As international parents, Pierre Herbst and his wife Yvonne faced a steep learning curve when it came time to send their first child, Kameka, to college. The Herbst family resides in Hong Kong, but Kameka set her eye on Hopkins, thanks to its film program, flexible degree options, and its academic reputation. “We were unable to visit the campus before Kameka had to decide on which university she would attend,” Pierre says. “Consequently, Kameka’s choice was based purely on information she obtained from websites, books, written reviews, and word of mouth.”

While Pierre and Yvonne supported Kameka’s decision, regardless of the distance, there were several challenges—or “learning opportunities,” as Pierre prefers to call them—to overcome, including visas, travel logistics, and mobile phone provider sign-up. “The way things are done in the U.S. can be different from other countries, even basic things such as how to get a cab,” Pierre explains. “We were sure to start the process as early as possible, pretty much the minute after Kameka accepted the offer from Hopkins.”

After a series of community discussions, consultations with experts, and studying research and best practices about public safety and university policing, Johns Hopkins has decided to once again seek legislation in the Maryland General Assembly that would authorize the university to create a small, publicly-accountable university police department to improve the public safety and security situation on and around our Baltimore campuses.

Starting in September 2018, the Department of Athletics and Recreation began offering group fitness and wellbeing classes to all full-time undergraduates and graduates on the Homewood and Peabody campuses at no additional cost! Previously, students paid for access to classes like yoga, Spinning®, Pilates, Zumba, and kickboxing. "Fall 2018 had the largest attendance on record,” says Assistant Director for Fitness, Jackie Lebeau. “This increased accessibility to our classes would not have been possible without the support of the Hopkins Parents Fund!"

The Office of Multicultural Affairs is excited to commemorate and celebrate black heritage this spring semester. We have launched our #Heritage365 campaign, which celebrates and recognizes each nationally-designated heritage month with a year-long format. Black Heritage Celebration kicked off at the beginning of the academic year with various offerings of engagement and will continue during the month of February and the rest of the semester. The theme is “Ubuntu: I Am Because You Are.” The theme is derived from two quotes:

Nelson Mandela: “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

James Baldwin: “You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.”

We look forward to weaving the theme throughout events and programs during the month and throughout the semester.

Is your student looking for an internship or updating their high school resume, but says they don’t have time to visit the Career Center or even a Career Coach on Campus? Starting January 31, they can drop by to see a Career Coach (Andrea Wiseman) at the Wolman Residence Life office on Thursdays, from 2–4 p.m. for quick 10-minute help. No appointment needed. First-come, first-served.

Career Coach on Campus additional hours are:

Opened in 2002, the Ralph S. O’Connor Recreation Center serves as the main location for fitness opportunities and recreational activities for Homewood and Peabody students. “Despite several major improvements over the past 17 years, the fact of the matter is that we have outgrown our space,” says Bill Harrington, Director of Recreation. “The 2021 expansion will add 25,000 square feet of new and renovated space and will serve as a social and wellness hub for the Hopkins community.”

The university-wide Commencement ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 23, at 1:30 p.m. See the schedule of events for additional Commencement-related events.

Make sure your graduate orders their cap and gown and marks their calendar for the Grad Fair, April 11–13. Reference the Undergraduate Checklist for details.

Book your hotel. The Visitor Information page has links to hotels near the arena, plus more information and suggestions to help you celebrate your graduate’s moment.                       

Please note there is an afternoon Orioles vs. Yankees baseball game on May 23.

Stay informed via the Commencement website. Follow us on Facebook, too. Questions? Email or call us at 410-516-7711.

Keeping tradition alive on the Homewood campus, the annual Commemoration Day Ball will be held on Friday evening, February 22. 2019. This event will bring Blue Jays together dressed up in their finest blue and black to celebrate the founding of Johns Hopkins University 143 years ago! This event is proudly supported by the Hopkins Parents Fund.

Class of 2022 Blue Jays will enjoy the annual First-Year Banquet coming together with one another and their inspiring faculty for this 10-year tradition on Tuesday, February 26. The evening will be full of time-honored dining traditions borrowed from Oxford and Cambridge bringing first-year students, faculty, and administrators together to interact outside the classroom. Another anticipated event sponsored by the Hopkins Parents Fund!

Your support goes a long way to help make these anticipated traditional possible. Thank you! Make a gift today.

Calling all hosts! Interested in helping us bring together Blue Jay families in key market locations? Let us know if you’d like to learn more about hosting an Accepted Student Reception or summer Send-Off Party in your home, club or office space. Please contact Margie Carney, Parents Programs and Giving, at mcarney5@jhu.edu.