Jackson Free Press

Theon Johnson's name fits, with both parts ending melodiously with the word on, as in "on the job." In Johnson's case, that means finishing his studies, earning a dual degree in philosophy and religious studies with a minor in education. "I'm also getting the pre-reqs for medical school," the tall, lively-faced young man said as we sat in the Bowl at Millsaps College, the grassy center of campus, criss-crossed by sidewalks and ringed with shade trees.

From the Sharon community near Canton, Johnson, 21, came into the city to attend the college of his choice. Johnson serves as Millsaps' first African-American Student Body Association president and the second African-American president of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. For anyone else, that ought to be enough involvement along with his academic load. But this young man has been lead musician with the Canton United Methodist Church since he was 13; he belongs to and works with so many on-campus and community organizations that there's not room to list them here; he works with three boards of the International UMC and traveled to Brazil in January as one of more than 230,000 plus at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre. "There was a sea of humanity, of different languages and cultures, from Sharon, Mississippi, to Cambodia, all in the spirit of working toward bringing about peace in the world," Johnson explained, pausing as we talked to wave and speak to passers-by who called out his name.

I asked him what he thinks these students, faculty and staff think when they see him, smiling and calling out to them. "That I'm genuine. They know that. Whether I'm Theon the student or Theon who passes legislation on their behalf, it's all geared toward their best interests," he replied, going on to point out that if we work to better our community, in turn we make the greater community better.

"We tend to forget the importance of the nuclear environment. I'm from the country, where we believe charity starts at home," he said. At home, Theon is the third with that name, after his father and grandfather. Home is where his parents and his sisters are, his own nuclear family. "I love it," he smiled widely, his eyes shining. "I attribute all of my Theon-ness to my family," Johnson said, "to all of the people I've come in contact with in life."