A CONVERSATION WITH BRO. DR. GERALD L. ROBERTS WEATHERSPOON Bro. Roberts Weatherspoon is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and the Associate Chairman for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at George Mason University. He first came to the University in 1996 after two years at Lucent Technologies. He graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from Jackson State University in 1985, and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of California-Davis in 1994. Dr. Roberts Weatherspoon is currently the only African-American tenured faculty member in the College of Science at the University. Our Cause staff writer Bro. J. Artel Smith (Northern, VA Area Deputy Director) had an opportunity to sit down with Dr. Roberts Weatherspoon and to reflect on his time at George Mason University. OUR CAUSE (OC): Where and when did you become a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.? Dr. Roberts Weatherspoon (DRW): I became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated through Alpha Beta chapter at Jackson State University in March of 1982. OC: Why Phi Beta Sigma? DRW: The constitutional linkage between Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta appealed to my ideals of what an extended family and community should reflect. The Sigmas on JSU’s campus were very active on campus and in the community and carried themselves with respect and were leaders in campus organizations. Prior to graduating from high school, I had participated in the Health Sciences Summer Program at Tougaloo College and met members of the Blue and White family that were actively tutoring and teaching in the program (math, physics and engineering majors). OC: How did it feel to become the first Black tenured professor at George Mason University in the College of Science? DRW: At the time that I was granted tenure (2002) my department was still a part of the College of Arts & Sciences and there were three (3) Blacks granted tenure at the university that year, however I was the only one in science and engineering. The enormity of the accomplishment did not hit me until Earl Ingraham, former Director of the Equity Office, summoned me to his office for a reality check approximately two weeks prior to me receiving the official letter granting tenure from the Provost’s office. It was during that meeting that the veil was peeled back and I realized that I had accomplished something that my forefathers had prayed for generations ago. OC: Were you expecting to be appointed the Associate Chairman of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry? How does it feel now that you have been appointed? DRW: I was not expecting to be appointed as the Associate Chairman of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry because there were others nominated who were equally qualified. I am the only African American (Black) in the department and one never knows how the vote will go when you are running against the majority for such a position. Now that I have been appointed to the position, I feel an even greater sense of accomplishment; not only for me, but especially for those that I can help by me being in this position.
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