After receiving his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Columbus Johnson, Sacramento State ’85, embarked on a career with the Justice Department that spanned 30 years. He spent 11 of those years as a member of the FBI Rapid Deployment Team responding to threats against American citizens overseas.

He was also a dedicated SigEp volunteer, signing on as AVC secretary with his home chapter immediately after graduation. He went on to serve in various roles, including AVC president, chapter counselor and balanced man steward, with AVCs in Hawaii and throughout California. In addition, he gave his time and talent as a task force member, Carlson faculty and lieutenant district governor for California. Wherever he went, brothers were impressed by Johnson’s humility and boundless love for SigEp.

An attendee of 17 consecutive Conclaves, he co-founded the NUTS! McAuliffe Society, raising thousands of dollars to support scholarships for brothers to attend Conclave. Johnson was twice named Brother of the Year as an undergraduate and was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2001.