December 8, 2003

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to report that the board of trustees today approved my
recommendation that Kumiki Gibson be appointed vice president and general
counsel of the university. Ms. Gibson will join Johns Hopkins on Feb. 1,
succeeding Estelle Fishbein, who has retired after an exceptional 28 years
with the university.

Ms. Gibson comes to us with a well-earned reputation as a bright and
articulate advocate, a strategic thinker, a talented manager and an
engaging colleague. She has been a partner since 1997 in the Washington law
firm of Williams & Connolly LLP, where she has specialized in managing and
litigating highly complex civil cases. Her appellate practice has included
representation of law school deans in support of the University of Michigan
law school's position in the recent Supreme Court affirmative action cases.

Before entering private practice, she worked in the White House for four
years, first as associate counsel and then as counsel to Vice President
Gore. She dealt with both legal and policy issues, heading, among other
important assignments, the Community Empowerment Board, which developed and implemented the Clinton administration's major urban policy initiative. She
also has served as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the
Justice Department. Kumiki is a 1985 graduate of Harvard University and earned her law degree in 1988 at Northeastern University.

Kumiki will have the pleasure of overseeing the fine group of attorneys and
staff that Estelle Fishbein recruited during her stellar tenure. Kumiki
will be an exceptional addition to the university community. I know you
will join me in welcoming her to Johns Hopkins.

I would like to add a personal note of thanks to Derek Savage, the
university's deputy general counsel, for serving as interim general counsel
in the period until Ms. Gibson's arrival. Derek's willingness to serve the
university in this important new way is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

William R. Brody