Alumna Ethnie Jones, A&S ’83, Med ’87 (MD), a board-certified ophthalmologist at the Virginia Eye Institute, began her volunteer journey interviewing high school seniors applying for the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. She joined the Krieger Advisory Board in 2016, and was proud to have the opportunity to be a part of the Johns Hopkins recruitment process again, this time in recruiting new board members as a part of the membership committee.
Throughout those years, Ethnie’s participation has been motivated by seeing the board’s recommendations translated into action by the school, and she looks forward to continuing her relationship with her alma mater as an honorary board member in 2022.
I am an alumna of Johns Hopkins — class of 1983 undergrad in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, and class of 1987 at the School of Medicine. The experience and the education that I received at Johns Hopkins has provided a foundation for a very rewarding medical career, but it has also provided me with amazing opportunities beyond that. It is with gratitude that I contribute in some way to shaping the vision for the school’s future so that it may provide the same opportunities for other students.
I love the relationships that I have developed with my fellow board members, with the members of the Krieger school administration, and with the students that I have met along this journey. I particularly enjoy the mentor-mentee relationship and dialogue that I’ve developed with a young student, which is an opportunity that came through this board. I also love seeing the tremendous talent in the faculty and administration. It gives me joy to know that the school is in excellent hands.
Success in life, whether it be career success, economic success, success in your relationships and family, is always built on the guidance, examples, and inspiration of those who have influenced us along our life’s journey. As a college student, you are at a critical stage of your life where your future is being shaped by so many things. We don’t realize how valuable that college experience is until well beyond those college years.
As we look back, those of us who are fortunate enough to attend college recognize more and more how positive that experience has been in our lives. I believe that it is important that we do our best to make it a positive experience for those who follow us.
So many things: I wish they knew how strong the University is in fields other than medicine; how generous the school is in ensuring tuition coverage for every student based on their need; how much the school has advanced in its humanities departments and business school; how much Johns Hopkins contributes to the local public education; the educational opportunities that the university provides for its employees; and finally, the number of Hopkins graduates that are making a difference on the local, national, and global stage.
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Topics: Alumni, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, School of Medicine, Strengthening Partnerships, Support Scholars