A Monthly Newsletter from the Office of the President
BISON BEAT February 2018 | Volume 6 Issue 10
HOWARD’S STORY IS
HISTORY
Dear Howard Community, The role that Howard University continues to play in the world is one of excellence. We are creating history every day, but the academic landscape outside our campus is changing. Not only are the dynamics of access to education much different now than they were at the onset of this institution’s founding, but now, there are more opportunities for black students to attend any school they choose and dream the biggest dreams they could ever have—which is what I did when I came to this country as a 16-year-old with sickle cell anemia who wanted to become a physician. Howard University was the only place in the world where I could fulfill my dreams. No one at Howard ever questioned my capacity or abilities, and that is
the HBCU difference. I think that’s why HBCUs are even more critical today than in the past. Last year, fewer black males applied to medical school than in 1976. We have a crisis taking place right in front of us, but the focus often is that there’s opportunity everywhere. Unfortunately, the opportunity is not quite what it’s made out to be. Sometimes, it is a “sheltered opportunity,” one with a lot attached to it. HBCUs take away the shackles because when you attend an HBCU, you are presented with an unbridled opportunity to fulfill your potential and bring your wildest dreams to fruition—to make history. Howard University is a national treasure—not only because of our legacy but also because of what is happening right now. Our core
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Inside
values of excellence, leadership, truth and service are at the center of Howard’s vision to develop scholars and professionals who drive change while engaging in scholarship that provides solutions to contemporary global problems.
AROUND CAMPUS 4
Howard’s Story
8
Howard WEST Expansion
9
Charter Day 2018
Thank you for helping us make history 365 days a year.
9
Howard University Awarded Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Grant
Excellence in Truth and Service,
10
On Beat with @HUPrez17
Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA PRESIDENT
Howard University’s
STORY
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The Naming
The Charter
Many wonder how Howard University came to be named after Gen. Oliver Otis Howard. The story of Howard University begins with the Congregational Church. The idea to start a theological school for newly “freed blacks” grew out of several First Congregational Society meetings in November 1866. One participant in these meetings was Gen. Howard. It was at the meeting on November 20, 1866, that the group chose to name its planned seminary after Gen. Howard. They chose to use his name because of his interest in educating African Americans.
On March 2, 1867, Congress passed “The Charter of Howard University,” establishing what some referred to as a National Negro University. One of the many confusing facts about the founding of Howard University is the belief that it was founded as a “theological” and “normal” school (for teachers). However, the charter that established the University expressly stated that it was to be a “University for the Education of Youth in the Liberal Arts and Sciences.”
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HOWARD FIRSTS
1926
1869
1910
Howard University was unique at its opening in
The Main Building was among the first buildings constructed
Mordecai W. Johnson began his tenure as 11th president of Howard
Caucasian males and females together.
building was completed in 1869, it was used for the University’s
On September 30, 1910, the new seal of Howard University, which read “Veritas et print for the first time in the student-published
a tenure of 34 years. His presidency was marked by the building of the
1867
1867 because it enrolled African American and
by the Freedmen’s Bureau for Howard University. After the
administrative offices, the Freedmen’s Bureau as well as the
Charles B. Boynton was selected as Howard
Theology Department (1871-1929). The Main Building was
19, 1867, to August 1867. Like most of the
later that year.
of the First Congregational Church.
Howard Hall, One one of the earliest buildings and originally
University’s first president. He served from March University’s incorporators, Boynton was a member
demolished in 1935. Founders Library was erected on its site
University on June 30, 1926. He was the first African American to preside
Utilitas” (Truth and Service), appeared in public
over Howard University, and he was its longest-serving president, with
Howard University Journal.
modern Howard University. Much of today’s physical plant and the full accreditation of Howard’s schools and colleges took place during his
presidency. The Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Administration Building was dedicated to Johnson on September 6, 1973.
called Howard House, was occupied by Howard University
President Oliver O. Howard from 1869-1874. It was later used
for a variety of purposes. In 1967, it was principally the African Language and Area Center.
1958 Howard University conferred its first Ph.D. degrees on June 6, 1958, in the field
of chemistry. The Ph.D. recipients were Harold Delany and Bibhiti Mazumder.
1945
HU Alumna Inabel Burns Lindsay in 1945
became the first dean of the Howard School of
Social Work. In 1969, the University completed the building that houses the School of Social Work &
named it Inabel Lindsay Hall in her honor.
