During last Wednesday’s FAMCO luncheon, Professor of Sociology Johanna Foster, Ph.D. was announced as the 2026 recipient of The Donald Warncke Award for her unyielding commitment to “service and dedication” to Monmouth University and its faculty union.

 While serving as FAMCO’s President and Chief Negotiator from 2019-2025, Foster invigorated membership into active participation, especially during the 2024 bargaining round during which fairer wages and dignified quality of life were at the forefront of efforts. When the world was confronted with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the calls for ensuring safe working conditions and for the protection of all members of the Monmouth community.

Commenting on Foster’s achievements during her tenure, current FAMCO President Dr. Megan Delaney stated, “Foster’s time serving as President of FAMCO brought about a renaissance to a strong union that would not lay down in the face of attacks on faculty rights. Her willingness to bear the brunt of countless fights surrounding working conditions for faculty [and] her emphasis on organizing a strong membership has already and will continue to hear its fruit long into the future.”

In addition to her extremely active union participation, Foster has continually collaborated with students – she has served as faculty advisor/co-advisor to the Young Democrat Socialists of America, the Social Justice Club, MU Sociology Club, SAFE at Monmouth (Student Alliance for Equality), among many others. Her service to the University can also be seen as co-creator of the Monmouth University Student Organizer Clinic and of the Monmouth Academic Exchange in Prison Project.

About The Donald Warncke Award: The Faculty Association of Monmouth University (FAMCO) sponsors the Donald Warncke Award in memory of Donald Warncke, the first president of FAMCO. Any member of the university community who has distinguished himself or herself through outstanding service over the years is eligible, except current members of the FAMCO Executive Committee.