Dr. Benjamin's "The Eloquence of the Scribes", by: Melat Gebre @02640216

Dr. Benjamin's lecture was about the importance of scribes and the continuing legacy of Howard University. A scribe is a person who writes books/articles by hand. Before the printing press was invented, being a scribe was a common job. The Egyptians had many different types of scribes such as, scribes for the cattle and scribes for keeping record. Dr. Benjamin then went on to discuss famous scribes that have left a legacy at Howard University. General Oliver Otis Howard was the founder of Howard University and he fought for the rights and freedoms of minorities. General Howard was the president of the university from 1869-1874. Mordecai Wyatt Johnson was the first African American president of a university and he was president of Howard University from 1926-1990. Johnson was the eleventh president of Howard University and the administrative building on campus is named in his honor. Inabel Burns Lindsay was the one who established the School of Social Work, was named in her honor, and she was the only female dean in the DC area. Founders Library was opened in 1938 and was named after the 17 founders of the University. Lulu Vere Childers, the fine arts building was named after  her, founded the Howard University Glee Club, orchestra, and choir. Louis C. Cramton, the auditorium was named in his honor, was a congressman who influenced Congress to fund Howard University. Prudence Crandall, a hall inside the Tubman Quadrangle was named after her, is responsible for opening the first school for African-American girls. Phillis Wheatley, a hall inside the Tubman Quadrangle was named after her, was a famous poet who came as a slave from the Libya and became the first African-American women to publish a book. Dr. Benjamin then continued to discuss several other famous scribes that have influenced Howard University. Overall, Dr. Benjamin’s lecture taught me a lot of history about Howard University. Before this lecture I did not know why the buildings on campus had those names, now I understand the history behind those names. Dr. Benjamin’s lecture was clear and concise and I very much enjoyed it.