Paul Johnson grew up in Jalingo, Nigeria. He spent a year in the United States as a foreign exchange student in 2009 before going home in 2010. Through the Iowa/Nigeria Partnership of the Methodist Church, Paul was able to return to the U.S. to attend Morningside College in 2012. Paul spent his freshman and sophomore year in Sioux City before he was able to return home during the summer of 2014 for a short visit with his family.  Paul has not seen his family since that visit and his wish for graduation is for his parents to be able to see him walk across the stage receiving his diploma. 

Paul’s parents, Philip and Sarostina, have never had the opportunity to travel to the United States to see where their son has lived for four and a half years, and Paul’s dream is for them to attend his college graduation in May. 

During the four and a half years that he has been away from his family, Paul has touched many lives by being involved in several activities on campus, such as student government, the Mass Communication department, church organizations, practicing with the soccer and track teams, as well as being passionate about ultimate frisbee. Paul has held different positions with Student Government such as senator, secretary, student advocate, and this year he was voted student body president.  He was also voted Homecoming King this past October.  Paul has been a Resident Assistant on campus for the past two years and is currently the sports director for KMSC, the campus radio station. He shows great passion for calling both football and basketball games for Morningside. He has always been very active in his church. He spoke at the Iowa Annual Conference this past summer in Des Moines to share his experiences at Morningside as the Methodist student receiving the Iowa/Nigeria Partnership Scholarship.  He has gone on mission trips and enjoys doing volunteer work around the community. Paul has gone to York, NE and New Jersey on organized mission trips, as well as taking part in Morningside’s “Into the Streets” the past four years.  He has also helped with the Siouxland Food Bank, volunteered to chaperone a group of international students on a trip to the Black Hills, and had the opportunity for an internship at Mary Treglia Community House where he was able to help immigrants and refugees get settled in Sioux City. 

The money from this fundraiser will pay for travel expenses for Paul’s parents to attend his college graduation in Sioux City, Iowa.  For this to become a reality for Paul, and his parents, the funds should be raised by the end of January 2016 so that travel plans can be made for his graduation in May.  After everything that he has done to help other people while he has been here, whether it is service work or just being a friend, now is the time that we can help him to achieve his dream.  It will mean everything to Paul to have his parents see him graduate!