VCU news

Wallace Johnston, D.B.A., a longtime management professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and a well-known workplace commentator, died yesterday from cancer at the age of 69.

Johnston taught at VCU from 1971 to 1996, retiring as an associate professor emeritus. As a teacher, he specialized in the areas of administrative theory, organizational behavior and communications. His research was directed toward understanding cooperative relationships between individuals and their relationships within organizations.

E.G. Miller, Ph.D., senior associate dean for the School of Business, said Johnston was a demanding teacher who had a profound impact on his students. 

"He became an important mentor to a lot of his students," Miller said. "And that mentorship would often carry over after they left VCU."

Glenn Gilbreath, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Management at VCU, agreed, saying "the memories of his wise counsel and friendship will live on."

"In his role as a faculty member and as counselor, advisor, and friend to students, Wally had an ability to peel away superficial issues and help people to focus on the core ideas, often using his wit and humor to put people at ease," Gilbreath said.

After retirement, Johnston, who was known as “Dr. Wally,” wrote columns on work and workplace issues that were carried in the Richmond Times Dispatch, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and were syndicated to 16 other newspapers. His commentaries could be heard on Public Radio, WCVE 88.9 FM, twice a week.

He was also a management consultant, speaker and workshop leader and continued to lecture at VCU in the Executive MBA program and in the Center for Corporate Education. Miller said Johnston was active as a professor at VCU in continuing education and training programs with area businesses, so his work after retirement as a consultant and workplace commentator served as a natural progression.

Johnston published more than 300 academic and trade articles and two books, “Speaking of Work,” and, “What Every Manager Needs to Know,” (coauthored), as well as several recordings and videos.

Friends, colleagues and former students have worked hard to honor Johnston. They raised $30,000 to name a room in his honor at the new School of Business now under construction, and former students Thomas and Vickie Snead contributed $120,000 for a scholarship in his name. Also, a charitable fund to honor him and his workplace lessons was founded at the Virginia Recreation and Park Society.

Miller said Johnston maintained an upbeat attitude after his cancer was diagnosed in 2006.

“He really faced cancer with grace and courage,” Miller said. “He was just an inspiration for everyone he touched, the way he conducted and handled himself through it all.”

Gilbreath said Johnston appreciated the outpouring of support he received at the end of his life.

"Just a few weeks ago, he commented about how blessed he was to be able to see and hear the expressions of thanks and gratitude that so many people voiced," Gilbreath said.

An obituary in today’s Richmond Times-Dispatch can be found here. Also, a half-hour segment about Johnston is scheduled to air on WCVE tonight at 9 p.m.

According to the Times-Dispatch, memorial contributions can be made to the Dr. Wally Work Smart Fund at the Virginia Recreation and Park Society, 6038 Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23111, or Bon Secours Hospice, 8580 Magellan Parkway, Richmond, VA 23227.