Johns Hopkins University oral history collection

This collection is comprised of oral histories recorded with administration, faculty, staff, alumni, and other Johns Hopkins University affiliates, 1999-2004 and 2014-present. Interviews were conducted by Mame Warren during 1999 in conjunction with other research for the 125th anniversary volume Johns Hopkins: Knowledge for the World. Warren conducted additional interviews with administrators from 2002-2004 that were also added to the collection. Beginning in 2014, audio and video oral history interviews of Hopkins faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni are being conducted under the auspices of the Hopkins Retrospective program.


This collection contains a number of restricted interviews, which are not available online or in physical form until their restriction period has expired. See the collection finding aid for more information.


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    Oral history of E.R.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2023-03-13) E.R.
    “E.R.,” a member of the class of 2023, talks with Kristen Diehl about her Cuban heritage, including her parents’ journey as political refugees from Cuba to the United States in 1993 and growing up in Kendall, Florida. She describes her academic experience as a neuroscience and math double-major, including research and clinical jobs, studying abroad in Spain, and working as a TA for both math and neuroscience faculty. In addition to academics, E.R. shares her participation in campus activities, including working as the Blue Jay mascot at campus events and her involvement with the Catholic community at Hopkins. E.R. goes on to describe her goal of attending medical school and facilitating greater access to healthcare in the Latino community.
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    Oral history of S.P.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2023-03-17) S.P.; Diehl, Kristen
    “S.P.,” a member of the class of 2023, talks with Kristen Diehl about growing up in Spanish Town, Jamaica, and her decision to attend college in the United States. She shares her early interest in medicine, her experience majoring in molecular and cellular biology, and how her career interests have expanded while attending Hopkins. She also discusses her involvement in student organizations, such as International Students at Hopkins, the Black Student Union, and Hopkins Sports Taekwondo. In addition to student groups, she describes numerous jobs and internships she's had while at Hopkins. S.P. also shares her experience adjusting from her community in Jamaica, a predominantly Black country, to living in the United States as a minority and the reality of racism on campus.
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    Oral history of L.A.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2023-04-04) L.A.; Seyler, Allison
    "L.A." is a member of the Johns Hopkins University graduating class of 2023. In this interview with Allison Seyler, she shares the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on her undergraduate experience. She describes where she was born, her childhood, her parents' immigration from Morocco and their careers in the United States. L.A. speaks about her Muslim identity, the geographic makeup of the town she moved to in Virginia, and the disinvestment she saw in education, particularly for people of color. In the interview, she speaks about becoming a community organizer, adjustments she made living life in Baltimore, and she elaborates on what it's like to be a FLI-first-generation college student at Hopkins. She highlights programs, professors, and courses that had profound impacts on her experience, specifically noting the importance of embracing Baltimore as your community while a student at JHU. L.A. describes her study abroad adventures and highlights a moment her mom was able to visit her in Italy. She shares insights on funding issues FLI-first-gen students face, as well as the realities of students in the same programs with very different socio-economic backgrounds. Lastly, she details what's in store for her future after Hopkins.
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    Oral History of J.S.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2023-03-23) J.S.; Beckman, Elizabeth
    “JS,” a member of the class of 2023, talks with Liz Beckman about her experiences growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada, her high school education, and her decision to pursue global studies and medicine at Johns Hopkins University. She goes on to discuss her studies of hematology, sickle cell disease, and her study abroad experience in Bahia, Brazil. She also discusses her time as a student leader and activist, her involvement in the Baltimore community, and the systemic issues perpetuated by Hopkins that negatively impact FLI students.
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    Oral History of Frances Ferguson
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2023-04-04) Ferguson, Frances; Seyler, Allison
    Dr. Frances Ferguson, most recently the Mabel Greene Myers Distinguished Service Professor has taught at the Johns Hopkins University, the University of California-Berkeley, and the University of Chicago. Dr. Ferguson works on eighteenth and nineteenth century literature and literary theory. In this oral history interview, she speaks about her childhood, education, and teaching career. Frances discusses attending Wellesley College and its impact on her development as a feminist. She also speaks to her experiences at Yale, where she entered in the fall of 1969, when coeducation was new to the institution. She talks about her PhD program, the ensuing job search, and then being hired in 1973 at Johns Hopkins as the first woman faculty member in the English Department. Dr. Ferguson reflects on different moments in her career - opportunities to learn from and work with other scholars, her dedication to editorial work, service on a variety of committees (including a search for JHU President, Bill Brody), and how she has learned from her students. In closing, she shares more about what's next for her in retirement, including a move to New York and teaching at Princeton. This oral history is part of the Hopkins Retrospective oral histories series.
