April 13, 2015

Approximately 150 people gathered at the University of Chicago on February 21 to honor the life of a medical and research pioneer, Dr. Julian H. Lewis.  Lewis was Sigma Xi’s first African American member. He was inducted into the Society in 1913 by the University of Chicago Chapter. This was one of many “firsts” for Lewis. In 1915, he became the first African American to earn a PhD in physiology/pathology at the University of Chicago. Then in 1917, he became the first African American to join the university’s faculty. 

Speakers discussed Lewis and his work, which included his book The Biology of the Negro (1942). In this book, Lewis stated that there is no evidence that African Americans are biologically inferior to other groups in the human race. Lewis’s work was cited by Gunnar Mydral in An American Dilemma: The Negro Problem and Modern Democracy, a work that was cited in the Brown v. the Board of Education decision that said racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. 

Lewis has also been noted for being a mentor to African American University of Chicago students and faculty members. 

A portrait of Lewis was unveiled that will be featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. The museum is scheduled to open next year. Members of his family were also recognized. 

One of Sigma Xi’s past presidents, Dr. Joseph A. Whittaker, attended to represent the Society. Lewis deserves recognition, Whittaker said, not only for his science but the quality of his work and the impact he had. Whittaker noted that Lewis was active in sending medical aid to other countries. 

“This was an era of segregation but this guy was able to navigate working in a predominantly white institution as a minority and still was able to perform at top level,” said Whittaker. 

What is surprising today, Whittaker added, is that we are still having the discussion about underrepresented minorities in society. Rather than shy away from it, it’s time for the issues to be addressed. 

“The challenges underrepresented minorities face in the sciences still is a major issue in this country,” he said. “I think people need to start looking at some of the policies and practices and inherent biases that still exist, not just personally but within organizations and systems and start thinking proactively about how to effectively address them.”

A role exists for professional societies, such as Sigma Xi, and federal funding agencies in this process, he said. However, they rely heavily on academic institutions. Those institutions can improve on the way they engage young people coming out of high school to give them tools to succeed during college.

“It always comes down to leadership: Do you have the right leaders who are willing to step out and get out of the box?” said Whittaker.

The event about Lewis was sponsored by the Robbins Historical Society and Museum. Co-sponsors were the University of Chicago Civic Knowledge Project, the Office of Campus and Student Life, Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and University of Chicago Black Alumni. 

Top photo: Dr. Julian Lewis (Image courtesy of University of Chicago Office of Events Planning.)
Bottom photo: Dr. Joseph A. Whittaker