Endless Possibilities for Life-Changing Good

Edward St. John’s connection with the University of Maryland began in the late 1950s. As a student arriving at Maryland, Ed had his sights set on becoming a fighter pilot. During registration, he visited ROTC representatives to ask which degree would best prepare him. The answer was electrical engineering. “I enrolled in electrical engineering immediately,” he said. That decision set him on a trajectory that would shape his career for life.

After graduating in 1961, Ed built St. John Properties into one of the nation’s leading privately held commercial real estate firms. He credits his engineering education with teaching him how to approach and solve complex problems systematically. “First, you need to define the real problem, then determine what facts you know and apply what you know to solve the problem,” said Ed. He continues to apply these skills every day.

Decades after leaving College Park, Ed was approached by the University of Maryland requesting his support for a state-of-the-art learning and teaching center which resulted in the creation of the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center. He was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from his alma mater.

St. John’s association with the Clark School continued to grow. In 2025, he received the Glenn L. Martin Medal, the school’s highest honor, recognizing his leadership, service, and philanthropy. “It was incredibly meaningful and humbling,” he says. “It’s hard to imagine that someone who graduated with a 2.01 GPA would one day receive the Clark School’s highest award. When I first registered, I was told I needed a 2.0 GPA to pass, and that’s what I gave them.”

Jennifer St. John is a strong supporter of the University. She currently serves on the Board of Visitors for the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Her background as a former television journalist and Emmy Award–winning news anchor makes her an invaluable Board member in many respects.

Ed and Jennifer make education a central focus of their philanthropy through the Edward St. John Foundation. “We truly believe education has the power to transform lives and strengthen communities,” Ed stated. For the St. Johns, meaningful progress happens where disciplines intersect.

“We believe that bringing engineers and clinicians together can accelerate discovery and improve lives across Maryland and beyond.”

Their most recent joint gift established the Edward and Jennifer St. John Center for Translational Engineering and Medicine. The Center brings together engineers from the A. James Clark School with clinicians and researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. Its mission is ambitious: to translate engineering innovation into practical medical solutions that advance research, clinical care, and patient outcomes.

The St. John Center builds on that legacy by investing in faculty, students, and researchers working at the intersection of engineering and healthcare. Their gift establishes professorships and student awards, along with operating support.

“We’re incredibly excited about the collaboration,” said Ed. “We believe that bringing engineers and clinicians together can accelerate discovery and improve lives across Maryland and beyond.”

The Center is co-directed by Giuliano Scarcelli, professor in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering, and Dr. Osamah J. Saeedi, professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Their collaborative work using the latest ophthalmologic imaging to address ocular diseases exemplifies the Center’s mission.

The emphasis on translational work is especially meaningful to Ed, who has personally experienced the benefits of medical innovation. Following eye surgery that exceeded expectations, he gained a firsthand appreciation for how advances in technology and clinical practice can change outcomes. “I look forward to the discoveries that will take place in the Center, hoping one day, others can put away their glasses like I did,” said Ed.

The Edward and Jennifer St. John Center is one of only five such collaborations in the nation. “We hope it will become a model for how organizations can work together to advance health and wellness, accelerate discovery, and encourage new approaches to treatment,” said Jennifer.

Looking ahead, they see a Clark School that continues to grow in statewide impact and national stature. Ranked among the nation’s top public engineering programs, the school is well positioned to drive discoveries that enhance lives, attract industry, and strengthen Maryland’s economy.

Published March 13, 2026