2026 Charter Day Convocation Program

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

CHARTER DAY CONVOCATION Commemorating the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Anniversary of the Founding of the University

1867-2026 Friday, The Sixth Of March Two Thousand Twenty-Six Eleven O’Clock in the Morning Cramton Auditorium Main Campus

HOWARD UNIVERSITY Charter Day Charter Day is a time for celebration. We celebrate because we are grateful for the March 2, 1867, approval of the Howard University Charter by President Andrew Johnson for an institution dedicated to the betterment of humanity. We are grateful for Howardites— collectively and individually—who, through example and support of their alma mater, exhibit the very spirit that has marked Howard as one of the great romances of American education.

In 1943, the first Alumni Achievement Awards were presented to three alumni. Since then, including this year’s recipients, the University has honored 356 alumni in a variety of fields for their distinguished postgraduate achievements and exceptional contributions to society. The Capstone Distinguished Service Award was established in 2014 to recognize the exemplary service of a Howard University faculty or staff member. A University Committee that includes alumni representatives nominates candidates for both awards. The Board of Trustees approves final selections.

The 2026 Charter Day Celebration continues a 102-year tradition of commemorating the founding of Howard. This year, we are celebrating Howard University’s 159th anniversary.

This occasion will recognize the historic legacy, monumental achievements, and positive impact the University has made since its founding in 1867.

3

HISTORY OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY Since 1867, Howard has conferred more than 100,000 degrees in the professions, arts, sciences and humanities.

Howard ranks among the highest producers of the nation’s Black professionals in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, architecture, religion, law, music, social work and education.

The University has long held a commitment to the study of disadvantaged persons in American society and throughout the world. The goal is the elimination of inequities related to race, color, social, economic and political circumstances. As the only HBCU with R1 status, Howard is one of the major engineers of change in our society. Through its traditional and cutting-edge academic programs, the University seeks to improve the circumstances of all people in the search for peace and justice on earth.

Howard has grown from a single frame building in 1867 to more than 89 acres, including the six-story, 400-bed Howard University Hospital. It has expanded to include a School of Law and a School of Divinity West Campus and another three-fifths of an acre facility in northeast Washington and a 108-acre tract of land in Beltsville, Maryland.

Howard prepares men and women to advance social justice and the preservation of human liberty. In each of its 14 schools and colleges, Howard University seeks to develop technically competent and morally committed individuals.

The University’s library system contains more than 1.8 million volumes, including the Channing Pollock Collection. The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center is recognized as one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive repositories for the documentation of the history and culture of people of African descent in Africa, the Americas and other parts of the world.

The University competes in 19 varsity sports including basketball, football, bowling, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, both indoor and outdoor track and volleyball.

Regarded as one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the world, current enrollment is more than 14,000 students from virtually every state, the District of Columbia, and more than 90 countries. The University traditionally has had the largest gathering of Black scholars in the world.

4

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ms. Minnie V. Baylor-Henry, Esq. Dr. Richard E. Besser Mr. Chris Carr Mr. Donald B. Christian The Honorable Arne Duncan Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick Interim President Mr. Godfrey Gill Reverend Dr. Michele V. Hagans

Ms. Leslie D. Hale Chair Dr. Lena Hill Dr. Danette G. Howard Mr. Marc S. Lampkin Mr. Kevin E. Lofton Mr. Mark A. L. Mason Vice Chair Ms. Depelsha McGruder

Mr. James J. Murren Mr. Ziad Ojakli Mr. Levoyd E. Robinson Ms. Hilary Rosen Mr. Shelley Stewart Jr. Mr. Bruce E. Thompson Mr. Christopher J. Tyson Dr. A. Eugene Washington Mr. Chris Washington

TRUSTEES EMERITI Dr. John E. Jacob Chairman Emeritus The Honorable Marie C. Johns Mr. Robert Lumpkins The Honorable Gabrielle K. McDonald Stacey J. Mobley, Esq. Chairman Emeritus

