Dedications

	John and Ruanne Opie Library John and Ruanne Opie donated $5 million for the new library facility. John graduated from Michigan Tech in 1961 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He joined General Electric Company after graduation and quickly advanced in the company. He went on to become national sales manager; general manager for three business groups; vice president of three operations; president and chief executive officer of GE Lighting; and, in 1995, vice chairman of the board and executive officer of the parent company, serving until his retirement in 2000. The Opies are long-standing supporters of Michigan Tech. John served as vice chair of the Century II Campaign in the mid-1980s; he also is a life trustee of the Michigan Tech Fund, having served for thirteen years on that board, including two as president. He received the Board of Control Silver Medal in 1984; the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1992; and became a member of the Academy of Metallurgical and Materials Engineers in 1996. John Opie was Tech’s commencement speaker in 1987, when he received an honorary Doctor of Engineering Degree, and again in 2000, when he received an honorary Doctor of Business Degree. Dedications ATDC Rekhi Hall News Release
The J.R. Van Pelt Library was built in 1966. The structure is named after Tech’s fifth president. The Van Pelt Library contains 80,000 square feet. The John and Ruanne Opie Library adds 54,000 square feet, of which 13,400 square feet comprise the imposing study area. The new library is all “student space,” highlighted by the facility’s electronic services, including twenty-seven public computers, wireless computer access, and a digital studio that allows students and faculty to integrate information from print, the Internet, sound recordings, or video into their work. “It always feels good to make a contribution that is helpful and appreciated.” —John Opie, Class of 1961

John and Ruanne Opie donated $5 million for the new library facility.

John graduated from Michigan Tech in 1961 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Metallurgical Engineering.

He joined General Electric Company after graduation and quickly advanced in the company. He went on to become national sales manager; general manager for three business groups; vice president of three operations; president and chief executive officer of GE Lighting; and, in 1995, vice chairman of the board and executive officer of the parent company, serving until his retirement in 2000.

The Opies are long-standing supporters of Michigan Tech. John served as vice chair of the Century II Campaign in the mid-1980s; he also is a life trustee of the Michigan Tech Fund, having served for thirteen years on that board, including two as president. He received the Board of Control Silver Medal in 1984; the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1992; and
became a member of the Academy of Metallurgical and Materials Engineers in 1996.
John Opie was Tech’s commencement speaker in 1987, when he received an honorary Doctor of Engineering Degree, and again in 2000, when he received an honorary Doctor of Business Degree.

The J.R. Van Pelt Library was built in 1966. The structure is named after Tech’s fifth president.

The Van Pelt Library contains 80,000 square feet. The John and Ruanne Opie Library adds 54,000 square feet, of which 13,400 square feet comprise the imposing study area. The new library is all “student space,” highlighted by the facility’s electronic services, including twenty-seven public computers, wireless computer access, and a digital studio that allows students and faculty to integrate information from print, the Internet, sound recordings, or video into their work.

“It always feels good to
make a contribution that is helpful and appreciated.”
—John Opie, Class of 1961

John and Ruanne Opie Library

John and Ruanne Opie donated $5 million for the new library facility.

John graduated from Michigan Tech in 1961 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Metallurgical Engineering.

Dedications

ATDC

Rekhi Hall

News Release