For My Dear Professor Skerrett
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“Tracy, I’m no back-patter!”
This is what Professor Joe Skerrett said to me after I asked him what he thought of the first chapter of my dissertation. He was the chair of my dissertation committee and I was meeting with him to receive his feedback. After his declaration, I responded by letting him know that I didn’t “need my back patted, but would appreciate [him] letting me know whether or not my analyses were any good!” That exchange was the beginning of a very lively and lovely friendship that evolved from Joe being my teacher to us becoming family.
One of the things that always kept me in awe of Professor Skerrett was the depth of his knowledge of seemingly everything as well as his humility. I can recall several occasions where he graciously allowed many a pedant to wax on about literature, music, popular television, visual art, gardening, gastronomy . . . and then later, when he knew he was out of earshot, inform me of all the ways in which that individual’s depth of knowledge was insufficient and shallow. Although he enjoyed demonstrating his intellectual heft, it was never a vain gesture. It was always done to inform, correct, or enlighten. Most importantly, it was always done with grace.
Professor Skerrett hated the fact that I always called him “Professor Skerrett” and not “Joe.” He felt that our relationship had evolved from student/mentor to family and that there was no need for me to address him so formally. I understood his position. I then explained to him that although he was family to me, he would always first and foremost be my teacher, and that I continued to call him “Professor” to signify my deep respect and admiration. He nodded his head in acceptance.
Professor Skerrett was with me when I successfully defended my dissertation, collected all of the required signatures, and paid all of the fees to the graduate records office. After I handed my dissertation over to the graduate records official and received my receipt, I turned to Joe and said, “We did it!” He replied, “YOU did it.” I began to weep. He hugged me and said very softly, “Now that we are officially colleagues, will you please call me Joe.” I laughed through my tears and said “Okay, Joe, but just for today.” As he continued to comfort me, I asked, “Joe, are you patting my back?” Quietly, he responded, “Just for today, Professor Vaughn. Just for today.” I nodded my head in acceptance. [End Page 10]
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Joseph T. Skerrett, Jr.
Photograph courtesy of Archie J. Brown Collection
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TRACY L. VAUGHN-MANLEY, who received the MA and PhD degrees at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), is an associate professor at Northwestern University in Qatar and a core faculty member of the African American Studies Department at Northwestern University, Evanston.
