FORT WAYNE, Ind.—University of Saint Francis Professor Emeritus Dr. Dave Johnson will be the featured speaker at the 2026 Saint Francis Commencement on Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m., at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
Johnson joined the Saint Francis faculty in 1990 as part of the founding generation of its nursing programs and has taught nursing, business, allied health sciences and interdisciplinary programming.
“The positive impact that Dr. Dave Johnson has made on Saint Francis students cannot be quantified,” Saint Francis President Dr. Lance Richey said. “Hundreds of students have become better professionals and better people because of his guidance, mentoring and friendship. Faculty, staff and all those who have had the pleasure of working alongside Dave are also thankful to know this incredible man. We look forward to his insights and inspiration at commencement.”
Johnson considers accompanying students in their academic, professional and spiritual growth as one of the greatest privileges of his career. Although he has received many awards throughout his vocation, the honors he cherishes most are those bestowed by the University of Saint Francis: the Franciscan Spirit Award, the Leepoxy Award for Teaching Excellence, the Teaching Excellence and Leadership Award, the Distinguished Honorary Alumni Award and the rank of Professor Emeritus. Each reflects the Franciscan values he strives to embody and the deep mutual affection between him and the Saint Francis community.
Johnson and his wife, Rosie, deepened their shared spirituality during a pilgrimage to Assisi with President Emerita Sister Elise Kriss, OSF, and Saint Francis colleagues, renewing their marriage vows during the journey—a moment he regards as among the most meaningful of his life. Together they have raised six children and cherish 15 grandchildren. The loss of their eldest son, Justin, to cancer shaped their family’s mission to accompany others through grief and suffering. Johnson credits Rosie’s wisdom and faith as the foundation of their family life, and together they help others find resilience, perspective and hope.
At the center of Dr. Johnson’s life is a core conviction: God’s presence is revealed in everyday moments of love, service, wonder and awe.
Johnson is a lifelong member of the Catholic community, formed early in his faith through Precious Blood Church and School and long connected to the University of Saint Francis. For nearly 50 years, he has been an active parishioner at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, where the rhythms of faith, service and community have shaped his vocation.
Johnson began his healthcare career in 1972 at St. Joseph Hospital, where the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ profoundly influenced his spiritual and professional development. Their mission‑driven care for the most vulnerable inspired his deep respect for their charism and eventually led him to join the Poor Handmaids’ Associate Community in 2021. He continues to support their ministries through education, formation and service on their executive board with the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation.
Johnson is dually certified in adult mental health and holistic nursing and licensed in clinical social work and marriage and family therapy. Over decades of service with Parkview Health, he has provided employee assistance and trauma support, especially for first responders and healthcare professionals. He views compassion, attentive listening, prayer and forgiveness as essential to healing and central to his clinical identity. Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Purdue University, a master’s degree in adult mental health nursing from Ball State University and a doctorate with an organizational psychology focus from Indiana University.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. The academic structure at Saint Francis offers seven pathways: Humanities, Faith and Liberal Arts; Allied Health; Business and Leadership; Creative Arts and Digital Media; Education, Human Services and Community Care; Nursing; and Sciences and Medical Studies. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis delivers workforce development healthcare programs in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Gas City, Indianapolis, Lafayette and online. Saint Francis Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. A National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Five-Star Champion of Character institution, Saint Francis has 21 athletic programs boasting three individual and four team NAIA national championships. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.