Floyd Drayton Johnson Papers
Collection
Identifier: Mss-0094
The Johnson Papers document primarily Floyd Johnson's activities in agricultural and vocational education in York County, his association with the National Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association (NVATA), the American Vocational Association (AVA), and as a member of President Kennedy's Panel of Consultants to study technical and vocational education.
There are no restrictions on the use of this material beyond those of Special Collections.
Floyd Drayton Johnson was born October 10, 1916 in Holbert's Cove, Saluda Township, Polk County, North Carolina. Though from a poor farm family, through the generosity of a benefactor he was able to attend Mars Hill College and later Clemson University where he received a B.S. degree in Vocational Agricultural Education in 1939 and a M.S. in Agricultural Education in 1960. In 1977, Johnson received an Education Specialist degree from Winthrop College. Upon the completion of his undergraduate degree, he began his teaching career with the York County, South Carolina schools, initially as Agriculture Teacher (1939-1974), Supervisor of Vocational Education (1974-1975), and later as Superintendent of York District One (1975-1980). It was during his first year in York that he met and married the former Ann Elizabeth McCollum of McColl, South Carolina.
During his entire teaching career, Johnson was active in county, state, and national professional education associations. He served as President of the National Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association (NVATA) 1960-61, the American Vocational Association (AVA) 1967-68, the South Carolina Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association (SCVATA), as well as treasurer and board member of the South Carolina Vocational Association. He was awarded life memberships in both the NVATA and the AVA and in 1961 was awarded the American Farmer Degree by the Future Farmers of America, the highest award given by that organization. Of particular significance was his appointment in 1961 to President Kennedy's Panel of Consultants on Vocational Education. The recommendations of the Panel served as the basis for the passage of the Vocational Education Act of 1963. During the 1965/66 academic year, Johnson took a leave of absence from his teaching position to serve as Agricultural Consultant and Director of Manpower Development and Training Act (MDTA) for the State Committee on Technical Education. During this year, programs in agricultural technology were established at three technical education centers in South Carolina. In 1976, the Floyd D. Johnson Vocational Center at York Comprehensive High School was dedicated in his honor. Throughout his career, Johnson was active in civic, church, and community life and was dedicated to the growth of vocational education. After serving the school district of York County for nearly 42 years, Johnson retired from his position as superintendent of York County School District #1, in June of 1980. He and his wife 'Libby' were able to enjoy a few years of retirement together before his death on November 19, 1984.
10 Cubic Feet
English
This collection consists primarily of material which Johnson collected and created during his career in education with York County School District #1 as a teacher of agricultural education and later as district superintendent. Johnson served on several advisory committees and organizations supporting agricultural and vocational education and was appointed to President Kennedy's Panel of Consultants to study technical and vocational education in America.
The collection is arranged in series as follows:
1) York Years 1939-1984
2) Panel of Consultants 1960-1963
4) American Vocational Association 1954-1969
3) National Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association 1952-1984
5) Printed Material 1954-1977
In the first series, information about Floyd Johnson's career as teacher of agriculture and later as superintendent of York District #1 is arranged alphabetically in a subject file. While very active in his teaching career, Johnson served on committees and was actively involved in organizations instrumental in the implementation and growth of vocational and technical education programs in the state of South Carolina.
The Panel of Consultants series contains information regarding the work of the Panel in the study of vocational and technical education in America. Included in this series is the final report of the panel and Johnson's view of the implications of this study on agriculture. The Panel studied aspects of vocational and technical education including administration of programs, occupational and technical training, equal opportunities for vocational education, vocational education in agriculture, distributive education and other youth clubs, and the financing of vocational education programs. The American Vocational Association series contains organizational information on the association and documents Johnson's involvement in the organization throughout his career. Founded in 1925, the association is a federation of state vocational associations dedicated to the promotion and development of vocational, technical and practical arts education. Johnson was a member of this organization for over 40 years. During his years of association with the AVA, he held numerous offices including President of AVA from 1967-1968. In 1977, Floyd Johnson was named "Outstanding Vocational Educator of the Year" by the AVA at its annual convention in Atlantic City, NJ and was awarded a life membership in the organization.
Similar to the AVA series, though larger, the National Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association (NVATA) series contains organizational information, convention, executive committee, and board of directors meeting minutes. Johnson served as alternate and Regional Vice-President and NVATA President, 1960-61. The NVATA was founded in 1973, and Johnson was awarded life membership in this association.
The Printed Material series contains primarily annotated publications that were received as a group when the papers were donated to the libraries. Publications and other printed materials that were received within the collection were left in place, where appropriate. The Printed Material series should be consulted for possible publications generated by organizations or committees Johnson was associated with.
These papers were donated to the Special Collections unit by Robert and William Johnson, sons of Floyd Johnson, in 1987.
1. Monographs-removed to main library collection.
Clark, Harold F. and Harold S. Sloan. Classrooms in the Stores: An Account of Education and Research In American Retailing. Missouri: Roxbury Press, 1962.
Clark, Harold F. and Harold S. Sloan. Classrooms in the Factories: An Account of Educational Activities conducted by American Industry. New Jersey: Fairleigh Dickinson Univ., 1960.
2. Government Documents-removed to Public Documents.
U.S. Congress. Senate. Subcommittee on Education, Committee on\Labor and Public Welfare. Notes and Working Papers Concerning the Administration of Programs under Vocational Act of 1963, Public Law 88-210, As Amended. 90th Cong., 2nd sess., 1968.
3. University Archives-A number of Clemson University publications were removed to the University Archives.
This register was prepared by Karen Ellenberg in 1988.
The conversion of this finding aid to Encoded Archival Description format was made possible with a grant from the South Carolina State Historical Records Advisory Board in 2009-2010. The finding aid was prepared for encoding by Virengia Houston.
Part of the Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository