Randy Johnson was like a lot of University of Miami alumni: “I went to school there, I paid my tuition, and that was it.” He graduated with a psychology degree and began working his way to the top of the mortgage banking business, now serving as president and CEO of Tampa-based Market Street Mortgage Corporation. It wasn’t until a few years ago that Johnson ever looked back.

“My oldest son was starting to look at universities, and when we took the tour at Miami I got so excited about it,” he recalls about the visit. “I realized I’d like to do more to support my alma mater, so I joined President’s Council and started getting involved.”

Johnson first turned his attention to the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. The Randall C. Johnson Lecture Hall in the Fred C. and Helen Donn Flipse Building bears the name of this entrepreneurial powerhouse. With his recent commitment of $1 million to help fund the new alumni center on the Coral Gables campus, Johnson advocates the importance of having a “tangible sign that this University is devoted to its alumni. With this center,” he says, “the University is saying ‘We want to embrace our alumni.’ And for alumni, the center provides a lot of opportunity for programs. It’s a really good way to leverage a contribution into something that’s meaningful.”

Estimated at $14.5 million, the Alumni Center will include comfortable lounge areas, meeting rooms, a business center, café, and library. Outside, there will be a plaza and gardens for alumni gatherings and events.

Now Johnson’s youngest son is eyeing the University of Miami as the next step in his education. But no matter which school his son chooses, Johnson will stress the importance of keeping in touch. “Your relationship with your university really can carry on beyond the four years you’re there,” he says. “Staying involved goes both ways—the more you put into it, the more you get out of it.”