A Monthly Newsletter from the Office of the President
April 2017 Volume 6 Issue 4
WE ARE HU COMMUNITY
Dear Howard University Community, “Let us remember we are all part of one family. We are united in common values, and that includes belief in equality under the law, basic respect for public order, and the right of peaceful protest.” BARACK H. OBAMA, 44TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Ever since its humble beginnings in 1867, inside a little frame building with four students, one teacher and no money, Howard always has been driven by familial values. At our essence, we are an incredibly strong community—a community that is inspired by its legacy and has refocused its vision on the future. Howard University Bison continue to prove that this institution provides anyone who sets foot on the campus an undeniable sense of freedom to chase their dreams and reminds us that we must remain focused on how our impact affects the world. As president, it is my desire to have everyone play a role in bringing positive change to our community. It is up to each of us to ensure that Howard University remains a prototype as HBCUs at-large meet the challenges of the future. It is my firm belief that far too many students are unable to afford a quality education, are not exposed to competitive faculty who are committed to student
success or do not have an opportunity to travel abroad and explore uncharted lands. These are global higher education issues that Howard University will solve for the benefit of our students—who are among the most academically gifted and ambitious in the world. For 150 years, Howard University has provided an energy surge in each student on this campus to make a positive difference. Howard is a transforming agent in this society. I am proud of the strides that we have made thus far and inspired by the remaining work that must be completed. Excellence in Truth and Service,
Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA President
PAGE 2 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | APRIL 2017
Inside AROUND CAMPUS 4
Howard Focuses on Community
5
Howard Celebrates Fulbright and Truman Scholars
6
HU Hosts Another Successful Accepted Students Day
7
President Frederick’s Cabinet Participates in Bison Teaching Bison: A Networking Series
April 2017 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | PAGE 3
AROUND CAMPUS
Howard Focuses on Community If there’s one thing a Howard University student can sense immediately at the core of The Capstone, it’s the tight-knit community that the University encompasses. Despite all odds, the rich familial thread that so eloquently stitches the University student body together is only a part of what collectively keeps the University moving forward to accomplish its goals. Four students speak on this topic. Read what they had to say:
…WHAT MAKES THE HOWARD UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY SO TIGHTKNIT IS THE SIMILAR STRUGGLES THAT WE ALL FACE, AS WELL AS THE LEGACY THAT HOWARD HOLDS. THE MOMENT WE STEP ONTO HOWARD’S CAMPUS, IT’S AS IF WE BECOME ONE BIG FAMILY – UPLIFTING, SUPPORTING AND CONSOLING ONE ANOTHER DURING THE HARDSHIPS THAT WE FACE. DURING THOSE TIMES, WE BUILD BONDS THAT LAST A LIFETIME.”
“Despite our different backgrounds and the negativity, we all know that we’re here to be successful citizens and produce some of the top African-American actors, businessmen and women, doctors, etc. We know, and even the faculty knows, what Howard can produce. Not every school is perfect. However, we root each other on because who else will? Here at Howard, we are far away from our actual families. Yet, we gain the same support from students and faculty here because there are people in [society] who do not want to see us win. Therefore, we have to maintain that family orientation to ensure our success.” A’BREYA WILLIAMSON, SENIOR
QUISHA JAMES, SOPHOMORE
“An HBCU instills pride in someone. We don’t see [internal] negativity as negativity, per se. I think we’re looking at it as constructive criticism because we want our schools to be better. We bash our own schools, but I don’t consider it as bashing. It’s our uplifting in our own way. We should be doing better because we are Black. I think that can attest to our close-knit community because we can criticize ourselves. … Nobody sees what an HBCU really is from the inside, except for an HBCU student. …The [external criticism] fuels us to do better, and it gives us motivation.” SHAQUILLE FREDERICK, JUNIOR
As an HBCU, Howard University has been under scrutiny since its inception from a number of groups—whether it’s criticism from our own Black community for not immersing ourselves in a more “diverse campus”—a claim which we resent—or from the greater White community and their usual critique of non-traditional [non-Predominately White Institutions] education. The Bison community has a legacy of overcoming condemnation for 150 years. This new wave of flak that we are currently experiencing is nothing short of typical and can only mean one thing: We are doing things right.” - JUSTIN JAMAL, JUNIOR
PAGE 4 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | APRIL 2017
Howard Celebrates Fulbright and Truman Scholars
From left to right, Seniors Chelsea Nnebe, Briana Applewhite, Brittany Scott, Jakiya Pyron
Four Howard University students, along with two recent alumni, have been selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards for research, study and English Teaching Assistant awards abroad for the 2017-18 academic year. These trailblazing and academically competitive Howard students—all of whom are women—will be among the 1,900 U.S. citizens who will study, conduct research and teach aboard for the 201718 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
Dontae Bell, a Howard University senior, also was named a 2017 Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation Scholar. The Truman Scholarship is the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States. Bell is one of 62 students from 54 U.S. colleges and universities selected for the honor. More than 768 candidates were nominated for the award by 315 colleges and universities.
APRIL 2017 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | PAGE 5
HU Hosts Another Successful Accepted Students Day Howard University recently embarked upon another Accepted Student Day 2017. Accepted students took part in academic program sessions, a student Q&A panel and also went on tours of campus and residence halls. Accepted students received information that will guide them through a successful transition from high school to higher education. During their visit, they also heard from Howard students, faculty, staff and alumni about the numerous opportunities and resources available at the University.
PAGE 6 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | APRIL 2017
President Frederick’s Cabinet Participates in Bison Teaching Bison: A Networking Series The Office of the Student Ombudsperson recently hosted “Bison Teaching Bison: A Networking Series.” President Wayne A. I. Frederick’s Cabinet participated with the goal of allowing the University community—faculty, staff and students—to get to know the Cabinet better personally and professionally. During a question-and-answer session, Cabinet members discussed their journeys to Howard University, professional portfolios and opportunities for the community to get involved in projects they spearhead. Following the formal event, a reception took place in the Blackburn Ballroom, where HU community members interacted with the Cabinet one-on-one. APRIL 2017 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | PAGE 7
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