R-MC Student Experience: Becky Johnsen ’10

Johnsen: "One of the happy by-products of a liberal arts education is that you get great exposure to a variety of disciplines."

Johnsen will graduate in 2010 with  majors in drama and business/economics and a minor in Spanish.

Becky Johnsen ’10 is an actor, orientation leader, debater, lacrosse player and writer. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The self-described “incurably right-brained” native of Laurel, Maryland seems to run non-stop, with interests as varied as the roles she’s played onstage in R-MC’s Cobb Theatre.

Johnsen is a living example of what self-determination, drive and gumption can accomplish. The economics/business and drama major—who added a minor in Spanish for good measure—credits Randolph-Macon for giving her the opportunity to pursue a wide range of interests. “Through R-MC, I have fallen in love with the field of international economic development...and the Spanish language...and professional ethics...and theatre,” she says. “One of the happy by-products of a liberal arts education is that you get great exposure to a variety of disciplines.”

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As the fourth of five siblings to attend R-MC, Johnsen was resistant to following in her brothers’ footsteps. “My brother Henry ’00 began attending R-MC in 1996; as a 10-year-old I made a promise to set myself apart from my big brother and swore I'd never go to Randolph-Macon!” she says. “Six years later, my pact was solidified when two more of my brothers (Peter ’06 and Paul ’08) became Yellow Jackets. Even worse, all three boys had played lacrosse and had majored in economics/business. However, my parents had seen how my brothers had grown at R-MC and they asked me to at least stay the night through a field hockey recruitment event. When I returned home that weekend, I knew that my so-called ‘pact’ was silly, and that Randolph-Macon was the right fit. So, next year I will be walking across a stage adorned in black and lemon—exactly ten years after my brother Henry graduated.” The family tradition will continue when Johnsen’s sister Rachel begins her freshman year at R-MC this fall.

Johnsen is active with Greek affiliations, theYellow Jacket newspaper, the debate team, the writing center, the drama department and the orientation leader team. Her past involvements include the pep band, drama guild and the Randolph Artists and Writers (RAW).

Johnsen also makes time to connect to the community. “One of the first organizations on campus I was involved in was Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity,” she says. “APO is one of several community-service organizations on campus, and I highly recommend that students get involved with these phenomenal efforts, which include Habitat for Humanity, Brothers 4 Change and Sisters Serving in Pink (now Alpha Kappa Alpha). Through APO, I've regularly volunteered at a local dog shelter; I ran for Relay for Life; I annually volunteered at a children's fundraising carnival; and I participated in Adopt-A-Highway and other local environmental initiatives.”

Johnsen has been the recipient of many awards during her career at R-MC, including the Scholarship Award from the Faculty Scholarship Board Dean's List (all semesters), the Branch Oratory Medal, the Sutherlin Oratory Medal, the Phi Beta Kappa Sophomore Award and the Friendship Award from Alpha Phi Omega.

Her post-R-MC plans reflect the nature of this multi-faceted dynamo: “What I hope to do in the short-term is to find a part-time job that allows me to pursue graduate work in international economic development,” says Johnsen. “I would like to eventually work with international organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund or the U.S. State Department, to try to find the best possible ways to utilize resources and help people worldwide. The crucial thing for me right now is to remain flexible for options. I am excited to see how things play out!”


For information on R-MC’s economics/business department, visit http://www.rmc.edu/academics/economics-business.aspx

For information on R-MC’s drama department, visit http://www.rmc.edu/academics/drama.aspx  

For information on R-MC’s Spanish department, visit http://www.rmc.edu/Academics/modern-languages/Spanish.aspx

For more information about the breadth of programs and opportunities available at Randolph-Macon, contact our Admissions Office at (800) 888-1762 or at admissions@rmc.edu