Johns Hopkins Gazette: October 2, 1995


It's Easy To Judge This Teacher By His Students

Karen Fay
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School of Continuing Studies

     When Judge John Hardwicke began teaching at Hopkins, Dwight
Eisenhower was president of the United States. He remembers
because Eisenhower was instrumental to his appointment as a
faculty member.

     "I was a young--and poor--law associate at Piper& Marbury.
One of the partners who taught in the evenings for the School of
Continuing Studies [then known as McCoy College] was named by
Eisenhower to the federal district court," explains Hardwicke.
"He had to relinquish his teaching position, and William Marbury
suggested I take his place, in addition to my responsibilities
with the firm."

     Forty years later, Judge Hardwicke has yet to miss a
semester teaching business law to undergraduate students in the
school's Division of Business and Management. "I love to teach,"
he says simply. "And, I enjoy Hopkins because of the marvelous
students I encounter."

     "Judge Hardwicke is one of the most sought-after of our
faculty members," says Ken Westary, associate program director of
undergraduate business programs at the school. "Even the School
of Arts and Sciences students who are studying pre-law
specifically seek him out."

     Hardwicke's teaching methods, in addition to his breadth of
knowledge about the subject matter, may have much to do with his
popularity. "Part-time students are sometimes at a disadvantage
in that they have been away from scholastic studies for an
extended period of time. I try to help them learn how to listen
and take good notes--to really savor what's important in the
lecture."

     "For students who have had little exposure with the subject,
Judge Hardwicke begins at the foundation. He treats it like a
science--going back to the roots of law in society to make it
more understandable," says Bill Eddy, a former student of
Hardwicke's currently working on his undergraduate business
degree. "He begins with simple terms, and gradually makes it more
difficult.  

     "Every class session was intense," Eddy continues. "In
terms of material covered, the information on such topics as
business contracts can immediately apply to real life
situations."

     The fact that he knows the material is unquestionable. 

     "I live what I teach," Hardwicke says. His particular skill,
honed in more than 30 years of general practice in Baltimore
City, focuses on negotiation, contract, and corporate
litigation. In 1989, then-Governor Schaefer appointed him
Maryland's first chief administrative law judge of the Office of
Administrative Hearings. He and the 65 judges he supervises hear
approximately 50,000 cases a year.

     "I admire his commitment," Eddy says. "Judge Hardwicke's
pores emit justice. He sees the purity of it."

     And, he's written the book on business law. Literally.
Business Law, the textbook he authored, published by Barron's
Education Services, Inc., is used not only at Hopkins, but in
classrooms across the nation.

     While law may be Hardwicke's favorite topic, he admits a
fondness for ancient history and reading. "I taught myself Greek
about 10 years ago. While I'm not fluent, I am able to read
interlinear books that have Greek and English printed side by
side."     

     In all his years of teaching, the only problem for Hardwicke
is leaving the courtroom in time to get to class. But, he has no
plans to give it up anytime soon. "Teaching may very well be the
most important thing I've done," Hardwicke states. "It's
particularly positive when I encounter former students now
successful in their professions."

     "I'm amazed he's been teaching so long--especially with his
schedule," says Terry Coburn, another student of Hardwicke's who
received her bachelor's degree in business in May. "Judge
Hardwicke inspired me so much I took a second business law class
he taught.  And, I gave him a nearly perfect evaluation."

     At 68, Hardwicke is not slowing down. "My six-year term in
office is nearly complete, but I've asked Gov. Glendenning to
reappoint me to my current position. I also have the option to
resume my law practice.

     "As for teaching," he says, "it's unthinkable for me at this
point not to be able to discuss law in a classroom setting
because I enjoy it so much. I plan to celebrate a 50th
anniversary of teaching at Hopkins."

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