Merle and Shirley Johnson

Merle and Shirley Johnson were both born in Powers Lake, ND and have known each other their entire lives. Merle graduated in 1954 from North Dakota State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and had a successful career in aerospace and rockets. They married in Powers Lake after Merle’s service in the Army in Korea during the Korean War and have lived in California ever since. Merle and Shirley have two sons: Scott is an endodontist and Marshall is an architect. They also have five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. When reflecting on NDSU and its impact on them, Merle believes NDSU’s tag line should be: “From insignificant to significant.” He believes that NDSU provided him the education for his career and for him and Shirley to raise their family together. This scholarship will allow them to help others move ‘from insignificant to significant’!