Dr. Gregory Carr November 14, 2008

 

Dr. Gregory Carr, Howard University professor of African-American studies.

Dr. Carr’s presentation, while intriguing, was a bit confusing.  I was never quite sure what exactly the topic of the lecture was, however he seemed really into it so that kept me engaged.  I think if he had made the topic(s) of his lecture more clear I could have understood it better, and maybe have taken it more to heart.  Everything he was saying was really interesting, and I absolutely loved his enthusiasm for his subject.  Seeing him speak that night has affirmed the rumors that Dr. Carr is an amazing teacher, and it has made me really want to take one of his classes solely based on the fact that he seems to love what he’s talking about.  I truly enjoyed this lecture immensely and I wouldn’t have changed much, just maybe he could have explained the subject of the lecture a little better.  I don’t know, I hope I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know exactly what he was talking about!

HIV/AIDs Forum October 29, 2008

This lecture was just plain dull.  Aside from the one lady basically blaming the whole freshman class for the outbreak of chlamydia or syphilis on campus, the speakers sounded bored.  They basically told us things I think most of us knew from high school health class, and the presentation of the information itself was very dry.  Really one of the only good things about this event was the free stuff they handed out beforehand.  I think it was a good idea for a lecture because of course people should know more about HIV/AIDs, however I think it was just put together strangely.  If they had made it a little bit more interesting or even understandable I think the presentation would have been much better.

Sexual Survival in the New Millenium October 17, 2008

This lecture started out interesting.  Of course the topic of HIV/AIDs is an important one, and it should not be overlooked by any stretch, but Dr. Sweeney made the lecture somewhat unbearable at times.  But before I mention the negative, I want to stress the positive aspects.  Dr. Sweeney seemed very well informed on the topic of HIV/AIDs, and I was also very happy to see that her main research was in New York City, which is right near where I live.  I appreciated learning the statistics of the disease and who it affects most because it has taught me to be more careful with what I do.  I did not like, however, that the lecture was so long.  The same questions were being asked of her over and over again, and she would go off on tangents that lasted 15-20 minutes at times.  I also knew a lot of the information she provided us with because of the women’s health class I took as a senior in high school.  Overall, though, I think it was a worthwhile lecture because people need to know about this disease and who it’s affecting.

Deep Ancestry Inside the “Genographic Project” October 10, 2008

 

Intercontinental human migration routes discovered by Dr. Spencer Wells.

 

Yesterday I went to a lecture given by Dr. Spencer Wells, a population geneticist. Through his work, he aims to explain the patterns of human diversity, meaning how people got to be where they are today (the above map illustrates this), and why we look the way we do. He said some really interesting things. For instance, apparently, through his research, he has come to find that there is very little genetic variety between humans (only about .1%), whereas there are other species that have as much as 14% genetic variation. What I also thought was quite interesting was that he has traced the migration of peoples back over time, and has concluded that everyone originated in Africa. I enjoyed the lecture immensely and am planning to order a kit to join his project. This kit is provided so that you can send him a buccal swab of your DNA, and he will tell you where your ancestors have come from. I have always been really interested in genetics, and no one in my family can ever give me a straight answer as to what we are and where we have come from. I figure this is my chance to find out!

President Sidney A. Ribeau’s Convocation Speech October 1, 2008

I actually really liked the president’s convocation speech. I didn’t think his tone was too casual. He was talking to a bunch of young people (and of course the faculty), so I think his content and tone were appropriate. I thought it was admirable that he called out certain students and commended them in front of a school-wide audience. He gave the current students like me, a standard to look up to, and not just the legacy of the past. My favorite part of the speech, however, was when President Ribeau compared himself to music, a color, a book of the Bible, and a leader. I liked this a lot, so I decided to do my own, a little differently.

If I were music, I would be Big Band.

If I were a color, I would be bright yellow.

If I were a book, I would be “On the Way Down” by Nicholas Sparks.

If I were a leader, I would make promises I could keep.

My Howard University Tour September 13, 2008

Founder’s Library:

I say I am in search of a book.

The librarian says, “Take a closer look.

“The book you need is in the back.”

But on my way I pass a stack.

And another, and another, and another one.

Scared, I say, “My search is done!”

 

Bethune Annex:

I stay in Bethune Annex, and personally, I don’t think that it’s all it’s cracked up to be.  Everyone is always bragging about the air conditioning, yet they turn it off half the time anyway. And we may have fewer roommates than our sisters that stay in the Quad, but with fewer roommates come fewer chances to make friends. And yes, we do have our own cafeteria, but that makes it all the more easier to gain the freshman 15. I enjoy staying at the Annex, I just wish it didn’t have such a cocky attitude, because it really isn’t as great as it seems.

 

Miner Hall:

When I went to the location where Miner Hall once stood, I realized the significance of the building, for my family at least. My grandmother is so proud of her AKA (Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority) heritage and sisterhood, and she is constantly trying to persuade me to pledge. It wasn’t until I looked up Miner Hall later on, that I found out this was the place that the first members of the AKA sorority were initiated. It gave me a funny feeling to realize that there is so much history at this university, and that I am walking over it every day.

 

Howard Hall:

On my first visit to Howard University, my mother and I were walking on Georgia Avenue and I noticed a building that seemed a bit out of place. Amidst all of the newer looking, brick buildings came a house. At least that’s what I thought it was. Actually, the first time I visited I thought it was where the president lived, and I really liked the look of it. Upon researching it later, I discovered that it was indeed a house: the house of the founder of Howard University, General Otis Howard. It is one of the oldest buildings on campus, and it has since been declared a National Historic Landmark. However, it now functions as the University’s Alumni Center.

 

Howard University Hospital:

Every time I see the hospital, I know that I am halfway there. Going from the Annex to the Metro can be stressful, depending on the time of day, but whenever I see the hospital, I know that I am not far. I remember the first week of school, we were out on the Metro everyday, passing by the hospital at least twice a day. We’d often hear ambulances roaring down the street and we’d see them swing right into the driveway of the hospital. We took it for granted; it was just a place marker for us. I guess we didn’t stop and take in the significance of the building. A hospital known for its trauma center will see many gunshot victims daily, and we used the hospital as a landmark. There were people struggling to stay alive, and people struggling to keep people alive, and every time we’d walk past, we’d grin and say, “Not long now!” When instead, we should have said, “I hope the people inside are getting better.”