René Johnson
Director of Vocation and Servant Leadership; Assistant Professor, Religion and Philosophy
Office
Seaton Center for Vocation and Career, Nikander 15
Contact
rene.johnson@finlandia.edu
906-487-7558
Joined Finlandia
2005
Education
PhD, Graduate Theological Foundation/Oxford Research Program
MA, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
BA-biology, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN
Hours
10:00-12:00 M-F
Current Courses
REL 200 - Introduction to Biblical Literature
REL 205 - Spiritual Formation
REL 215 - Women & Religion
REL 230 - Servant Leadership
REL 236 - Servant Leadership in Tanzania
REL 250 - Jesus Christ Movie Star
UNS 115 - Sisu Seminar
UNS 116 - Vocational Exploration
UNS 250 - Vocational Mentorship
WEL 110 - Beginning Yoga
WEL 160 - Indoor Rowing
Biography
Born in Alexandria, MN to Jim & Phyllis Norton into a family of five girls (René is the middle), René learned to work hard and love the outdoors from an early age. Her interests in exploring the wider world began in high school and resulted in12 years spent living and working in East Africa. Kenya and Ethiopia offered René and husband, Philip, the gift of raising their sons, Simon and Neal, in an environment that nurtured curiosity and a healthy sense of humility. The Copper Country was a good landing place to manage a return to life in the States in 2005 and brought René right back to her roots of hard work and a love for the outdoors.
Areas of Interest / Speciality
René Johnson's teaching and research interests concentrate on the intersections of vocation, Servant Leadership, and spiritual formation. Since arriving at Finlandia in 2005 she has established a Servant Leadership presence at Finlandia through a spring Servant Leadership course, a three-week Servant Leadership in Tanzania study-away experience that brought 87 students and 11 faculty/staff to partners in Tanzania from 2006-2019, and the Servant Leadership House, an intentional residential community for women developed in 2014 with the assistance of a NetVUE Program Development Grant. In 2019, with the support of a NetVUE Vocation Across the Academy Grant, she began the work of establishing the Seaton Center for Vocation and Career which opened in January 2021. She also makes a small impact on students’ exposure to wellness opportunities, teaching both yoga and indoor rowing courses at the university.
Inspirations
nature and the unexpected
Favorite Quotes
“The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you." Frederick Buechner
"Everything is impossible, until it's done." Nelson Mandela
Advisor Status
I advise the undeclared major
Curriculum Vitae
Education:
PhD, Graduate Theological Foundation/Oxford Research Program
Dissertation: "Servant Leadership and the Theological Exploration of Vocation: a dialogical relationship"
MA, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
Thesis: "Toward a More Appropriate Understanding of Mission"
BA-biology, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN
Other Work Experience:
1999-2005: Global Mission worker in a teaching capacity in Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia
1986-1991: Taught high school biology in Tanzania, Kenya and the USA.
Community Involvement:
2014-present: Board of Directors and Board Vice-chair, Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA.
2005-present: Copper Country Habitat for Humanity Board
2005-present: Companion Synod Committee, Northern Great Lakes Synod
2006-2009: Church Council, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Hancock, MI
2005-present: Partnership Committee and Faith in Action Committee, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
2019: RiseUP Committee member, creating programming in the Copper Country for the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment
2017: Women's March on Washington, bus captain for U.P. contingent
Certifications
2019, Gallup certified CliftonStrengths coach
2016, Concept2 certified rowing instructor
2016, Aura Wellness Center certified yoga instructor
Publications
René Johnson (2015) “Making the Common Good, Common” in Intersections: Vol. 2015 : No. 42, Article 5
Conference Presentations
June 2021, Presenter for Yes We Must Coalition webinar "Removing Barriers to Enable Degree Completion for Low Wealth Students."
March 2015, NetVUE National Conference presenter, “Vocational Discernment and Community: Lessons Learned from the Classroom and the Servant Leadership House at Finlandia University.”
April 2015, The Heart of Arts and Sciences Colloquium Series presenter, Finlandia University, “Hineini: Here I am, in Leadership and Community.”
Sept 2001, Speaker at the U.S.A. Embassy 9/11 memorial service, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.