For decades, Sandi Johnson greeted almost every student who has attended DMACC’s Boone campus from her window in the front office. She passed away August 23, but will be remembered by generations of DMACC students, faculty and staff.
“She just was such a sweet-hearted genuine caring individual,” said coworker and friend Dr. Nancy Woods. “She was just so cute. She was just… I’m heartbroken.”
Sandi attended Iowa State University in the 1960s for a year majoring in marketing before starting a job at Boone Junior College where she worked with DMACC Boone Provost Dr. Drew Nelson for a few years.
“Sandi worked tirelessly for causes she believed in,” Drew said. “I worked with Sandi for four years. Education at DMACC and ISU had made a huge difference in her life, and she was a strong advocate for the campus and our students.”
Nancy joined Sandi to strengthen the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society on the Boone campus. On Feb 28, 2019, Sandi received an award for 50 years of service for the DMACC Boone campus and remains the longest-serving adviser in the PTK’s history.
“I think it was 2008 that she went back and got her bachelor’s,” said Nancy. “She wanted to prove it’s never too late, you know, to finish your academic dreams.”
Nancy said Sandi was generous in all aspects. If the membership cost for a PTK inductee was too steep, Sandi covered it.
“There’s not a lot of people that put their money where their heart is, but she did… she was a student services individual, and all she wanted to do is help people get to the right class, help them find their schedule, to graduate, to be recognized.”
Amongst her many accomplishments, Sandi was very involved in her community outside of DMACC. Teaching Sunday school at her local church, being a part of Ames Youth and Shelter Advisory Board, and serving as a member of the Boone Optimist Club are just a few. Helping others is her legacy.
“I like helping students”, Sandi once said in a 2019 Banner News interview. ”I like to see them being successful and accomplishing their goals.”
For more information about Sandi’s life, follow this link to her obituary: https://www.schroederfuneral.com/obituaries/sandra-sandi-johnson-2/#!/Obituary