Remembering Mr. Hopkins
A graveside gathering marks the
anniversary of Johns Hopkins' death.
PHOTO BY HPS/JAY VANRENSSELAER
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Under a heavy downpour and with a group of
umbrella-wielding Johns Hopkins colleagues by his side,
Ross Jones, university vp and secretary emeritus, oversaw
what has become a Christmas Eve tradition: a graveside
remembrance of Johns Hopkins.
The 78-year-old merchant died on Dec. 24, 1873, leaving a
$7 million bequest — at the time, the nation's
largest — to give the city he loved a fine university
and hospital.
"The people at Hopkins, in Baltimore, in Maryland and
around the world owe such a debt to this man," said Jones,
at the hilltop site at Green Mount Cemetary. "We thank him
for his enormous generosity and for the example he set."
Maggie Huson leaves a good-luck
penny.
PHOTO BY HPS/JAY VANRENSSELAER
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Before leaving, many in the group, which also included
family members, left pennies on the benefactor's tombstone.
The gesture was begun a few years ago by Mike Morsberger,
director of development for the
Johns
Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, who visited Hopkins'
grave before asking for a $1 million gift. The donor said
yes, and the visit has become a regular stop throughout the
year for development officers.
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