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Letter from President Hockfield on the death of Howard Johnson

Howard W. Johnson, former MIT president, died on Saturday, Dec. 12.
Caption:
Howard W. Johnson, former MIT president, died on Saturday, Dec. 12.

Dear members of the MIT community,

With the death last Saturday of Howard Johnson, MIT's president from 1966 to 1971, the Institute has lost an extraordinary leader, and a devoted advisor and friend. Howard Johnson's presidency coincided with a period of unprecedented upheaval on college campuses across the country.  With empathy, optimism and unwavering confidence in the core values of MIT, President Johnson guided the Institute through the profound political storms of the period. As his obituary conveys, he was both a strikingly effective leader and a deeply wise human being.

In his memory, the flags in Killian Court have been lowered to half-staff. In the coming months, a memorial service will publicly honor the life and accomplishments of this great servant to MIT.

I know you join me extending our deepest sympathies to the Johnson family.

Sincerely,

Susan Hockfield
President, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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