by Nancy Sep£lveda
Daily Lobo
Greg Johnston spent his days promoting UNM's programs, services and people.
Now, the University is celebrating Johnston's accomplishments.
Johnston, a senior communication representative in UNM's Communication and Marketing Department, died of cancer Feb. 14. He was 56.
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About 250 people attended a memorial for Johnston on Thursday in the UNM Alumni Chapel.
"Wouldn't you know that Greg would attract a standing-room-only crowd," said Susan McKinsey, Johnston's co-worker.
Johnston, born Dec. 17, 1950, in Minneapolis, moved to Bernalillo in 1977.
He worked in the Department of Public Affairs in UNM's Health Sciences Center before joining the Communication and Marketing Department.
"Greg absolutely loved his job at UNM," said his sister, Julie Johnston.
Johnston wrote stories and took photographs for UNM Today, Mirage Magazine and the Campus News, among other publications.
Clips of Johnston's stories and his photographs were on display at the memorial.
"He had a commitment to providing quality photography and writing," said Carolyn Gonzales, who worked with Johnston.
But Johnston's life wasn't just about work, she said.
"Creating a balance between work and life was also important to Greg," she said.
Gonzales said Johnston was a baseball fan, a music lover and a gardener.
"I'll miss his tomatoes," Gonzales said.
The memorial included a performance by Johnston's friend Rahim AlHaj, a musician and composer.
Sam Giammo, director of public affairs for the Health Sciences Center, spoke about Johnston's compassion, empathy and love for the Grateful Dead.
"This was a gift that Greg gave me," Giammo said, revealing his necktie, which was decorated with the image of Grateful Dead singer Jerry Garcia.
His appreciation for music influenced Johnston to organize summer concerts on campus, said Shelley Rael, chair of the Staff Council's Work and Life Committee.
The concerts have also been part of the University's Staff Appreciation Week.
"He (Johnston) pulled all the bands together and promoted the concerts," Rael said.
In January, the Staff Council voted to name the events the "Greg Johnston Summer Concerts."
"We knew there wouldn't be many summer concerts left for Greg," Rael said.
Johnston's favorite local band, Jasper, performed Thursday in the SUB as a precursor to this summer's concert series.
The performance was a tribute to Johnston, Rael said.
In honor of Johnston and his continued support of the band, Jasper performed a song by the Grateful Dead.
Rael said the concert was planned with the hope that Johnston would be able to attend.
"We are carrying on with the concert to memorialize Greg," she said.
