KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- Dr. Ronn Johnson followed up his incredible basketball career at Biola with a meaningful and impactful journey in higher education. Johnson was awarded the Small College Basketball Larry Smith Award for his successful playing career and influential life as a professor and educator.

The Larry Smith Award is presented annually to a former Small College Basketball player who has used the game of basketball to learn and apply life lessons that have significantly enhanced their life and then given back to impact the lives of others and change the world for good.



The 1973 graduate put together an unmatched career on the court for the Biola men's basketball squad. Johnson was inducted into the Biola Hall of Fame in 2014. Through his four-year career, Johnson collected 1,803 points, 1,460 rebounds and 114 games played.

The record book reflected his tremendous success at Biola. The three-time NAIA All-American finished his career with three of Biola's top-10 single-season rebound totals, while also being in the top-5 in career points, top-10 in career field goals and top-10 in career free throws.

After his time at Biola, Johnson moved on to complete Master's degrees from Southern Nazarene University, the University of Central Oklahoma and Chapman University. He would also go on to earn a PhD in Psychology from Oklahoma State University.

Johnson made his impact as a professor, influencing students across four different universities during his career. Most recently, Johnson has been a Professor at the Creighton University School of Medicine and was named Senior Associate Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging this year. Johnson put together 52 referred publications and has been a member of 12 professional associations and memberships.

Johnson was humbled by the prestigious award bestowed to him, "I am an imperfect vessel that God continues to use to fulfill His purposes," said Johnson. "My life mission is to share and show Jesus Christ in all that I do. I am grateful to my mother Dellia Johnson who taught me to have a dream and then work hard to achieve it. I am thankful for this award because it functions as a marker for how all things can be accomplished through the strength that Christ provides."