1931
1929
Rankin Chapel has been had a total of four deans. In 1931, Dr. Howard
Dr. Numa P.G. Adams (A.B. magna cum
Thurman was appointed the first dean of the Chapel. With Thurman’s
laude, 1911) was the first African-American
designate a dean of chapel. Such an appointment signifies a commitment
Medicine. He served as dean of the Medical
appointment, Howard became the third university in the United States to to organized religious life on campus. Following Thurman, Dr. Daniel G.
Hill and Dr. Evans Crawford each served as dean of the Rankin Chapel.
dean of the Howard University College of School from 1929-1940.
Currently, Dr. Bernard L. Richardson serves as dean.
1996
Antoine Garibaldi, Ph.D. (B.A. 1973) became the first provost and chief academic officer of Howard
University in 1996. Following a recommendation by then-President H. Patrick Swygert, the board of
trustees approved the position of provost on September 30, 1995. Garibaldi served in the position until 2000. Currently, he is president of the University of Detroit Mercy.
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Howard University Charter Day 2018
Howard University and Google Expand ‘Howard West’ Computer Science Residency
2018 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awards Paula J. Giddings, in the field of Journalism Dorie A. Ladner, in the field of Social Work
Howard West is an extension of our commitment to produce industry-ready, Black computer science graduates who will enter the workforce with the added invaluable knowledge gained by working alongside the leading experts at Google.
2018 Capstone Distinguished Service Award
Interview Prep and Intro to Mobile
“Students and faculty noted
Millard “Jim” Watkins III
the pilot program, 14 rising juniors
life at Google as the program’s
subjects included Fundamentals of
with Google, will expand to cover
Machine Learning, Technical
the full academic year, beginning in
fall 2018. The announcement comes after a successful three-month pilot program during summer 2017 at
Google’s Silicon Valley headquarters.
Algorithms, Software Engineering,
Applications. Upon completion of applied for internships and four received offers.
expectations in many ways.
both the rigor and immersion in
Googlers involved felt there was a
true exchange of knowledge, culture
Lauren Clayton, a junior computer
Black colleges and universities,
Tennessee, says she gained a wealth
Howard West is not the first
program, which will prepare her to
University and Google. Google in
will participate in the immersive
one-year program. The residency includes workspace on Google’s
Mountain View campus, a generous
science student from Nashville,
of knowledge and skills through the
become a better software engineer.
stipend to cover housing and other
“I was really excited to spend my
resources, from gyms to micro-
that it would help me academically
expenses and access to Google
kitchens to the eponymous Gbikes. During the pilot, 26 students
participated in courses taught by Howard University faculty and a Google engineer as adjunct
professor to simulate practical, realworld engineering challenges. Class
summer at Google because I knew
and professionally,” she said. “Now, my approach to school is different. I know that it is important to keep
reading and doing outside research. It was a great experience.”
Howard Sueing, a software engineer and Google instructor for Howard
(general manager of WHUR)
most compelling aspects, and the
Approximately 100 rising juniors
from Howard and partner historically
in the field of Religion
West, said the pilot exceeded
Howard West, which is Howard
University’s academic partnership
The Reverend Bernard L. Richardson, Ph.D.,
and understanding,” he said.
collaboration between the Howard
Howard University Awarded $480,000 Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Grant
Residence, also known as GIR, is
The trustees of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation have approved a grant of $480,000 to Howard University, for
engineers as faculty at Howard and
centerpiece of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s initiatives to increase diversity in the faculty ranks of institutions
a program that embeds Google
use over approximately four years to establish a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program. MMUF is the
other HBCUs; it has been going
of higher learning.
Howard West was a natural and
The MMUF program was established in 1988 by William G. Bowen, president of the foundation at the time, and
strong for more than four years. logical next step, bridging the
Mellon program associate Henry Drewry. The program began with an initial cohort of eight member institutions.
divide between declaring a major in
Since then, the program has grown to include 48 member schools
geographical, academic and cultural computer science, graduating and landing a job in tech. To read more, visit:
http://bit.ly/2BDxcnV
and three consortia, including three South African universities and a consortium of HBCUs within the membership of the United Negro College Fund. As of 2017, more than 5,000 students have been
selected as fellows, more than 700 of whom have earned Ph.D.s and more than 100 of whom are now tenured faculty members.
