John D. Opie

Dr. John D. Opie had a long and successful career with General Electric Company, retiring in 2000 after 39 years as the Vice Chairman and Executive Director. John had a rich career at GE; prior to his Vice Chairman position, John rose from Sales Representative to Sales Manager, to General Manager positions in Mining Products, Battery, and Lexan Products Divisions; to Vice Presidencies in Specialty Plastics and Construction Equipment Operations; and to President and CEO of the GE Lighting Division prior to the Vice Chairman position. John and his wife Ruanne have been passionate and generous supporters of the university through several substantial gifts, including the J. Robert Van Pelt and Opie Library, the Ruanne and John Opie Material Science and Engineering equipment endowment, and the Center for Integrated Learning and Information Technology. He is also a passionate fan of fan and financial supporter of Michigan Tech athletics—especially hockey. In 2004, he gave $250,000 to the Hockey Enrichment Campaign, which helped raised $2.6 million for the hockey program. In 2008, he committed a $1 million gift for the Hockey Arena Renovation Project. Opie is a lifetime member of the Huskies Club and a member of the Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame.

John received Honorary Doctorates in Business (2001) and Engineering (1987) at Michigan Tech. He received the Michigan Tech Silver Medal in 1984, and the Melvin Calvin Award in 2017. He received the 1992 Distinguished Alumni Award, and was inducted into the Academy of Metallurgical and Materials Engineers in its inaugural class of 1996.

Opie Receives Melvin Calvin Medal

Building Dedications Friday

Opie Gives $250,000 to Hockey Campaign

>GE Executive Will Speak at MTU's Commencement

GE Exec Gives Major Gift to Michigan Tech