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    Oral History of Jim Stimpert
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2022-09-12 and 2022-09-14) Stimpert, Jim (James); Seyler, Allison
    Jim Stimpert worked as an archivist at Johns Hopkins University's Sheridan Libraries for 39 years. Retiring in 2022 from his role as Senior Reference Archivist, Jim holds a treasure trove of institutional knowledge. In this oral history interview, Stimpert speaks about his life and college days in Ohio, ensuing career, and the varied experiences he's had helping researchers, scholars, students, and community members. Jim discusses the formation of the Ferdinand Hamburger University Archives, the department's first computer, and the technological and methodological changes archivists have faced in the evolution of their work. He talks about his dedication to learning and sharing university history, teaching photography classes and workshops, and in closing shares more about the hobbies he'd like to pursue in retirement. This oral history is part of the Hopkins Retrospective oral histories series.
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    Oral history of F.M.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2022-03-18) F.M.; Diehl, Kristen
    "F.M." is a member of the Johns Hopkins University Class of 2022. During this interview, F.M. talks with Kristen Diehl about her experience attending Johns Hopkins. Throughout, they discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on F.M.’s courses. They also discuss F.M.’s experiences in high school, her family life and the impact of the loss of her father, and her hometown. They also discuss her experience transferring to Hopkins and her thoughts on living in Baltimore, her internships with the Community Impacts Internship Program and extracurricular clubs on campus, and her interests in law and pursuing law school after graduation. The interview finishes with FM’s thoughts on how Hopkins could improve its support for pre-law students.
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    Oral history of J.O.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2022-04-11) J.O.; Diehl, Kristen
    "J.O." is a member of the Johns Hopkins University Class of 2022. During this interview, Kristen Diehl discusses with J.O. about his experiences attending Johns Hopkins as a pre-med student. Throughout, they discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on his classes and his internships as a nursing aid. They also discuss his hometown, family life, and experience during high school. When discussing his time at Hopkins, J.O. talks about his support systems with his friends and professors, his work as an RA and research assistant, and his membership in the Alpha Epsilon Pi Jewish fraternity. To finish the interview, J.O. describes his thoughts on Baltimore, major events on campus such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the Russian war with Ukraine, and his advice for future first-generation students.
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    Oral history of N.H.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2022-03-16) N.H.; Diehl, Kristen
    "N.H." is a member of the Johns Hopkins University class of 2022. During this interview, Kristen Diehl discusses with N.H. about her experiences attending Johns Hopkins. Throughout the interview, they discuss the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on her classes, internships/clubs, and her relationships with her family and classmates. They also discuss N.H.’s hometown and family life, her experience and research while pursuing her anthropology and neuroscience majors, and her participation in different campus and Baltimore City based organizations. To finish the interview, N.H. describes her advice for future first-generation students and what Johns Hopkins could do to improve the experience of other first-generation students.
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    Oral history of Sharon Morris
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2022-08-24) Morris, Sharon; Seyler, Allison
    Sharon Morris, MLS discusses her career as a librarian at Johns Hopkins University. She gives details about her upbringing and education in West Baltimore, her educational experience at Morgan State University (an HBCU), and how her career evolved from initially wanting to teach. She describes her family, her work friends and collaborators, relationships with alumni, and her deep involvement with the Black Faculty and Staff Association, as well as her longstanding stewardship of the Indispensable Role of Blacks at Hopkins Project. Sharon’s deep connections working with the Fred Scott Brigade and Society of Black Alumni are also topics of conversation. Lastly, Sharon shares some tidbits about what she’ll do in retirement. This oral history is part of the Hopkins Retrospective oral histories series.
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    Oral history of O.O.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2022-03-28) O.O.; Seyler, Allison
    "O.O." is a member of the Johns Hopkins University graduating class of 2022. In this interview, “O.O.” describes her family, her brief childhood experience in Nigeria, and her family’s move to the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, when she was young. She goes on to talk about her experiences as a first-generation student studying neuroscience at Johns Hopkins and her plans for medical school and a career as a doctor. She shares how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced her time at university and elaborates on the support network that helped her feel successful. O.O. details joining a few organizations like the Student Government Association, the African Students Association, and Knotty By Nature, a natural hair club. She also speaks about navigating financial situations with the university, including issues with parking, housing, mental health, and trying to make a difference in Baltimore. Lastly, O.O. gives a bit more detail about the days ahead. This oral history is part of the First-generation Students oral histories series.
