Moore School alumnus and his wife bestow generous gift for underrepresented students

Alumnus Lloyd Johnson, ’80 accounting and ’81 MACC, knows the career trajectory higher education can jumpstart for first-generation college students. Johnson was one, and he was inspired by his accounting professor, also a first-generation student.

Johnson says the USC business school’s influence on students since he was enrolled in the early ‘80s continues to shine as many alumni go on to illustrious executive careers.

Johnson and his wife, Juanita, chose to give back to the Moore School because of the impact the business school had on Johnson ahead of his 40+ years in corporate finance and accounting.

Johnson says his “world-class” education at the Moore School led him to work for leading global enterprises like Sara Lee, Emerson, Delphi and Accenture.

“It was the Moore School where I learned the fundamentals of business and developed the professional leadership skills that have been crucial in my successful career,” he says. “I attribute much of my success to the quality of the curriculum, the professors, student centricity and overall environment of professionalism and passion for excellence that existed during my time at the school and that continues to this day.”

Johnson and his wife chose to donate to three Moore School funds:

• $250,000 to support the endowment of the Black Alumni Alliance Scholarship.
• $250,000 to support Master of Accountancy students in honor/memory of Jim Edwards, a longtime accounting faculty member.
• $500,000 to support the programs of the Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement.

"The Darla Moore School of Business and I are honored by Lloyd and Juanita Johnson's investment in changing lives at the Moore School,” says Dean Rohit Verma. “Their gift will elevate the school's positive impact on current and future students, especially those who may have barriers to the access and opportunities the Moore School provides."  

For the Black Alumni Alliance, which was formed in 2021, Johnson was one of the founding steering committee members.

The Black Alumni Alliance encourages involved alumni to mentor minority students during their time in the Moore School and assist them in finding jobs, internships and scholarships.

The alliance also wants to assist the Moore School with recruiting more Black faculty members and students. Another major goal is to mobilize the alumni network to support funding of Moore School initiatives and scholarships for underrepresented students, Johnson said when he was a steering committee member.

Johnson says he wants to be an example to Black alumni so chose to bolster the Black Alumni Alliance Scholarship fund beyond their original $25K fundraising goal.

While Johnson wants to make an impact on current and future Moore School students, he also wants to honor one of his mentors, Jim Edwards, who was his business school accounting professor.

Edwards “was an esteemed professor, mentor and friend and one of the architects of the professional accounting program at the now Moore School,” Johnson says. “As a fellow first-generation graduate, he frequently spoke about the importance of educating and developing students for success in life.”

Along with the fellowship fund in honor of Edwards, Johnson also chose to donate $500K for initiatives in the Moore School’s Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement.

Their office strives to create an environment where everyone is not just valued but has equal opportunities to succeed, including providing opportunities specifically for South Carolinians, says Deborah Hazzard, Moore School associate dean for access, opportunity and community engagement.

The Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement programs include:

• The Rising Scholars program for current Moore School students
• The Power Forward Program for high schoolers from three area K-12 school districts
• The Business Success Academy, a five-day residential program for South Carolina K-12 rising juniors and seniors
• A partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in South Carolina
• Access and opportunity student clubs and organizations
• Scholarship and financial support

Johnson says supporting the Moore School’s access and opportunity programs “not only honors Edwards’ legacy but also creates opportunities for first-generation college students, underprivileged and underrepresented students to obtain a quality education at the Darla Moore School of Business.” 

The mission in the Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement is to open doors and remove barriers so that all students — regardless of background — can excel within the classroom, in their careers and beyond, Hazzard says.

“Lloyd Johnson’s generosity is more than just a financial gift; it is an investment in the future of South Carolinians, including first-generation and less-resourced students,” she says. “His gift ensures they have opportunities, mentorship and a strong community of support that empowers them to thrive at the Moore School and in their careers. His financial investment will, indeed, result in unimaginable returns to our state, university and global businesses.”

Noting the Moore School’s excellence and reach, Johnson says the market for talented business students is extremely competitive.

“The programs we are supporting help with early student outreach; they also aid in identifying, recruiting and financially assisting aspiring Moore School students,” he says. “For me, support to my alma mater not only includes financial but also proactive engagement in positive activities that make our university better by supporting the administration, faculty and students.”

To celebrate Johnson’s involvement with the Moore School, he received in 2024 the Distinguished Service Leadership Award. His recent engagement also includes serving on the University of South Carolina - Business Partnership Foundation.

“It’s an honor for me to serve on the BPF Board of Trustees, which is comprised of business leaders across the nation, and to have the opportunity to contribute to the future success of the Moore School in a more strategic manner,” he says.