81: To Be a Holmes Scholar: A Critical Examination of the Process and Development of One African American Woman

On January 27, 2000, I began a speech before an audience of Holmes Scholars with the following words:

In that speech, I was looking back to examine my development as a scholar. Part of that development had been as a Holmes Scholar. During the speech, I went on to speak about defining myself within the academy, as Anna Julia Cooper (Lemert & Bahn, 1998) had done, as both Black and female. From there, I spoke of how I became a Holmes Scholar and what it means to be a Holmes Scholar. Next, I spoke of my research agenda; and, lastly, I admonished the audience to develop their scholarship, and above all else complete their PhD.