SMITHFIELD - Johnston Community College officially welcomed its third president on Friday. The inauguration drew about 300 people, including delegates from other schools, local politicians and both former presidents of the college.

Dozens of robe-clad faculty and staff entered the room to a Handel overture performed by a brass section and pianist. Dr. David Johnson, the college's new president of 10 weeks, paused at the foot of the stage as a nervous smile crossed his face. For the next hour, he heard the praises and hopes of colleagues, mentors and friends.

"Dr. Johnson, it could be said you have some large shoes to fill," said County Commissioners Chairman Wade Stewart. "But I have no doubt you will leave some big footprints."

R. Scott Ralls, president of the state's community college system, said the college had gained a leader attuned to the needs of his students. They also got a little extra, he said.

"Just think about it: David Johnson is an educator with divine inspiration and a soundtrack," Ralls said, referring to Johnson's background in ministry and music.

Those talents were on display as Johnson and the platform party belted out a song that prayed for wisdom and courage from God.

Edward J. Boone, an N.C. State University professor, said Johnson was a worthy president. "He's not only a scholar, but he's a leader, a leader of leaders," said Boone. Dr. Johnson had integrity, he said later. "You have a leader here who will say tomorrow what he said today, and yesterday."

The student body seemed to approve of the new president too.

"In order to work on behalf of the students, you must first be willing to work with them," said Thomas Currier, president of the Student Government Association. He said students had so far been impressed by Johnson's day-to-day presence on campus.

"Friends, we are definitely entering uncharted territory, and we're lucky to have Dr. Johnson there with us," Currier said.

After taking the oath of office from Superior Court Judge Thomas Lock, Johnson gave an eloquent speech that first drew on the power of religion, then urged Johnstonians to higher heights.

This pinnacle of his career, Johnson said, seemed "providentially ordained."

His sole mission, he said, was to serve God and others. "You have placed a huge obligation in my hands," Johnson said.

Later, he sketched his vision of the college's future. He said the school would work toward new levels of excellence even in dark economic times.

"We are poised to make the leap," Johnson said. His speech was filled with references to the Apollo space program, which sent a man to the moon in the same year Johnston Technical Institute, as it was known then, was founded

Johnson said he planned to improve graduation rates while making the college more accessible. "In a word," he said, the key would be "innovation."

"We must see that change is inevitable, that the target is always moving," he said.

After the speech, Franklin Creech III presented Johnson the President's Medallion, a bronze symbol of the college crafted by Creech's father. Lyn Austin, chairwoman of the school's board of trustees, then formally accepted Johnson as president.