**Review of First Monthly Learning Community Initiative

The first monthly learning colloquium was held in Cramton Auditorium. All Freshmen students taking a freshman seminar course were required to attend this event. It was a very interesting and informative session. Through this session, I learned a number of things regarding research, Howard's history, intellectual work, and different tools that are essential for freshmen that originally eluded me. The discussion was led by Dr. Carr, a College of Arts and Sciences professor in the African-American Studies department.

The discussion began with research. He asked the audience what their definition of research was, and then he showed a list of the basic steps in the research process. When performing research, an individual is to try and state the topic as a question that you want your audience to answer. If the topic is too broad then you will not be able to successfully write a research paper because there will be too many aspects of that topic to cover. Narrowing the topic to one that allows you to concentrate on it and pose different subtopics is the key to an excellent research paper.

I came to Howard University knowing hardly anything regarding its history, but Dr. Carr enlightened me on a number of things regarding this subject. The only thing that I knew was that it was found in 1886 by General Oliver Otis Howard. I was even unaware of the fact that General Howard was Caucasian. Through the learning initiative, Dr. Carr revealed the purpose for Howard's establishment and other important aspects of the college. I learned that Howard University has always been a university, unlike many other schools that started as a college and developed into a university. Howard was not established to simply allow African Americans to learn a trade, but it was founded to educate African American. The idea of educating African-Americans was an idea between the AUC, Fisk, and Howard. On the other hand, Hampton University was stressing the idea of blacks simply taking up a trade. Before coming to Howard, I had seen the seal many times, but I had never taken the time to examine it. The Howard University seal originally had people in the background, but the seal was redesigned by Kelly Miller, and his design stands as the seal to this day. I learned that the motto on the seal, "veritas et utilitas" translates into "truth and service."

Dr. Carr laid out a checklist for freshman listing our roles as first year students. He entitled it "Intellectual Genealogy and Purpose." The first item on this list is to obtain library cards in Washington, D.C. We are to get a library card from both the Library of Congress and a local D.C. library. Dr. Carr's three ground rules for intellectual work are: be present, read and write, and speak.

In conclusion, the Learning Community Colloquia was very insightful and beneficial to me as a freshman student. Dr. Carr kept me alert and attentive throughout his presentation. He gave me a new perspective about what it will take on my behalf in order to have a successful year in not only my Freshman Seminar class, but all of my other courses as well.

**African American Heritage Trail**

The prestigious Howard University is located in the heart of Washington, D.C. Howard is Washington, D.C.'s third university founded in 1867. Since its founding many years ago, Howard has birthed intelligent individuals who have ventured into the world and made great accomplishments.

A Brief Tour Of Howard University


I. Founder's Library

This library was dedicated to the university in 1939. The library consists of a changing historical exhibit, a permanent exhibit that depicts the university's history, and the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. The library was designed by Howard's architect, Albert Cassell.

II. Freedman's Hospital

Freedman's Hospital was originally set up by the federal government during the Civil War to assist the many African-Americans seeking freedom. The hospital was established in 1862, and it was officially named "Freedman's Hospital" in 1863. In 1869, the hospital was moved to property owned by Howard University, and it became the University's teaching hospital. Dr. Alexander T. Augusta was the first individual to be put in charge of the hospital. When his tenure ended, he was replaced by Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, followed by Dr. William A. Warfield Jr., and then Dr. Charles Drew. In 1908, the building that stands to date as the College of Nursing was built on College Street. The hospital was named Howard University Hospital in 1975 and moved to Georgia and Florida Avenue, NW.

III. Howard University Hospital/Griffith Stadium Site

Before Griffith Stadium was demolished in 1965 and replaced by the Howard University Hospital, it served as a social center for the city it was the site for everything from sports events to baptisms. The stadium was constructed in 1914 and named after the manager/owner of the Senators baseball team. Professional teams, D.C. college teams, and high school teams all played at this stadium. The stadium was one of the few public places that was not segregated during this time period.

IV. Kelly Miller Residence Site

Kelly Miller is considered the nation's first black graduate student in mathematics. He attended Howard University on a scholarship and graduated in 1880. He attended Johns Hopkins University where he studied advanced mathematics. He was appointed to the faculty at Howard University where he added sociology to the curriculum in 1895. During his tenure at Howard, Miller taught sociology and served as the dean of College of Arts and Sciences. Miller served as a spokesperson against the rise of white supremacy, and he was a national leader between the approaches of Washington and Du Bois. In 1965, Miller's house was demolished and replaced by a dormitory.

V. Howard Hall, Howard University

Howard University was named after General Oliver Otis Howard. General Howard was one of the founders of the school, and he played an instrumental role in the development of the university. Howard Hall was originally the home of General Oliver Otis Howard. It was one of the first four buildings to be built on the campus, and it is the oldest standing building on campus. The building began to deteriorate in the mid-20th century, and Howard Hall was declared a national landmark in 1974. After Howard's death, the University purchased the property, and it has been used for a number of purposes over the years. Howard Hall currently serves as the university's Alumni Center.