Johns Hopkins . . . However you spell it, this is a great university!
Unquestionably one of America’s great universities, Johns Hopkins is one of few prestigious institutions of higher learning that hasn’t lost its public sense of humor. Obviously the easiest target is the school’s unusual name. Johns Hopkins was founded in 1873 with a gift of $7 million from philanthropist Johns Hopkins. At the time, it was the single largest charitable donation in the history of the United States!
The founder’s name, which was adopted as the name of the university, was an amalgamation of his grandmother’s name, Margaret Johns, and his grandfather’s name, Gerard Hopkins. The school opened its doors to students in 1876 and confusion and good humor has followed the school’s name ever since.
Milton Eisenhower, a world famous educator and brother of then US President Dwight Eisenhower, served as President of Johns Hopkins from 1956 until 1967. During this time he was selected to speak at a meeting which was being held in Pittsburgh. After being introduced as the president of John Hopkins University, Eisenhower turned to the audience and expressed that he was “glad to be here in Pittburgh”.
In the most famous commentary on the unusual spelling, Johns Hopkins honorary degree recipient Mark Twain wrote to the administration. He explained that he didn’t think he could contribute much to the matters of education but offered to help in the more practical business side of the university because “the public is sensitive to little things, and they wouldn't have full confidence in a college that didn't know how to spell the name John”.
Perhaps the best indicator of a great university’s success can be found away from the “real world”. How often does the school show up in fiction and pop culture? For Johns Hopkins the answer is . . . constantly. It sometimes seems as if every fictional medical expert is a Johns Hopkins graduate. Consider that Dr. Burke from “Grey’s Anatomy” is a Hopkins alum. The lead character from “House”, Dr. House attended Johns Hopkins but was thrown out. Even Dr. Hibbert from “The Simpsons” is allegedly a Hopkins grad.
Featuring one of the world’s largest university endowments, this Baltimore based powerhouse should be at the very top of the list for many outstanding high school seniors.
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