An interview with David "Ditch" Mitchell, JD, PhD

So Ditch, what are you up to now?

After teacher for 4 years and being a paralegal for two, I left NYC to attend U Penn for a combined JD/PhD degree. I’ve finished the JD and am currently clerking for a federal judge in Baltimore. I’ll finish up my Sociology PhD in two years.

What is the subject of your dissertation?

Felon disenfranchisement- loss of: voting rights, parental rights, ability to serve on jury, hold public office. I am specifically focusing on the differences between states and impact on felons’ lives after incarceration. The disputed 2000 election was a major motivating factor- after learning who was removed from the roster of registered voters.

Your Deal/Your Goals:

Recently engaged to Enid Schatz, a fellow U Penn trained PhD. Moving to Denver to teach and be a scholar in residence for two years at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Keeping up with the Brownies:

I’ve kept in touch with many ’91 classmates such as Suzy Vore, Emio Zizia and Adam Strassburg and many of my students from my days as a Resident and Head Counselor. Also, during my tenure as a paralegal and at U Penn, I’ve met and made friends with Brown grads from the mid and late 90s. We all kind of clicked instantly as I guess there’s a lot of common ground from our shared Brown experiences.

Lessons Learned:

1. Importance of friendships- despite time, distance, race and class differences I have so many bonds from Brown that have endured. I’ve learned and grown a lot because of these friendships, and I consider them very important to me.
2. Listen- don’t just shout. In many ways, everyone at Brown was so busy trying to win the No, I’m More Liberal contest that they failed to notice how intolerant they’d become.

Favorite Dish/Dining Hall:

As a Perkins survivor, I have to say that the chicken cutlet at the ECDC would be at the top of my list of good eats. The Make-Your-Own Sundaes at the Ratty (with the obligatory social 4-5 hours) I also rate highly. Last, but certainly not least, I have to give a nod to the Silver Truck.

The Minority Question:

The relative low minority alumni/ae participation I think is a reflection of a larger trend. We don’t take ownership of Brown just like we don’t take ownership of the entire country. Also, being such a small community, it’s easier for us to keep in touch without the larger Brown events. Finally, many don’t want to relieve their Brown years- don’t want to re-open the wound. It was an intense time for many of us, a harsh coming to terms with our racial identity and awareness. I doubt you could find one African-American graduate from ’88 to ’92 who doesn’t remember the KKK graffiti from Spring Weekend 1988. On the other hand, I applaud Brown for doing more than anyone else. I think they sincerely try to translate the diversity assembled by the admissions office into the daily population (and I don’t mean all those stupid “awareness weeks,” either). Learning about the slavery reparations and the presidency of Dr Ruth Simmons both make me very proud to be an alum.