Dr. Laurence C. Morse Chairman Emeritus Martin D. Payson, Esq. The Honorable M. Kasim Reed The Honorable L. Douglas Wilder Mrs. Benaree Pratt Wiley

PATRON EX-OFFICIO The Honorable Linda McMahon United States Secretary of Education

OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick Interim President, President Emeritus, and Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery

Ms. Princess Gamble Vice President and Interim Chief Development Officer

Ms. Lydia G. Sermons Vice President of Communications and Chief Communications Officer

Dr. Allison Bryant Vice President of Corporate Relations

Dr. Kim M. Lewis Vice President and Chief Research Officer

Dr. Aristide J. Collins, Jr. Senior Vice President and Secretary

Dr. Warren Petty Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Ms. Rebecca Vazquez-Skillings Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Dr. Andrea Hayes Dixon Dean of the College of Medicine and Senior Vice President of Health Affairs Dr. Cynthia Evers Senior Vice President for Student Affairs

Florence W. Prioleau, Esq. Senior Vice President and General Counsel Dr. Keyana M. Scales Senior Vice President, Enrollment Management and Student Success

5

Dr. Dawn Williams Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer Mr. Rashad Young Senior Vice President for Administration and Chief Administrative Officer

THE 2026 CHARTER DAY CONVOCATION PROGRAM PRESIDING Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick Interim President, President Emeritus, and Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery Howard University THE ACADEMIC AND PLATFORM PARTY PROCESSIONALS Felix Mendelssohn Mark Prowen, Arr. The Howard University Symphonic Band Mr. Chancellor Mills, Conducting THE PRESENTATION OF COLORS Francis Scott Key John Stafford Smith, Arr. The Star-Spangled Banner The Howard University Symphonic Band Mr. Clifford Southern, Conducting James Weldon Johnson Sam Baltzer, Arr. Lift Every Voice and Sing The Howard University Symphonic Band Mr. Southern, Conducting THE INVOCATION The Reverend Dr. Bernard L. Richardson Dean of the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel THE REMARKS Dr. Frederick THE GREETING Ms. Leslie D. Hale Chair, Howard University Board of Trustees

6

THE MUSIC Adolphus Hailstork from Done Made My Vow My Name Is Toil The Howard University Concert Chorale Dr. Eric Poole, Conducting THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CONVOCATION ORATOR Dr. Frederick THE CONVOCATION ADDRESS Mr. Donald B. Christian (BBA ’90) Trustee, Howard University Board of Trustees Partner (Retired)US East Region Advisory Leader PwC US THE MUSIC Moses Hogan, Arranger Great Day The Howard University Concert Chorale Mirabella Gibson, Soprano Soloist Dr. Poole, Conducting THE CLOSING REMARKS Dr. Frederick THE ALMA MATER Joseph Hunter Brooks and Frederick Dwight Malone, Authors The Howard University Concert Chorale & Symphonic Band Mr. Mills, Conducting THE BENEDICTION Dr. Richardson THE RETIRING OF THE COLORS THE RECESSIONAL

7

THE CONVOCATION SPEAKER Donald B. “Don” Christian is a board director, governance leader, and strategic advisor with more than 36 years of experience guiding complex global enterprises and missiondriven institutions. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and Certified Chief Risk Officer (CRO), he integrates strategy, risk management, operational performance, and principled leadership to drive sustained impact.

Mr. Christian is the Founder and CEO of EquaNX LLC, where he advises founders, entrepreneurs, private equity investors, and C-suite executives on strategic growth, technology-enabled transformation, operating model design, and disciplined risk management.

He retired in 2025 from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) after a distinguished 36-year career. He served on the PwC International Board (2021–2025), one of eighteen global partners overseeing a $55 billion-plus network operating in more than 150 countries, and previously on the PwC US Board (2019–2023), helping guide the strategy and governance of a $22 billion-plus firm.

