Johns Hopkins
History
Johns Hopkins University, often referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1876, inspired by the educational models of German universities and named after its benefactor, Johns Hopkins, a 19th-century philanthropist, entrepreneur, and abolitionist.
Johns Hopkins was born in 1795 and amassed a significant fortune through his investments in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and other ventures. Upon his death in 1873, he left $7 million (approximately $147.5 million in today's dollars) to establish a hospital and university in Baltimore. This bequest was, at the time, the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the United States.
Academics
Johns Hopkins University is renowned for its programs in fields such as Public Health, Biomedical Engineering, International Relations, and Neuroscience. The university is organized into ten divisions—nine schools and the Applied Physics Laboratory. The schools are further divided into various departments and centers, each dedicated to specific areas of study or research.
The university's first research center, the Johns Hopkins Hospital, was opened in 1889. The hospital has since grown into one of the world's most prestigious medical centers. The School of Medicine, established in 1893, has been at the forefront of medical education and research in the United States.
Research and Innovation
Johns Hopkins University is a leading research institution, receiving more federal research and development funding than any other university in the United States. The university's research efforts are focused in areas such as Public Health, Medicine, Engineering, Education, and the Social Sciences.
The Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), a division of the university, conducts research and development primarily for national security and for various departments of the U.S. government. The APL has made significant contributions to space exploration and has been involved in numerous NASA missions.
Campus and Facilities
The Johns Hopkins University campus is located in the northern part of Baltimore, known as Charles Village. The campus features a mix of architectural styles, from the historic brick buildings of the original campus to the modern designs of recent additions.
The university's facilities include state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries, and research centers. The Milton S. Eisenhower Library, named after the university's eighth president, is the main library of Johns Hopkins University and serves as the academic hub of the campus.
Student Life
Johns Hopkins University has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 U.S. states and more than 120 countries. The university offers a wide range of student activities and organizations, including academic clubs, sports teams, and cultural societies.
The university's athletic teams, known as the Blue Jays, compete in the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference, but the men's and women's lacrosse teams compete in Division I. The Johns Hopkins Blue Jays men's lacrosse team is one of the most successful teams in the history of the sport.
Notable Alumni and Faculty
Johns Hopkins University has been associated with 39 Nobel laureates as alumni or faculty. Notable alumni include former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Russell Baker, and medical pioneer Vivien Thomas. Renowned faculty members have included psychologist John B. Watson, geneticist Barbara McClintock, and surgeon Alfred Blalock.