Atlanta, April 24, 2006—Morehouse College will honor one of its dedicated alumni on Monday, April 24 by dedicating the College’s technology tower in his honor. John. H. Hopps, Morehouse class of 1958, was an administrator, professor and scientist committed to enhancing scientific research on university and college campuses. His commitment to Morehouse is evidenced in his own professional and academic accomplishments. He returned to Morehouse in 1995 to join current President Walter E Massey, in enhancing the entire Morehouse community as well as the science department that meant so much to him.

“John’s love of science led him to become one of the most influential scientists in the nation with a breadth of interests and expertise that was extraordinary,” said Walter E. Massey, Morehouse College President. “He had a grounding in chemistry and mathematics, but he also became an expert in solid-state physics, materials science, laser physics and engineering, and nuclear reactor design and safety.”

From 1995 to 1999, Hopps served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and as Professor of Physics at Morehouse. During that time, he established the Andrew Young Center for International Affairs and the Brisbane Institute, and established interdisciplinary programs in neuroscience and telecommunications, all within the framework of a four-year liberal arts institutional structure.

Prior to joining Morehouse, Hopps served as Director of the Division of Materials Research at the National Science Foundation (1991-1995), through an IPA arrangement with the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory (MIT). At Draper, Dr. Hopps was a Principal Member of the Technical Staff and served as Chief of Photonics Technology.

After leaving Morehouse College, he served the nation as the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Laboratories and Basic Sciences. In this capacity, he provided oversight for the Defense Laboratories, improvement of the Defense Laboratory science and engineering workforce, and direction of DDR&E university-based basic research, instrumentation, graduate fellowship and education programs in the science and engineering disciplines

What: DEDICATION CEREMONY
TIME: 11:00-11:45 A.M.
WHERE: MERRILL HALL (ON THE GREEN OF THE MOREHOUSE COLLEGE CAMPUS)

Completed in May 2002, the Technology Tower links Merrill and Hope Halls and provides for classroom and office space for the departments of computer science and telecommunications. In addition, to departmental computer labs, the facility houses an electronic classroom used for staff and faculty training. The department of information technology is also housed in this facility.

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