GE Executive Will Speak at MTU's Commencement
HOUGHTON, MI--John D. Opie,
retired vice chairman and executive officer of General Electric Company
in Weston, CT, will address 836 graduates at Michigan Technological University's
spring commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 12, at 10:30 a.m. in the
SDC Ice Arena.
Opie graduated from Michigan
Tech in 1961 with a B.S. in metallurgical engineering. During his years
at MTU, he was an honor student, was active in several student organizations,
and played intramural sports. He joined General Electric after graduation
and stayed with the company throughout his professional career.
He began his career as a development
engineer at GE's Magnetic Materials Section in Edmore, Michigan. After
that he quickly advanced through the company's marketing and manufacturing
training program, working in sales in both Detroit and Chicago. Up until
his retirement, Opie held several managerial positions and was promoted
to vice president within many GE departments and divisions across the
country.
Opie has had extensive university
involvement as an alumnus. He served as vice chair of MTU's 1983-87 Century
II capital campaign, as trustee of the Michigan Tech Fund for 13 years,
and as Fund President for two years. He has received the MTU Board of
Control Silver Medal and has been named a distinguished alumnus.
In 1999, Opie and his wife
Ruanne donated $5 million to the University's Leaders for Innovation campaign.
His gift is one of the largest ever received by the University from individual
donors.
Opie will receive an honorary
Doctorate of Business degree during the spring commencement ceremonies.
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05/01/01-MTN026
