MEET THE PRESIDENT

The District Conference elected George E. Holmes, Ph. D. as its first president who will serve in the interim until regular elections are held next fall. George was elected as president, in part, in recognition of the leadership he provided in forming the District Conference. George Holmes is an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology of the College of Medicine at Howard University. George received his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in 1973. Before coming to Howard University in 1974, he spent a year at Rockefeller University as a Research Associate. He has had an active and productive research career at Howard University in molecular genetics.

Dr. Holmes is a leader of integrity who seeks justice and equality for mankind. In the late 1950s, he was secretary, treasurer and one of five leaders, actively involved in the sit-in demonstrations to integrate East Texas. As he pursued his professional career, he was the first black student at both the School of Medical Technology at DePaul Hospital in St. Louis and in the Department of Microbiology of the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson. While working for his doctoral degree, he facilitated the admission of the first black student into the medical class at the University of Arizona. Recently, George organized and chaired the Howard University/University of the District of Columbia Coalition Committee which wrote a timely report that was instrumental in saving UDC as a comprehensive, four-year college. Without UDC, many poor folks in the District would not have access to the opportunities provided by higher education.

George has been the energetic president of Howard's Chapter of the AAUP since 1995. As described in Chapter News about Howard University in this paper, he has been a central mover in preserving the soul and integrity of Howard University for present and future generations. Efforts to build a world class university at Howard will be achieved on the foundation provided by the principles and standards of the AAUP promoted by its local chapter and leaders such as George.

George has built a reputation as one who will not transgress for "a piece of bread." As such, he has been the main force in empowering the Faculty Grievance Commission at Howard, first at the medical school and later at the university as a whole. The Commission provides an internal conflict resolution mechanism by which grievances can be resolved equitably and fairly. After years of long and painful struggles, it appears that the administration, as well as the faculty, is beginning to solicit the commission to settle disputes. By following established rules and procedures, the university is saving millions of dollars in unnecessary legal costs for dealing with incidents of arbitrary and capricious conduct by its administrators. With this newly added secure layer of protection, the faculty are facilitated in advancing their professional careers at Howard University.