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The newspaper of The Johns Hopkins University January 5, 2004 | Vol. 33 No. 16
 
Remembering Mr. Hopkins

A graveside gathering marks the anniversary of Johns Hopkins' death.
PHOTO BY HPS/JAY VANRENSSELAER

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

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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