"An Inside Look at The Mecca: Howard Unversity" by:Ashley Alele

           Last week's lecture was titled: The Eloquence of the scribes: Initiation, Expectations, and Mastery- Continuing the Legacy of Howard University. The speaker was Dr. Hayes Benjamin. This lecture taught me about how Howard was founded, who these buildings were named after, and the important scribes. She described Scribe as a person who writes books or documents by hand as a profession. She said her purpose was to show us history through the actual campus of Howard.

         I learned that in November 1866, shortly after the end of the Civil War, members of The First Congregational Society of Washington considered establishing a theological seminary for the education of African-American clergymen. Within a few weeks, the project expanded to include a provision for establishing a university. Within two years, the University consisted of the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Medicine. The new institution was named for General Oliver Otis Howard, a Civil War hero, who was both the founder of the University and, at the time, Commissioner of the Freedman's Bureau. Howard later served as President from 1869-1874. This surprised me that Howard was founded by a white man.

        I learned who the buildings on campus were named after and important scribes. Howard Hall was the first building named after the founder. The "A" building was named after Mordecai Wyatt Johnson who was the first black president of Howard in 1926. The school of Social Work was named after Inabel Burns Lindsay who became the first dean of her school in 1945 and the 2nd accrediteted in the country. I learned that the Founder's Library was opened in 1938 and the architect was Albert Cassell. Locke Hall was named after Alain Leroy Locke who was the first African American Rhodes Scholar. The school newspaper "The Hilltop" was named after Zora Neale Hurston. The Fine Arts Building was named after Lula Vere Childers who was the first director of music conservatory. Douglas Memorial Hall was named after Frederick Douglas. The Aldridge theater was named after Ira Aldridge who was said to be the first great African American actor. Cramton Auditorum was named after Louis C. Cramton. The Tubman Quadrangle was named after 5 strong women. Slowe Hall was named after Lucy Diggs Slowe who was appointed as first dean of women. The Bethune Annex was named after Mary McLeod Bethune. Drew Hall was named after Charles R. Drew who was a scientific scribe known for blood transfusions. Just Hall was named after Earnest Everett Just who worked with Cells. Carver was named after George Washington Carver.

           There are so many buildings named after so many great people. Some that I didnt even list. I learned a lotb through this lecture that I probably would not have if I didnt have this class. I hope that I can someday become a part of the great legacy of Howard University.