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Howard Thurman Center

  • Howard Thurman, former Dean of Marsh Chapel, was a mentor to BU alumnus Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Howard Thurman Center (HTC) promotes cultural awareness through engaging discussions and seminars and is a place where expression in all its forms – cultural, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, and more – is embraced.
  • The HTC hosts engaging events and community building programs such as Coffee and Conversation where you can chat with fellow students and BU staff about important issues on your mind.
  • Additional programs range from free Rosetta Stone language software, cultural councils, art exhibits, to book clubs.

 

So, Howard Thurman was actually a student here at BU and some of his philosophies were like, mainly connecting with nature, finding peace within yourself, "what is your purpose in life?" Like, having those deeper conversations with yourself, but also with other people, which is what the Howard Thurman Center reflects. So like when you come to the Howard Thurman Center, it's meant to have a space for common ground, socialize with other people, have those deep conversations, but also find who you are at the same time.

There are a couple of different programs and events here that like cater to the different interests of all the students here. So we've had coffee and conversation that happens weekly and the topic of conversation switches every week. And then there's also Book Club which is another weekly event. And then there's also Charcoal Magazine, which is one of my favorites. It's a magazine made by POC students for POC students.

On our second floor, we have an art gallery wall. Every now and then I think they switch it out to either outside like art artist communities or student communities that do art as well. I think just to showcase what students have to offer and it's open to anyone that wants to come see it so you don't have to be a student to come look at the gallery.

The listening room slash meditation room is technology free so that when you go in there and you close the door, it's completely quiet you don't have any distractions you could connect with nature as most of you can with like the living moss on the wall, but also like listen to your inner thoughts -- have those deep conversations with yourself. Hence, the no technology, no distraction rule.

Having a space like the Howard Thurman Center, I think it made my freshman year a lot easier. Just the adjustment because the community I have gotten to build here is definitely one of my favorite ones that I have on campus. Like it's just a really great place for people to come and relax and I think it's something we all really need.