Throughout his career, he held senior leadership roles including Risk Management Leader for US Managed Services, US East Region Advisory Leader, Washington Metro Market Leader, and US Assurance Human Capital Leader, advising Fortune 500, Fortune 1000 and Federal Government clients on transformation and growth.

Since 2018, Mr. Christian has served on the Board of Trustees of Howard University, where he is a member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Finance Committee, and previously chaired the Audit and Legal Committee. He is also a Trustee of The McDonogh School, serving on its Executive Committee and as Chair of the Audit Committee. A native of St. Andrew, Jamaica, he is the Founding Chairman of the Jamaica Howard University Affinity Network (JHUAN) a non-profit organization that provides scholarship and mentorship, and other forms of support to Jamaican students attending Howard University.

His honors include the Caribbean Luminary Award from the American Foundation for the West Indies (AFUWI), the Presidential Award and National Achievement in Public Accounting Awards from the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and the Howard University School of Business Alumni Award.

Mr. Christian believes that principled leadership, strategic focus, continuous innovation, and operational excellence are the foundation shaping opportunities at scale. Whether advising executives or stewarding educational and global organizations, he remains committed to building enduring institutions, developing principled leaders, and expanding access for the next generation.

8

2026 DISTINGUISHED POSTGRADUATE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS DR. JELANI COBB (B.A. ’94) in the field of Journalism MR. HERBERT B. DIXON, JR. (BSEE ’70) in the field of Law MS. KAMILAH FORBES (BFA ’98) in the field of Fine Arts DR. JAMES K. FORTSON (B.S. ’72) in the field of Medicine

2021 DISTINGUISHED POSTGRADUATE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS DR. MAKOLA M. ABDULLAH (EG ’90) in the fields of Engineering and Leadership MR. THOMAS W. MITCHELL, J.D., LLM (LW ’93) in the field of Law

THE LaRUE V. BARKWELL CAPSTONE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD MS. REGINA DRAKE Howard University Office of the Provost

9

THE ALMA MATER Reared against the eastern sky Proudly there on hilltop high.

Far above the lake so blue, Stands old Howard firm and true.

There she stands for truth and right, Sending forth her rays of light, Clad in robes of majesty; O Howard, we sing of thee.

Be thou still our guide and stay Leading us from day to day; Make us true and leal and strong, Ever hold to battle wrong.

When from thee we’ve gone away, May we strive for thee each day.

As we sail life’s rugged sea, O Howard, we’ll sing of thee.

—Words, J. H. Brooks, Class of 1916 —Music, F. D. Malone, Class of 1916

THE MACE The mace is the ceremonial symbol of the University and is carried by the University Marshal. One of the earliest visual images of the mace is the front-side of the ‘Narmer Palette” of Ancient Egypt, an ovalshaped cosmetic palette inscribed with human and anthropomorphic figures. King Narmer is depicted on the palette as a mighty conqueror wielding a mace over a symbolic enemy. King Narmer, also known as King Menes or King Midas to the ancient Greeks, unified Upper and Lower Egypt circa 3100 B.C., ushering in the great pyramid building of the old kingdom dynasties (circa 3000-2150 B.C.) of Imperial Egypt. At today’s Convocation, the entry of the mace heralds the arrival of the academic procession.

THE PRESIDENTIAL CHAIN OF OFFICE (THE MEDALLION) The Presidential Chain of Office, worn by President Wayne A. I. Frederick, was presented to the University on the Centennial Celebration in 1967 by Trustee Emeritus Herman B. Wells and his mother, Mrs. Granville Wells. It is a visible symbol of the Office of the President and has been worn by all presidents of Howard University since 1967. The basic material of the chain is sterling silver, plated with hard gold. Both the University Seal and the Centennial Seal are appended to the chain.

10

LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING Lift every voice and sing, Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise.

High as the listening skies.

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun.

Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet, Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered; Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou Who has brought us thus far on the way; Thou Who has by Thy might, led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee, Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land.

—James Weldon Johnson (1900)

11