FORMER SIKESTON MAN RECEIVES GRANT TO STUDY TRAUMA AT UCLA

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Former Sikeston, Mo., resident Chris Johnson was admitted into the University of Los Angeles (UCLA) Ph.D. program in clinical psychology. He is one of 10 graduate students selected for the competitive five-year program.

The son of son of Doug and Teresa Johnson of Sikeston, Johnson said the competiveness made him hesitate about applying to UCLA, but his wife, Linda, convinced him to at least try.

"I don't believe I would have taken the risk or accomplished this career transition without the help and encouragement of Linda.

Broken down, he will receive $5,000 a year for tuition and registration and $15,000 a year for living expenses, guaranteed for four years.

"As a 'social science,' psychology provides an avenue for improving the lives of others, whether indirectly, through research, or directly, through application and counseling," Johnson said of his career path. "For me, that's a great reward. Additionally, I just really enjoy learning, investigation, and academic environments. Clinical psychology offers me the ideal balance of helping others while satisfying my own intellectual curiosity."