| Cecil's Legacy |
1 December 2003
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Julia James -- Rhodes Scholar and Then Some
Rhodes Scholars are an admirable bunch by definition. Not just clever, they actually have to have outside interests, as per the legacy of Cecil Rhodes, the Englishman who set the scholarships up 100 years ago. This year, though, one young lady stands out -- Julia James of Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York State.
Female, black and orphaned at 11 is not the most promising way of starting life in America. Yet, Ms. James, who was raised by relatives in East Flatbush, New York, has distinguished herself in the field of HIV/AIDS research. She intends to follow the D.Phil. course at Oxford in immunology. Her undergraduate work uses computer models to examine the efficacy of drugs in HIV treatment in order to improve them. She won the Barry M. Goldwater award as well as the American Chemical Society Scholars Award in 2001, 2002 and 2003. One feels inferior, and rightly so.
When Cecil Rhodes established the scholarships that bear his name, it was his intention to bring the finest minds to England and let them study free of charge. During that time, they would absorb those values and attitudes that he believed made the British Empire a moral force in history. By doing so, he hoped to create a class of English-educated elites who would help Britannia rule. History had different ideas.
A Rhodes Scholarship, however, remains a mark of distinction. Regardless of his behavior in the Oval Office, Mr. Clinton did enjoy that accolade. In the case of Ms. James, one suspects that she will always bear a certain pride in her heart at being selected. However, it would seem that the real honor goes to the Rhodes Scholarship program, for being associated with her. One only hopes she can find a decent place to eat in Oxford.
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