Archive for November 2008
An Evening With General Colin Powell
Last friday afternoon instead of sleeping in at Meridian Hill, I decided to attend a kick-off to a Leadership Symposium held by CEACS. The keynote speaker was to be General Colin Powell. I only know the General when being referenced to the Bush Administration. Having such an elite guest made me proud to be a validated student at Howard University. General Colin Powell had an intersting upbringing. His parents were immigrants! That is an amazing history to have. It makes me want to look-up where my ancestors came from. The general was given an introduction by our own President Sidney Ribeau. It seemed as if the two had been friends for a long time because of the tone and warmth that President Ribeau spoke about him. While listening to General Colin Powell, it let me know that you did not have to be the perfect person in every aspect to come to a leadership position. The General stated that he was no the typical straight A student that many expected him to be. I was an average, maybe a little below average student raised on the south side of the Bronx I believe in New York. I really enjoyed the video introduction that was given. General Colin Powell has made a great impact on the lives of many persons that are in the military. I was also respectable of his decision to give his support for our President Elect Senator Barack Obama! I know that it was a tough choice on his behalf and maybe not the most favorable. That lets many people know that it is not always a good thing to follow the crowd. Maybe one needs to take steps on their own. Overall I enjoyed the lecture. I also liked the question the young girl asked about words of wisdom. Even though the General didn’t have a specific one. What he told the young lady was sufficient enough. =)
Add comment November 20, 2008
Dr. Gregory Carr’s Lecture
Dr. Carr is indeed the best lecturer that Howard University has to offer. Next semester I will definitely be enrolling in a lecture of his. His lecture started with him explaining the emblem of Howard University. I believe is veritas et utilis. (sorry if i’m wrong. i will be sure to have it memorized later on!!!) I notice that alot of institutions use Latin as their motto’s. Even though we were in the dark, I was captivated by the tone and emphasis with which Dr. Carr spoke. He does speak fast but I know that he is beyond passionate about what he speaks of. I love how he engages his audience by incorporating current events with what he has to say. Most of his lecture in the beginning dealt with Egypt. I took notes but I cannot find the piece of paper that I wrote them on. I do remember him mentioning methodology. That is by which alot of his messages are conveyed. I really enjoyed his segment on the recent events of our new President Elect, Senator Barack Obama! He let us know that others before Obama paved the way for him. Such as Shirley Chisholm, Dizzy Gillespie and Jesse Jackson just to name a few. He captivated the audience with his emotional recollection of what has happened that led up to the election. Especially the event in Blackburn on the night of the election. I was in Blackburn but I left. I really felt his emotions when he stated that the students and staff of Howard began to sing the Nation Negro Anthem “Life Every Voice and Sing” after it had been stated that Senator Barack Obama was the new President Elect. Such and emotional and historical moment that should set an example for people of all races across the nation. I love how Dr. Carr went on to speak of Howard and its different ties with history and with music. I know I am behind on my knowledge of African American Studies but I plan to take a class, or two with Dr. Carr to enhance my knowing of the subject.
Add comment November 13, 2008
A Lecture On Aids
Last Thursday, instead of going to seminar in the auditorium of locke hall, we had a workshop on HIV/AIDS. I was a little late but I stayed for the entire lecture. Most of what I heard I already knew. Something that was interesting to me was the Dental Dam. I hadn’t heard about this object until I came to Howard. It seems as if I should have of it, but my school back home never had any sessions such as this. I found the workshop to be very informative, yet amusing just because of the bluntness of Dr. Sweeny. She seems like the mom you can talk to anything about. Much different from my mom. As a biology major, I understand how the virus begins by taking over a cell in the body and reproducing until the cell is eventually dead. I just don’t understand why people don’t do what they have to to protect themselves. I admire Howard for holding such workshops to empasize the importance of being safe when it comes to those who engage themselves in sexual activities. I think this even should have been advertised so that more students would turn out. Sometimes getting tested for HIV is scary to students because they always think about the worst of the situation. Overall, this event was very informative and worth the time.
Add comment November 13, 2008
