A Blog on McConnell Center Life

With over half the semester already passed, the American History Project is well on its way. I originally joined this extended learning opportunity because my background in American history was quite frankly lacking. Subsequently, I found it fortunate that the McConnell center would be addressing this area throughout the year. As a freshman, this has been my first ELO and has made quite the mark. Thus far the seminars and the trip to Williamsburg in particular have been filled with engaging, enriching opportunities that have had what I am sure are lasting effects. That is not to say, however, that it is what I expected. I have come across a wealth of knowledge in the form of enlightened speakers who have passionately unfolded the tale of American history, but I have gained more than simply textbook knowledge. While answering questions during seminars and elaborating on moments in history, many of the speakers have bridged the past to the present to show the profound prevalence of Ameri...

This afternoon, ten McConnell Scholars spent three hours cleaning up the Old Louisville area through Operation Brightside. Each year, Brightside holds a community-wide cleanup in an effort to keep Louisville "clean, green, and beautiful." This year, hundreds of people joined together from communities in Louisville to work on the project. The McConnell Scholars were proud to be included among the group. Throughout the afternoon, the scholars picked up trash on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd streets in Old Louisville. It was surprising to see how much trash the scholars collected. At the end of the afternoon, the scholars had filled ten trash bags, with garbage found on side walks, the side of the road, and borders of yards. Each member of the McConnell Scholar team reported having a rewarding experience. Each of the scholars are looking forward to participating in Brightside's community-wide cleanup again next year.

R. B. Bernstein, Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Law at New York Law School, traveled to the McConnell Center the evening of September 26th to discuss the Constitutional Legacy of Thomas Jefferson. Dr. Bernstein also spoke on Thomas Jefferson's constitutional theory as well as Jefferson's failures to reconcile his professed commitments to principle with actual practice. Dr. Bernstein's lecture drew a large crowd, with students and avid listeners from many different disciplines. Dr. Bernstein was excited to hear the question of what a modern-day Jefferson would be like and he heartily laughed when he described his anticipation of Jefferson's nervous breakdown in today's America. Bernstein highlighted Jefferson's tendency to believe that human beings were better than they actually are, a major weakness for Jefferson. Bernstein closed with a discussion on the Jefferson vs. Madison debate and explained why Jefferson is much more celebrated in American history...

Hon. Jane Harman, president of the Wilson Center and a former U.S. Representative from California We had the honor of speaking with Honorable Jane Harman, as well as the opportunity to play the game “Budget Hero,” today at the McConnell Center. Harman proved to be a thoughtful and engaging speaker. In our private seminar with her, we addressed such topics as national security and defense policy, political stances on immigration, marijuana, and war, and we were even able to get her personal views on actors as politicians and the balance between work and family. Overall, it was a wonderful set of seminars. Harman is a very down-to-earth person who was kind enough to be very candid with our group of Scholars. In addition to meeting with the Scholars, Harman came to the McConnell Center to help introduce the video game “Budget Hero” to Louisville and Kentucky schools. Harman is the president of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, one of the co-creators of the g...