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    Oral history of Y.R.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2022-03-18) Y.R.; Seyler, Allison
    "Y.R." is a member of the Johns Hopkins University graduating class of 2022. In this interview, he discusses his college experience - its challenges and successes - as a first-generation/FLI student at Hopkins. He shares how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced his coursework and social life. He describes his childhood living in Cuba, his parents' vocations and opinions on education, as well as their use of the Visa lottery Program. Y.R. talks about adjusting to life in Miami, his education leading up to university, the college application process, and his choice to attend Hopkins. Y.R. speaks about moving to Baltimore, life with roommates, and adjusting to the academics at Hopkins (imposter syndrome, time management). He also details extracurriculars like the Cuban-American Undergraduate Students Association and a dance club. and highlights some of his favorite professors. Lastly, Y.R. talks about his plans after undergraduate education; he was accepted to Yale Law School. This oral history is part of the First-generation Students oral histories series.
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    Oral history of James Davis, M.D.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2021-04-02) Davis, James; Seyler, Allison
    Dr. James Davis graduated from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1974, specializing in infectious diseases and internal medicine, he was always very interested in offering compassionate care for African American patients. He spent most of his career as a doctor in Washington, D.C. and retired after 41 years. In his interview, Dr. Davis speaks about his childhood in Little Rock, Arkansas where he lived with his mother, Jessie until he was 10. He then moved to Washington, D.C. to live with his father. Davis reflects on the segregation he witnessed as a kid, teenager, and young adult. He mentions that his family was friends with some of the students known as the Little Rock Nine. Davis explains the transition to Washington D.C. and comments on the Civil Rights Movement. However, Davis spent a bit of time in California too, so he admits his perceptions were skewed because of the geography of where he lived. After high school, Davis went to Wesleyan University in Connecticut, after being recruited by the Dean of Admissions. Davis then interviewed as a potential transfer student to Johns Hopkins and decided to apply for early admission to the School of Medicine. Davis details his experiences in the 2-5 program, which allowed him to also spend time on the undergraduate campus. He describes not seeing many Black students on campus, the challenges those that were there faced, and what it was like to build a community of support for one another. Davis remembers the small total number of Black medical students at Hopkins - 13 - and he mentions the difficulties they faced because of professors and instructors who obstructed their paths. Additionally, he comments on the negative treatment of Black patients by white physicians and nurses he witnessed. Davis had the chance to meet Vivien Thomas and Levi Watkins, so he comments on those encounters and their impact on his path. Davis also speaks about helping the Baltimore community as a med student and describes a memorable white working-class patient, who worked in the steel mills. Ultimately, Davis wore a suit to graduation rather than his cap and gown as a protest to the prevalent racism he experienced at Hopkins. Dr. Davis then worked in New York at Harlem Hospital and at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. In the latter part of the interview, Dr. Davis describes his career in private practices and working with a difficult and limited healthcare system. He explains his support for various causes, specifically describing the group Trans Africa and its leader Randall Robinson, who fought apartheid in South Africa. After his retirement, Dr. Davis now serves as the Medical Director of his wife's Home Care Agency, supporting elder care in D.C. Dr. Davis describes what life is currently like for his siblings, wife, and his daughter, Nia. Lastly, Dr. Davis talks about his love for baseball, his passion for jazz music, and his interest in tutoring African American boys. Dr. Davis was nominated and inducted to the Indispensable Role of Blacks at Hopkins Exhibit in 2021 as a trailblazing physician. His profile can be found on the BFSA website. This oral history is part of the Hopkins Retrospective oral history series.
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    Oral history of A.C.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2021-03-05) A.C.; Diehl, Kristen
    “A.C.” is a member of the Johns Hopkins University graduating class of 2021. In this interview, he shares his experience attending classes online and missing social interactions with peers during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also describes growing up in San Francisco and shares his parents’ experience immigrating to the United States from China. A.C. describes his transition to life as a Johns Hopkins student, as well as memorable courses and faculty members from his cognitive science major. In addition to his major, A.C. discusses his interest in writing and photography, and how he plans to pursue a career in publishing following graduation. This oral history is part of the First-generation Students oral histories series.
