Dr. Francis “Frank” Johnson was UT Dallas’ first acting president. An expert in atmospheric physics, Johnson’s work analyzing German rockets captured during World War II led to an early career as the manager of space physics for Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. He would later join the faculty of the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest.

When Erik Jonsson, Cecil Green and Eugene McDermott transferred the research center to the State of Texas in 1969, UT System Chancellor Harry Ransom appointed Johnson to be acting president. He would serve in this position for the first two years of the University’s existence.

Frank and his wife, Maurine, were tasked with recruiting and expanding the new institution’s faculty. While Frank and UT System leadership attempted to catalyze the development of the fledgling University, as the original first lady of UT Dallas, Maurine helped attract academic and industry leaders to campus and secure their commitments to join the faculty. She welcomed recruits and distinguished guests in the couple’s home, hosting delegates from NASA and other space science institutions. By creating a caring and collegial environment for potential recruits and industry partners, she helped encourage many of the University’s first faculty members to take a chance on UT Dallas.

After Maurine’s death in 2016, UT Dallas realized the largest planned gift in its history from the Johnsons’ estate. Frank and Maurine left $5.5 million to the University, creating the Francis S. and Maurine G. Johnson Distinguished University Chair in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Their gift also funded the establishment of seven additional Francis S. and Maurine G. Johnson Chairs in NSM.