Johnny Lechner
Encyclopedia
Perpetual student
A perpetual student, also known as a professional student , is a college or university attendee who re-enrolls for several years, typically more than what is necessary to obtain a given degree....
at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.
Academic career
Lechner's claim to fame (or infamy) is that he has been attending college since graduating from Waukesha North High SchoolWaukesha North High School
Waukesha North High School is a high school in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and part of the Waukesha School District. It officially opened its doors at mid-semester during the 1974-'75 school year, the northside students transferring from Waukesha South High School to North.The school has been recognized...
in 1994. Lechner did not graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater is part of the University of Wisconsin System, located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It became Wisconsin's second public college on April 21, 1868 when it opened its doors to 39 students taught by nine faculty members...
in 2006, 2007, 2008, or 2009, despite having enough credits to graduate with nine majors and five minors.
As of October 10, 2011, Lechner is not listed in the UW-Whitewater student directory and it is unclear whether his student status continues. His directory entry was last verified on April 16, 2010.
At Whitewater he has won a campus "Big Man on Campus" beauty pageant, studied abroad
Study abroad
Studying abroad is the act of a student pursuing educational opportunities in a country other than one's own. This can include primary, secondary and post-secondary students...
in "Paris, London, Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, Venice and Switzerland" and South Africa, appeared on Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman is a U.S. late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is...
and Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
, been named one of People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
s "Hot Bachelors", run for student body president
Student body president
The President of the Student Government is the highest ranking officer of a student government or student union association on the high school, college, or university level...
, and appeared in two films, including Minor League: A Football Story and a starring role in Fraternity House.
The "Johnny Lechner rule"
Lechner has been dubbed the "real-life Van WilderNational Lampoon's Van Wilder
National Lampoon's Van Wilder is a 2002 comedy film directed by Walt Becker that stars Ryan Reynolds as the main character. The film also stars Kal Penn, Tara Reid, and Daniel Cosgrove. It features Sophia Bush's acting debut...
". The Wisconsin Board of Regents instituted a "Johnny Lechner rule" on long-term students, so Lechner pays double the standard in-state tuition.