Shane Johnson Named Director of Development for Libraries
Growing up in Pullman in the 1980s and 1990s, Shane Johnson recalls how Holland and Owen Libraries played a part in his education through class trips, high school research projects, or just explorations of campus buildings with friends as a latchkey kid. In those days, Terrell Library didn’t exist, although Johnson’s parents knew former WSU President Glenn Terrell.
“I have always been drawn to libraries not only for the universe of information they hold, but also for the cozy and contemplative spaces they provide,” said Johnson, WSU Libraries’ new director of development. “I am curious about history and have always seen the library as my favorite portal to the past, but libraries have also given me my first glimpses of the future. It was at the library that I first saw and used the internet for years before I had any connection of my own.”
Johnson said he plans to find support for the Libraries’ ongoing digitization efforts, the preservation of special collections in perpetuity, and the transformation of study spaces to support 21st-century students and scholars. He also wants to sustain and build upon the solid foundation of private support that many before him have worked so hard to cultivate over the years.
“I hope my work can connect our donors with the students, faculty, archivists, and librarians their giving supports, so they can really feel the impact they have had and be inspired to continue and grow their support,” Johnson said. “I’m excited to spread the message that libraries are one of the few places on campus a donor can support and truly say their support benefits all students.”
Johnson became involved in university fundraising as a student phonathon caller and research office assistant during his undergraduate years at University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English in 2000, and later as an annual giving coordinator at University of Idaho from 2008–11.
When his wife, Amie Smith, decided to pursue her doctorate at Utah State University in Logan, Smith and Johnson moved to Utah, where he served as development director for USU’s Center for Persons with Disabilities from 2011–17. While there, Johnson raised money to start the Aggies Elevated program, similar to WSU ROAR, and to build a new clinical services building, the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence. Smith and Johnson had their daughter Ruby, now 10, in Logan.
When Smith finished her doctorate, the family moved back to Pullman to settle down, raise Ruby, and work for WSU. Smith is a licensed psychologist and associate director of Counseling and Psychological Services in Cougar Health Services.
Johnson said they like to spend time gardening, cooking, entertaining friends, exploring “our amazing Pacific Northwest region (and further when we can),” and following Cougar sports.