Johnnie Mouning Scholarship Memorial Fund

Johnnie Mouning was born July 3, 1938 in Greenville, North Carolina. He and his wife Thelma moved to New Haven in the late 1950s. Johnnie began his career at Yale University on August 17, 1959 and for nearly a half century, he devoted himself to supporting research activities in the Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry.

Johnnie Mouning, a long-time employee of Yale University's Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry department, was considered the "heart and soul" of the department since its founding in the mid 1960s.

During his years with the Prof. Frederic M. Richards' structural biology research group, Johnnie made himself indispensable to the faculty, students, and staff in the department. Whether he was washing glassware, developing photographs in the darkroom, setting up lab equipment, or performing a myriad number of support tasks, Johnnie always seemed to be there for those who needed something done well and done quickly.

While Johnnie and his wife Thelma raised four sons (Marvin, Gregory, Jeffrey and Kenneth), Johnnie managed to make the time to earn his bachelor's degree in computer science from Quinnipiac University, to start his own consulting business, and to travel extensively with Thelma throughout the United States, Africa, Europe, South America, and Asia. Often the Mouning travels would include visits with former graduate students and postdocs in the department who never forgot how much Johnnie had helped them in the early stages of their careers.

During his work at Yale University, Johnnie attended Yale Divinity School and became a minister. In 2000, he established and became Pastor of the Effectual Prayer Word Ministries (EPWM) in North Branford, CT. During his many years in ministry, Johnnie spent countless hours praying and counseling his parishioners. He also gave his time and resources to help those in need.

Johnnie's passing on September 18, 2007 marked the end of an era in the department and inspired current and former members to establish a scholarship fund at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven in his memory. Donations to the Fund provide financial support for book and other educational materials to graduating high school seniors intending to major in science at a 4-year college.