Sad News: Colton Johnson

September 30, 2025

Dear all,

I write to tell you, with great sadness, of the death in September of Colton Johnson, Professor Emeritus of English. For more than forty years, Emeritus Professor Johnson brought his wisdom and wit to his many roles at Vassar, and he loved the College. He began in 1965 as a member of the English Department, and continued as Dean of Studies, Dean of the College, and College Historian. In all the ways he contributed to the life of the College, he was guided by one ambition, “I want the students to feel like they’re a part of this place.”

As a member of the English Department, he introduced Irish literature into the curriculum and made the world of Irish literature and culture come to life for his students through his deep knowledge and sly sense of humor. Throughout his career at Vassar, he worked on publishing the uncollected prose of W. B. Yeats, and he shared his knowledge of Ireland with students long after they had left Vassar by leading literary tours of the country, in one case ending up in Dublin on Bloomsday toasting James Joyce’s Ulysses with Guinness.

Emeritus Professor Johnson became Dean of Studies in 1972 and served as the first Dean of the College after years of service in the Dean of Studies office. In these roles, his deep commitment to making the College a place where every student could succeed was evident every day. He offered judicious advice both to students and faculty; he handled with intelligence and humor the myriad situations that arose in the Dean of Studies office, and he was a trusted colleague and mentor to the senior members of the administration.

He completed his Vassar career as the College Historian, where he collaborated with students in the use of the College archives to create the Vassar Encyclopaedia, an online compendium of the history of the College. All his colleagues and students who knew him over his years at Vassar will feel his loss deeply. We extend our sympathy to his family and loved ones.

Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar