Dr. Jesse E. Hopkins Jr. ’70, Professor of Music, Emeritus, died March 21, 2026. He was 77.
Born in Pulaski, Va., Hopkins earned a B.S. in music education in 1970 from Bridgewater College, followed by a master’s in music education in 1976 from James Madison University and an Ed.D. in choral music education in 1991 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was a music teacher and choral director at Turner Ashby High School from 1970-1977.
The legendary choral teacher’s 35-year career in music at Bridgewater College began in 1977 as Instructor of Music and Director of Choral Music. Hopkins directed Bridgewater’s choirs for the entirety of his career, leading annual regional tours and international tours to Poland, Germany, Austria, France, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and China. He also served as chair of the Department of Music from 1997 until his retirement in 2012. Named Edwin L. Turner Distinguished Professor of Music in 1999, he received the Martha B. Thornton Faculty Recognition Award from the College in 2001.
From 1974 until 2008, he also served as choir director at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Alice Lee Hopkins.
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