Classmates and friends of Ross Jones, a close aide to six presidents of the Johns Hopkins University, are giving more than $2 million in his honor to build a wing of a new student arts center on the Homewood campus, university officials said last night.

Jones, a 1953 alumnus, is retiring as vice president after 37 years with the university. He learned of the gift at a dinner given for him by the school's board of trustees.

Jones told the group of about 150 trustees and administrators that he was deeply moved.

"It's very hard to believe," Jones said. "I thank you for this tremendous tribute and one that goes on forever. I'm deeply touched."

Friends said the honor is well deserved.

"It's a tribute not only to the contribution that he's made, but it's directed at an area where he has had extraordinary interest -- student activities," said Andrew J. Bozzelli, a trustee and classmate who helped organize the gift campaign. "We wanted to recognize both an extraordinary personal friendship and his long, distinguished association with Hopkins."

The money pledged on Jones' behalf by nearly 100 individuals brings to $14.5 million the total raised for the arts center, which has a projected cost of $17 million.

Construction is to begin this fall. The center will face Charles Street near 33rd Street. The easternmost of three connected buildings is to be named for Jones. It will house offices for student groups and publications, music practice rooms and space for visual arts.

In addition to assisting the university president, Jones served as secretary to the board of trustees and ran alumni, public relations and fund-raising operations.

Pub Date: 6/09/98