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   J. Chester Johnson, World Trade Center Memorial Poet, held a poetry reading at the University of Arkansas at Monticello on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Johnson read from his newest book, “St. Paul’s Chapel and Selected Shorter Poems.”

   Johnson, born in Chattanooga, Tenn., grew up in Monticello, Ark. He graduated from Monticello High School, and went on to attend Harvard College in Cambridge, Mass., UAM and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he graduated in 1967 with a concentration in English.

   “(Monticello) proved to be a very nurturing place for me personally and artistically,” Johnson said.

   The School of Arts and Humanities and the Rockefeller Distinguished Lectures sponsored Johnson’s visit to UAM. Robert “Redhawk” Moore, associate professor of English, gave an introduction to Johnson and his poetry at the event.

   “Here is an UAM alum who has succeeded at the highest level in the business world; and yet, because he was taught to love poetry by good English teachers, he continues to write and love poetry," Moore said. "He’s a very well-rounded man, because he got a well-rounded education. He went to UAM and Harvard, and he respects them both equally. He feels as if he learned as many important things at UAM as he did Harvard."

   After receiving a college degree, Johnson taught for a year before focusing his professional life on public finance. He worked for businesses such as Moody’s Investors Service and JP Morgan Bank. Johnson also received the title of Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department in the Carter Administration and the job of running the New York City loan program.

   Johnson went on to start his own business, Government Finance Associates, Inc., a financial advisory firm that concentrates on the issuance of debt securities by major state and local governments and public authorities. Operating the company for 25 years as the chairman and owner, Johnson now works with clients such as the states of Alaska, Louisiana and Vermont; as well as Princeton University; Buffalo, NY; airports and other public borrowers.

   When asked how he manages his business career with his writing he said, “One must have an understanding wife and must live with less sleep. Both have been essential for me.”

   Along with his lucrative business ventures, Johnson found success in writing as well. He has published 11 books of poetry and three books of commerce.  Johnson worked on the retranslation of “The Psalms for the Episcopal Church” with poet, W.H. Auden. Over a seven year period, Johnson worked on the Psalms with seven other members. Later, the Lutheran Church and the Anglican Church of Canada adopted their version. Their version of the Psalms can be found in “The Book of Common Prayer.”

   During an informal lecture, held at the Writing Center Tuesday afternoon, Johnson informed Mark Spencer’s Creative Writing class and Diane Payne’s Fundamentals of English class that to be a successful writer you must “integrate experiences you have in your writing.”

   On Sept. 11, 2001, Johnson experienced first-hand an event that sent the nation into shock. Working in downtown New York City near the World Trade Centers, Johnson and his wife Freda were unable to leave their offices for several hours.

   “We were fortunate, of course, for we left the area alive,” Johnson said.

   St. Paul’s Chapel, the inspiration for Johnson’s title poem, miraculously survived the destruction from the Sept. 11 attacks. As Johnson’s poem reads, “It stood.  Not a window broken. / Not a stone dislodged. / It stood / when nothing else did.”

   The oldest continuously used building in Manhattan, St. Paul’s Chapel, became the 24/7 communications and relief center for the recovery workers at Ground Zero. Johnson volunteered at the Chapel, providing assistance to the recovery workers.

   In February 2002, Johnson wrote a poem about St. Paul’s Chapel. It appeared in an Episcopal newsletter in September 2002 to commemorate the first anniversary of Sept. 11. While visiting the first memorial set-up at St. Paul’s Chapel, Johnson found his poem on a make-shift cardboard display. Later, the chapel opened a new and permanent memorial for Sept. 11. St. Paul’s Chapel put Johnson’s poem on permanent display, as well as handing out copies of the poem to visitors.

   As well as reading two Sept. 11 poems, “St. Paul’s Chapel” and “Fear of Flying,” at the poetry reading in the Music Building’s Harris Recital Hall, Johnson also read quatrains, haikus and several poems, some of which were inspired by Monticello.

   Johnson, who decided to offer UAM the Birch-Johnson scholarship for creative writing this year, said, “You can’t (or at least, shouldn’t) experience such a satisfying life without feeling you must give something back in return to those places that helped to shape your abilities and bolster your endurance. UAM is one of those places.”

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