Matthew Johnson graduated from Roseburg High School in 1998 and became a recipient of the Ford Scholars Program. Eager to attend Oregon State University, Matthew had big plans to study engineering, psychology, physics, and philosophy. His love of math and his active nature drove him to succeed in and out of the classroom. In 2002, Matthew graduated from OSU with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. He entered the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant in April 2003 and since then he has earned his master’s degree and is now a Captain at Eglin Air Force Base near Pensacola, Fla. He was also in the Honor Guard at Hanscom Air Force Base near Boston, Mass. and served one tour in Afghanistan.

Recently, Matthew accepted a position at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Academy is funding his doctorate at the school of his choice, which he plans to begin in the fall of 2010 and continue for three years, and in return, Matt will teach mathematics at the Academy for four years. For his doctorate work, Matthew is looking into attending a school in Tucson, Ariz. that has an outstanding electrical engineering program. Because of this opportunity, Matthew will be able to retire at the ripe old age of 43!

Matthew is married to Kinetta, who left the Air Force at the rank of Captain to raise their three daughters, including one set of twins. Life is good for Matthew and his family.

Matthew’s parents attribute many of his successes and opportunities to the Ford Family Scholarship Programs. In 1998, Matthew wrote in his scholarship application essay, “To achieve [my] goals [will] require a lot of hard work, and maybe a little bit of luck. All I really need to do is follow the path I know is right.” To this day, in 2009, Matthew has continued to work very hard and is following a path filled with tremendous opportunities – and that is no matter of luck.