IRON RIVER – Former Iron River resident Paul W. Johnson was the recipient of the 2015 Academic Award from Wayne State University in Detroit.

Johnson is the graduate and certification officer at Wayne State, where he was been employed at for 10 years.

Prior to taking that position, Johnson was named director of technology for West Iron County Schools in 1997. He later served as principal of Bates Elementary School, before the district moved out of the building as classrooms were consolidated. At that time, he was appointed principal at Stambaugh Elementary School, a position that he held until 2005 when taking the position at WSU.

Johnson is the son of Rose M. Johnson of Iron River and the late William J. Johnson.

He graduated summa cum laude from Northern Michigan University in 1995, when he earned his bachelor’s degree in education. He received his master’s degree in 2001 at NMU in educational administration and supervision with a GPA of 3.96, graduating summa cum laude.

Johnson is a 1991 graduate of West Iron County High School.