Martin Johnson, Dean of LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication, Passes Away, Leaves Immeasurable Legacy

Sept. 29, 2020

We are devastated to share that Martin Johnson, our beloved dean of LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication, has passed away. We are heartbroken. Dean Johnson was an incredible person – a father, husband, leader, teacher, scholar, friend and confidant.

Martin had served as dean of the Manship School since July 2018 and held the Kevin P. Reilly, Sr. Chair in Political Communication. He joined LSU’s faculty in 2014 and studied media, politics, public opinion, political psychology and public policy.

Martin’s contributions to the Manship School have been immeasurable. We will properly honor his legacy in the coming days. But, for now, we will process this tragedy and mourn a loss we will feel forever. We are all here for each other, as part of the School and traditions that Martin helped to build and shape.

“Our entire LSU Family mourns the loss of Dean Johnson, who was a wonderful colleague, friend, father and husband. We will be forever grateful for Dean Johnson’s countless contributions to the Manship School and LSU, and we will miss him terribly,” said LSU Interim President Tom Galligan and LSU Executive Vice President & Provost Stacia Haynie in a joint statement.

We extend our deepest condolences to Martin’s family and friends and will keep his wife, Sherri Johnson, an LSU Department of History faculty member, and their son in our thoughts.