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    Oral history of E.D.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2021-03-03) E.D.; Diehl, Kristen
    “E.D.” is a member of the Johns Hopkins University graduating class of 2021. In this interview, she shares the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on her senior year at Johns Hopkins, including what it was like to attend classes online. She describes moving to the United States from Nigeria as a young child and growing up in Maryland. E.D. also shares her family’s perception of Johns Hopkins and her college application process, as well as her early interest in music and pursuing a career in the medical profession. In addition to academics, E.D. describes her participation in performing arts organizations on campus, such as the Gospel Choir, and jobs she had while in school. She also shares insight into campus issues, including struggles with financial aid, unequal funding for student organizations, and concerns about the proposed Johns Hopkins Police Force. This oral history is part of the First-generation Students oral histories series.
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    Oral history of B.D.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2021-03-01) B.D.; Diehl, Kristen
    “B.D.” is a member of the Johns Hopkins University graduating class of 2021. In this interview, she shares the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on her senior year at Johns Hopkins, specifically the challenges of attending school remotely while living with her parents, siblings, and grandfather. She also describes growing up in Chicago’s Vietnamese community, her high school experience, and what it was like transitioning to life in Baltimore. B.D. goes on to describe her academic experience at Hopkins as a neuroscience and archaeology double major, her participation in student organizations, and the importance of prioritizing mental health while in school. Lastly, she shares her post-graduation plan of taking time to work within the community before applying to medical school. This oral history is part of the First-generation Students oral histories series.
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    Oral history of R.D.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2021-03-12) R.D.; Seyler, Allison
    “R.D.” is a member of the Johns Hopkins University graduating class of 2021. In this interview, she discusses the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on her college experience, noting particular challenges for her as a transfer student. In this interview, she mentions being born in Cuba and describes her life in Miami with her parents. She talks about her adjustment to Baltimore as a transfer and describes what she did to prepare for the academic rigor of Hopkins. R.D. speaks about exploring potential career paths, supporting her father’s business, and the importance of maintaining her family relationships. She also speaks to feeling supported by other first-gen students, a lot of whom were also Hispanic. Lastly, R.D. talks about her future plans upon completing her undergraduate education. This oral history is part of the First-generation Students oral histories series.
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    Oral history of A.R.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2021-03-02) A.R.; Seyler, Allison
    “A.R.” is a member of the Johns Hopkins University graduating class of 2021. In this interview, she explains how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted her college experience, limiting her social interactions and requiring online coursework. In this interview, she describes growing up and living in Queens, in New York City. She shares what her experiences were like moving with her family to Texas and attending school there. She discusses her decision to transfer to Hopkins and move to Baltimore, and the importance of family and community as she made that transition. She speaks about Bangladeshi culture and food, as well as her academic pursuits in the STEM field of engineering. A.R. includes comments about hobbies and groups she connected with while at Hopkins and she mentions her plans for future employment post-graduation. This oral history is part of the First-generation Students oral histories series.
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    Oral history of James Cross
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2020-04-07) Cross, James; Seyler, Allison
    Dr. James Cross is an engineer and professor who graduated from Hopkins in 1960 with a degree in electrical engineering. Cross details his experiences as one of the first Black students at Hopkins. He mentions befriending one Black student who was also living on campus at the time, Ernie Bates, and attending a sit-in at a local restaurant with another Black student, Victor Dates. During his undergraduate years, Cross was a member of ROTC, he ran track, and strongly committed to his studies and education as a form of civil rights activism. In the interview, Cross touches on his early life growing up in rural Virginia, his experiences abroad while in the Army, and the various educational and professional paths his life took in his post-Hopkins years. He remains an active member of his community and speaks fondly of his family’s endeavors and accomplishments. Dr. Cross was nominated for the Indispensable Role of Blacks at Hopkins Exhibit and has spoken about his life and career at the Fred Scott Brigade Annual Dinner. This oral history is part of the Hopkins Retrospective oral history series.
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    Oral history of P.M.
    (Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, 2020-03-06) P.M.; Seyler, Allison
    “P.M.” is a member of the Johns Hopkins University graduating class of 2020. In this interview, she describes growing up in Parkland, Florida and her high school experience. She shares how she adjusted to life and rigorous academics on campus, including her participation in the Johns Hopkins Underrepresented in Medicine Program (JUMP). P.M. also discusses her interest in public health and her plans to apply to medical school following graduation. This oral history is part of the First-generation Students oral histories series.
Johns Hopkins University holds all rights, title, and interests to these records, including copyright and literary rights. The records are made available for research use. Any user seeking to publish part or all of a record in this collection must seek permission from the Ferdinand Hamburger University Archives, Sheridan Libraries.