Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1960-10-29
TESTIMONIAL DINNER TO HONOR
HOWARD UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
EMERITUS MORDECAI JOHNSON
Ceremonies Set For November 21st In
Washington; Secy. F|emming Ia Speak
National Sponsoring Committee Includes
Leaders In Government And Religion

WASHINGTON, d. C.-Howard
University officials today an
nounced plans for a testimonial
dinner in honor of DR.. Mordecai
w. Johnson, who retired as presi-
dent of the University in June
following 81 years in office. The
dinner is scheduled for 8 pm.
Monday, November 21st at the
Sheraton Park Hotel.
Tickets for the dinner are priced
at $3.50, and may be purchased by
writing to the Johnson Testimonial
Dinner Committee, Howard Uni
versity, Washington 1, D. c. Ad-
ditional information may be OBJ
tanned by calling Dupont 7-6100,
extension 518.
A national committee of some
40 distinguished citizens was
named today by University offic-
ials to serve as co-sponsors with
the Howard board of trustees of
the dinner. Co-chairman of the
national committee are Mrs. Flea
nor Roosevelt of New York City
and Lorimer D. Milton of Atlanta.
Mr.. Milton is president of the Cit
liens Trust Company and chairman
of the board of trustees at How
ard.
Among the features of the din
ner program will be testimonial
remarks to DR.. Johnson by five
speakers. The group includes
Secretary of Health, Education,
and Welfare Arthur s. Flemming;
DR.. Benjamin E. Mays, president
of Morehouse College in Atlanta;
Eric Johnston, president Of the
Motion Picture Association Of Am
erica and chairman of the Com
mittee for International Economic
Growth; Harry I. Wood, president
of the University's General Alum
nj Association; and DR.. Herman
R. Branson, professor of physics
at Howard.
Howard President James M. Ma
brit, Jr. will present DR.. Johnson.
DR.. johnson, who is now presi-
dent emeritus of the University,
was appointed president of How
ard in 1926. He came to the Uni
versity from Charleston, w. Va.
where he had served as pastor of
the First Baptist Church. During
his 34-year tenure the University
experienced the greatest growth
and development in its 93-year his
tory.
At the time of DR.. Johnson's
appointment Howard consisted of
eight schools and colleges, only
one Of which was accredited; to-
day there are 10, all fully aecred-
tied. In 1926 there were some
200 teachers, less than 1000 stu
dents, an annual operating budget
of 100000, and a 81 million phys
ical plant. Today nearly TOO teach
ers serve $500 students; the an
nual budget exceeds So million;
and the value Of the physical plant
is $35 million.
DR.. johnson also is credited with
promoting the passage Of a sub
stantive law by Congress which
provides for an annual federal ap-
preparation for the operation Of
the University.
For his work, DR.. Johnson has
received innumerable citations, in
GLIDING honorary degrees from
nine universities.
The national committee for the
testimonial dinner includes repre-
sentatives Of government, business,
labor, religion and education. In
addition to Mrs. Roosevelt and Mr..
Milton, the groap includes:
Rufus B. Atwood, President,
Kentucky State College.
John Sherman Cooper, U. 8. Sem
ator, Kentucky.
Roger y. Baldwin, American
Civil Libefties Union.
LouiS &C. Cramton, Michigan