Emory Report

June 12, 2000

Volume 52, No. 35

Passings Two retired members of the Emory family passed away recently. Former Emory President Sidney Walter Martin died June 2 at the age of 89. The University's fourth president, Dr. Martin led Emory from 1957 to 1962 after spending 22 years as a professor of history and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia. During his presidency, Emory's first 12 Candler Professors were named. After leaving Emory, Dr. Martin served as vice chancellor of the University System of Georgia from 1962 to 1966 and president of Valdosta State University from 1966 until his retirement in 1978. "He was one of the most distinguished educators in the history of the state of Georgia," said Hugh Bailey, who succeeded Dr. Martin as president of Valdosta State. Alex Johnson, who was public safety director for 17 years, died May 12. Mr. Johnson came to Emory in 1968 after he retired as a lieutenant colonel with a distinguished background in military intelligence. While at Emory, Mr. Johnson helped to found the Georgia Association of Campus Law Enforcement Officers and served as its first president. After he retired from Emory in 1985, Mr. Johnson served on the board of advisors at Mars Hill College, his alma mater. He also headed the Air Force ROTC at Georgia Tech. He was 80. Return to June 12, 2000 contents page