Bernard Johnson was a member of the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System, serving as chairman from 1974 to 1976.

Johnson was a Houston civic leader and founder of the engineering and architectural firm that bore his name. He was a graduate of Texas A&M, which later named him a distinguished alumnus.

He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Philosophy Degree from Sam Houston State in December, 1987. In 1987, University Coliseum was renamed in his honor..