The majority of those who have completed the Ph.D. hold or have held an appointment in the academy.
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FEBRUARY 2018 Beat Monthly Newsletter FEBRUARY 2018| Bison | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter| PAGE | PAGE99
The Journey
On Beat with @HUPrez17 HOWARD UNIVERSITY JOURNALISM PROGRAM RANKED TOP 20 FOR 2ND CONSECUTIVE YEAR For the second consecutive year, Howard University is listed in a recent College Factual ranking of journalism degree programs. The Cathy Hughes School of Communications Media, Journalism and Film program was ranked 20 out of 183 nationwide. This makes journalism at Howard a top 20 program in the United States. HOWARD UNIVERSITY ACKNOWLEDGED FOR ITS GREAT SOCIAL NETWORKING, EXPERIENCE AND EXPLORATION For the second consecutive year, Howard University is listed in a recent College Factual ranking of drama and theatre arts programs. The Department of Theatre Arts program was ranked 23 out of 306 nationwide. The ranking mentions Howard’s setting in an urban center as great for scholars trying to find adequate chances for social networking, experience and exploration.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY RECRUITS 22 STUDENT ATHLETES TO THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM On National Signing Day on Feb. 7, HU Football Head Coach Mike London and his staff wrapped up their first official recruiting class by adding 22 student-athletes to the football program. The list also includes early signees from Dec. 21. Howard finished the regular season with a 7-4 overall record and 6-2 in league play, placing second in the MidEastern Athletic Conference standings. HOWARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY “NAMED A WINNER” Howard University School of Divinity has been named a winner on the Center for Faith and Service’s “Seminaries that Change the World” Class of 2017-18 list. The list contains 33 schools nationwide, from Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry to Yale Divinity School. ROBERT EFIMBA ACKNOWLEDGED FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS Howard University Associate Professor of Civil Engineering Robert Efimba, Sc.D., P.E.,
LM. ASCE., was recognized in the American Society of Civil Engineering’s National Capital Publication Forum titled “Life Members Reflections and Biographies,” for his contributions to the civil engineering community.
(Please make checks payable to Howard University.)
Enclosed is my gift of $ Name: _____________________________________________________________
On Feb. 13, Cole Williams and junior swimmer, Latroya Pina were named HU Bison of the Month, sponsored by Kimpton Carlyle Hotel Dupont Circle and Kimpton Glover Park Hotel, for their incredible performances in January.
On Feb. 7, Arizona Cardinals safety Antoine Bethea was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Black College Football Pro Player of the Year Award, presented by the NFL Players Association. It will be awarded annually to the most outstanding professional football player from an HBCU. The 5-foot-11, 206-pound Bethea attended Howard University and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2006. In 12 NFL seasons, he has been selected for the Pro Bowl three times and won Super Bowl XLI as a member of the Colts.
STUDENT AID FUND
I AM PLEASED TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING GIFT TO THE HOWARD UNIVERSITY STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
HU BISON OF THE MONTH
BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL PRO PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Title: ______________________________________________________________ Company/Organization: _____________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________ If new address, please check: ¨ Home Phone: _______________________________________________________ Office Phone: _______________________________________________________
JOIN US NEXT TIME… ON
“The Journey” As the 17th President of Howard University, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick is dedicated to extending the legacy of Howard University as a world-renowned academic and research institution. Dr. Frederick has a deeply personal relationship with Howard University and represents the mosaic of the 80,000 + living alumni who are connected to the University as well as the students, staff and faculty members who are invested in Howard University’s success. Tune-in to episodes of “The Journey” here: http://whur.com/shows/thejourney/
Mobile Phone: ______________________________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________ Class Year:__________ College/Program:________________________________ PLEASE CHARGE MY CARD:
¨ Visa
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MasterCard
¨
American Express
¨
Discover
Name on Card:______________________________________________________ Credit Card Number: ________________________________________________ Exp Date:_______________ Security Code:_______________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________ If same as above, please check: ¨ Signature: __________________________________________________________ Date: ______________________________________________________________
¨ ¨
My and/or my spouse’s employer will match my/our gift. For online giving, visit: www.giving.howard.edu
DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI RELATIONS HOWARD UNIVERSITY 2225 GEORGIA AVENUE NW, ROOM 901 WASHINGTON, DC 20059
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