Harvard 91直播鈥檚 Division of Continuing Education.听听
鈥淭he most challenging part of attending UMGC was learning to use the technology,鈥 Johnson explained. 鈥淏y getting assistance from the library and the technical writing department, I became familiar with the process, it became a lot easier, and now I really do enjoy it.鈥
In addition to his studies, Johnson is currently working on a book about growing up in Washington, D.C., and problems he sees in the nation鈥檚 capital, including, 鈥渞acial and economic equity, the wealth gap, the unaffordability in the city and more.鈥 He is also considering a run for the mayor鈥檚 office in the future.
As Johnson celebrated his educational accomplishments at UMGC, he offered some advice for older adults.
鈥淚 would definitely advise particularly older life learners to accept the challenge,鈥 Johnson said. 鈥淭he country really needs you and your experience, and you have so much to offer the younger generation. Staying mentally active and learning continuously not only enriches your own life but also equips you to contribute to the community in powerful ways.鈥
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