“Philip is thoughtful, kind and always willing to step up and lend a hand when needed. His insight and excellent connections with his classmates have been invaluable to Amherst’s alumni programming, and we’re so grateful to be able to work with him!”
Philip Johnson ’11
Philip Johnson graduated from Amherst in 2011 and majored in biology. He is now a licensed real estate broker in New York City. He has been volunteering for the College since before his graduation, helping to raise funds for his class’s Senior Gift. Currently, Philip is a class agent for the Amherst Fund, reunion chair for the Class of 2011 and regional president of the Amherst Association of New York.
How did you get started volunteering for Amherst?
On the fundraising side of things, I started as one of the co-chairs of Senior Gift for my class. I was very passionate about encouraging classmates to show their commitment to maintaining Amherst's values for centuries to come. On the alumni network side, during the summer of 2011, I attended a summer send-off event and met the president of the Amherst Association of New York. She told me about an upcoming meeting, and the rest is history.
Why do you volunteer with Amherst College?
I volunteer to show my appreciation for the countless people who helped to provide me with my Amherst experience and as a commitment to helping provide future generations of Amherst students with a similarly exceptional experience.
What is your favorite part of volunteering with Amherst?
My favorite part of volunteering is absolutely the opportunity to meet fellow alumni from across the decades. I always learn something new!
What would you say to someone considering a volunteer opportunity with Amherst?
There are so many different ways to get involved as a volunteer, so please reach out to explore all of the roles available. Whether you are able to assist for two hours with an event in your region/city or you're ready to make dozens of phone calls for the Amherst Fund, volunteer opportunities at all different commitment levels are integral to supporting and furthering Amherst's mission in the world.