Ralph Waldo Emerson was one of America’s greatest readers, writers and communicators.  To some extent, due to his great influence, we are all one of his students.  He delivered an oration before the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Cambridge, Massachusetts in August of 1837 entitled “The American Scholar.”  In this meaningful address, Emerson raised American consciousness.  He chartered a course for the pursuit of greatness, the scholar’s pursuit.  Essential to being a scholar, according to Emerson, is action.  In this class we will all embrace his challenge.  Scholars read, write and speak out.  The end result, of course, is a gateway to vast opportunities.  We as lifelong learners, as scholars, affirm that “...education is the ladder by which we try to ascend.”