The J-TAC

Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Features

Johnny Robinson [Click to enlarge]

Greek life, leadership and Duck Camp are all priorities for the man who works behind the desk plate that reads: Director of Student Leadership Programs. The university recently hired Johnny Robinson, a Tarleton alumnus, to take Tarleton into a positive new direction concerning those three areas.

A Tarleton diploma hangs on his wall while beside it a shelf holds books on varied topics from leadership to Greek life. On the wall that faces Robinson's desk are pictures from his trip to Europe over the summer. Behind the desk sits a man typing quickly on his keyboard, fulfilling yet another day's task.

Robinson is dressed to impress, wearing a long sleeve ocean blue button-up shirt, a classic yellow tie, khaki pants and a Tarleton class ring.

Robinson grew up in Stephenville, where he attended high school and completed his bachelor's degree in exercise and sports studies and his master's in educational administration at Tarleton. While in college, Robinson was involved in Duck Camp, was President of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and was a recipient of the John Tarleton Spirit Award, the highest honor a Tarleton student can receive.

After graduation, Robinson dabbled in multiple jobs ranging from a teacher/coach at Santo ISD, an assistant manager at Mervyn's Inc. and a senior residential coordinator at Tarleton before he found his true enthusiasm in the Office of Student Leadership, where he is today.

"I love working with students who have a passion. In this office I get to work with some of the best students on our campus and it's a great atmosphere to want to work. The people are fun and are always willing to lend a helping hand."

As Robinson described future plans for the three key programs, he emphasized that nothing has been significantly changed in the last three years. He mentioned that Duck Camp is a program that has been running for seven years. He said Student Leadership Programs just hired the new director and assistant director for the upcoming Duck Camp in 2009 and is moving in a positive direction to make the incoming camp for freshmen more beneficial and memorable.

Previously being involved in Greek life at TSU, Robinson said he believes Greek life will always be competitive between sororities and fraternities. In the big picture, he added, all the Greeks should come together and represent the family-like atmosphere that is mentioned when the Greeks begin the recruiting process.

"Passion" would be the one word that describes Robinson. He is passionate about making Greek life, student leadership and Duck Camp a better experience for future Tarleton students to come.

Robinson reminded students to discover pursuits that make them happy.

"While at Tarleton, find something you adore and put your whole heart into it, it is so beneficial to be a part of something bigger than yourself," he said. "There is a place for everyone here at TSU."

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