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BIG MAN ON CAMPUS

The president of Johns Hopkins University reveals what he loves about Baltimore, from culture and food to the great outdoors.

When not running one of America’s finest institutions of higher education, Dr. William Brody, president of Johns Hopkins University, enjoys going for a nice, long bike ride. He can often be seen cruising along the scenic paths and trails that meander through the historic neighborhoods and nearby environs of Baltimore, Maryland.

A California native, Brody moved to Baltimore in 1987 to teach electrical, computer and biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins. He also served as director of the university’s Department of Radiology and was radiologist-inchief of the Johns Hopkins Hospital until 1994. Prior to that, he held similar positions at Stanford University, and was a co-founder of three medical device companies. Following a stint as provost at the Academic Health Center at the University of Minnesota, Brody became the 13th president of Johns Hopkins in 1996.

Today, Brody remains captivated by the charms of his adopted city of Baltimore, which he says more than holds its own against bigger East Coast metropolises.

Chamber of Wonders at The Walters Art Museum How would you describe Baltimore to someone who has never visited?

“Baltimore is one of the most unique cities in the United States. It’s a wonderful collection and assortment of historic neighborhoods, culture and charm… that is becoming much younger and vibrant. It is a city that has, in the last 15 to 20 years, undergone a dramatic transformation. For years, people were moving out of the city. Now, Inner Harbor and its surrounding neighborhoods, some of which are 200 years old with historic houses, are really quite an attraction—particularly for younger people. But many people are moving out of the big glorious estates and farms and coming back to the city.”

Do you have a favorite place to visit in the summertime?

“It’s a whole lot of fun to go to a ballgame at Camden Yards [home of the Baltimore Orioles] (www.orioles.mlb.com), which is a great stadium. It’s right in the city, great views. It’s a terrific experience. If you’re a sailor—which I used to be, but I don’t have time for anymore— or a windsurfer, you can go 30 minutes out of town and be at the water. I typically bicycle along a wonderful path from just outside of Baltimore to Annapolis. It’s completely paved, so it’s off the road and there’s no traffic, and it goes through beautiful neighborhoods all the way to Annapolis. If you’re into serious mountain biking, there are some beautiful parks with quite challenging trails.”

Inner Harbor Do you have a favorite restaurant that you recommend to out-of-towners?

“In my job, I’m mostly entertaining or going to big dinners, so I don’t get out much. But when I do, I love to go to The Black Olive (www.theblackolive.com). It’s a small restaurant in Fells Point, which is one of the old harbor areas with cobblestone streets. It’s authentic Greek-Mediterranean cuisine: very, very fresh fish, simply cooked. It’s a delightful place.”

Describe Johns Hopkins’ relationship to Baltimore and how you see that relationship evolving.

“In terms of dollar volume of federal grants, we’re the largest research university in America. We also happen to be the largest non-government employer in the city and the state. Mr. Hopkins’ will specified that the hospital, for which he left the money, would take care of the citizens of Baltimore, irrespective of their ability to pay. So we’ve had this long commitment to serve Baltimore, which pervades the university.”

What other cultural attractions does Baltimore have to offer?

“If my wife were here, she would say, ‘Don’t forget The Walters Art Museum (www.thewalters.org) and the Baltimore Museum of Art (www.artbma.org).’ The Baltimore Museum of Art is on our Homewood campus. It has a fabulous Impressionist collection. And The Walters… at the time Henry Walters gave the gift to the city of Baltimore—it was his father’s and his personal collection—it was the largest single gift of art in America, and still may be. And then we have the Peabody Conservatory (www.peabody.jhu.edu), which hosts wonderful concerts, as well as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (www.baltimoresymphony.org).” —Neal Learner