Eloquence of the Scribes- Princess

To become a part of the "best and brightest", I will do my best to excel here at Howard. I feel as though I've already made a leap in the right direction just by attending such a prestigious, historically black institution. I'm already aiming for a 4.0 GPA. I had a consistent 3.2-3.5 GPA in high school and now I want to achieve more than I ever have. To be a citizen of the world is to be an educated member of society who attempts to make the world a better place. An important aspect of being a world citizen is to recognize the importance of progress. Being a citizen in the nation as compared to being a citizen of the world has made me realize all of the work that still needs to be done, not only in the United States, but across the land. I'm not sure what is meant by a "representative thinker", but if I had to pick someone, it would be Dr. Abdul Karim Bangura. Every class he questions my traditional values of society. In an early Freshman Seminar presentation, one of the speakers spoke about advancing versus transforming knowledge. I believe Dr. Bangura is one of those people who transforms knowledge, which is why I look forward to his classes.

Princess Jenkins-Simlin

Sierra Williams- Eloquence of the Scribes

To be the best Howard scholar, I know that I must take all of my work seriously; and that I cannot achieve my goals without hard work. I strive to obtain a 4.0 GPA. Being involved in my own future, and the future of others will help me contribute to the Howard legacy. Working on areas that need improvement is also key to becoming the best and the brightest. To be a citizen of the world means to acknowledge the existence, and taking responsibility for what goes on around you. To be a citizen means that you have rights, but there are also rules to abide by. My citizenship in the nation will inform my world citizenry because based of the opportunities that I am afforded in America; I know that I have the potential to help the global community. I think a representative thinker that has inspired me is Patricia Bath, M.D. She is an opthamologist, the first African- American woman doctor to receive a patent for a medical invention. Her life’s work inspires me to till and turn over the soil, because I aspire to be a medical doctor, and from a long time ago it wasn’t possible for everyone. Even though it is a competitive field, if you work hard enough you can achieve your dreams.

Being a Howard student and World Student: Trey Lasane

As a student, I want to embark on a journey that leads to the future of energy in America. I believe energy will be a key resource for our nation as we move forward with technology. Our environment, economy, and foreign relations can all be improved with a little dedication towards renewable energy. I will be the best and brightest at Howard by forming my own organization: Future Energy of America.

A citizen of the world has strong nationalism but at the same time accounts for people everywhere. As we recognize how America was formed and aided by other nations, we must be a part of the help in other nations around the world. The United States simply couldn't stand by and watch Quaddafi stop the formation of a democracy. We couldn't sit back and watch the tragedy in Darfur. We proudly stand as a United nation, but we must be our brother's keeper to other countries just how others have done for us. Being a citizen of the world means that you care for more than just your own country.

For my Howard role model, I look no further than my Commandant of Cadets 1st Lt Baynard. Lieutenant Baynard has demonstrated superior during her Howard tenure as well as her leadership as a member of the cadre at Howard University. She has showed me that it takes more than brains to be a successful Howard student. Lt Baynard shows power of will and sets the example for everyone in the detachment.

Amber Spencer: Convocation

Howard University celebrated it's 144th opening convocation on Friday. Dr. Lomax was the speaker this year, and I found his speech to be amazing. He acknowledged that HBCU's give a strong educational environment that is important. The United Negro College Fund allows students to receive an exceptional education by helping to fund it. HBCU's allow us to achieve our dreams and goals as well as succeed in life. He also mentioned several important people in Howard history who made a large difference in our school. Overall the convocation made me feel welcomed as a Howard student in the class of 2015. As long as everyone puts effort into making this a great learning community, HBCU's can help people become who they want to be. Dr. Lomax states how alumni from HBCU's need to give back more. By this happening, the schools in general would do much better. Many Howard students say that they plan to give back, but fail to actually do. I hope that I become one of the alumni that actually follows through with this process.

K'ara Locke - Convocation

Dr. Michael L. Lomax was the keynote speaker for Howard University’s 144^th opening convocation ceremony. He really stressed the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the US. He emphasized how we all to work together to bring each other up so that we are all on one accord. There are strong HBCUs and there are weak HBCUs, but we all have to work together to be as powerful as we are capable of. And for this to happen “Great colleges must not be complacent, they must welcome the struggle to become stronger.”

The quote that put the wheels of my mind in motion was, “We cannot afford to lose any more black colleges. [They] need to all perform at the top of their game.” I think this hit home a little because this is why I choose to come to Howard. I knew I wanted to go to an HBCU but I didn’t want to go to a ‘weak’ one; I wanted to be at the most prestigious, not one that was close to falling off the edge. But we have to all work together to strengthen the weaker ones and eventually all be strong.

Dr. Lomax has been doing his part as the president of the United Negro College Fund and now it will soon be our turn as HU alumni to give back to our alma mater to keep it strong. Especially since not enough HBCU alumni do; a mere 11% give back, and that is not enough.

Amber Spencer: African Burial Grounds

I found the lecture on the African burial grounds that Professor Mack gave extremely riveting.
I thought it was amazing how the people who studied the grounds were able to tell so much about the people who were buried there. It is intriguing how looking at the remains of people can tell you so much about their life. It was also amazing how you could learn so much about how each person was put to rest. I believe that this is special ground and it should therefore be saved and not built over. So much history lies there.
I think that by visiting the actual grounds would make the situation more real to me. Seeing the place in which my ancestors were buried and understanding how they were buried would be an eye-opener to me, and I think that I would be able to benefit greatly from that experience. I'm glad that Howard gives us this type of opportunity!
I think that it is great that Howard chose to save these remains, not only to study them for knowledge, but also because I personally believe that it is morally proper to save these remains. The origins of these people are so important and more people should learn more about it.

K'ara Locke - African Burial Grounds

As I listened to Professor Mack’s lecture, I found myself very pleasantly surprised. I was impressed first, with the amount of information the team, that did the excavation, was able to gather from studying their bodies and how they were put to rest. There is still so much that we, as students, are not taught or even guided in the right direction to teach ourselves. They went so in depth with this project; they were able to find even the minutest details about their lives, rituals, the level of humanity that they showed towards one another and several other things.

Although many aspects of the project don’t sit well with me, i.e. excavating these people’s remains to study them and the fact that they built over much of the cemetery fully aware of it. I am excited to go see the monument so I can see it for myself and just explore and let my mind wander. I think it amazing that HU was asked to play such a big role in this project. It definitely makes me look forward to all the opportunities that will come my way throughout my time studying here at Howard. There is so much about African culture that we are just so unaware of but a good amount of it affects our daily lives and we would never know it.