Howard University

Howard University
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Name	Howard University
Established	1867
Type	Private, federally chartered historically black research university
Endowment	$1.1 billion (2024)
President	Ben Vinson III
City	Washington, D.C.
Country	United States
Campus	Urban
Colors	Blue, white, and red
Nickname	Bison
Affiliations	NAICU, ORAU, TMCF

Howard University. Chartered by the United States Congress in 1867, it is a private, federally chartered historically black research university in Washington, D.C.. Founded shortly after the American Civil War by members of the First Congregational Society of Washington, D.C., its mission was to provide education for freedmen and their descendants. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and is consistently ranked among the top HBCUs.

History

The institution was founded on March 2, 1867, by an act of Congress, with its namesake being Oliver Otis Howard, a Union Army general and commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau. Its first classes were held in 1867 in a former dance hall and skittle alley. Early leadership under presidents like Charles B. Boynton and John Mercer Langston established its foundational academic and religious character. The university played a pivotal role during the Civil Rights Movement, with students and faculty, including Stokely Carmichael, actively participating in protests like the Freedom Rides and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In 2024, historian Ben Vinson III became its 18th president, succeeding Wayne A. I. Frederick.

Academics

It comprises 13 schools and colleges, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and the School of Divinity. It is particularly renowned for the Howard University College of Medicine, the Howard University School of Law, and the Cathy Hughes School of Communications. The university is a top producer of African American graduates who earn Ph.D. degrees in science and engineering disciplines. It operates several major research centers, such as the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center and the Howard University Hospital, which serves as a primary teaching facility.

Campus

The main campus spans 256 acres in Northwest Washington, D.C., centered on a historic quadrangle known as "The Yard." Key architectural landmarks include Founders Library, a National Historic Landmark, and the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel. The campus also houses the Howard University Gallery of Art and the Cramton Auditorium, a major venue for lectures and performances. The university's physical expansion has included the acquisition of the former Washington Hospital Center site to develop a new science and technology corridor. Its location in the nation's capital provides students with access to institutions like the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, and numerous federal agencies.

Notable alumni and faculty

Its alumni network, known as "The Mecca," includes U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, and former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall earned his law degree here and later taught at the Howard University School of Law. Distinguished faculty have included sociologist E. Franklin Frazier, philosopher Alain Locke, and surgeon Charles R. Drew, a pioneer in blood preservation. Other notable graduates encompass Ta-Nehisi Coates, Chadwick Boseman, David Dinkins, and Amanda Gorman.

Student life and organizations

Student life is anchored by over 200 student organizations, including the influential Student Government Association and the prestigious Howard University Choir. Greek life is prominent, with all nine organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council having active chapters. The campus newspaper, The Hilltop, is the oldest and one of the most respected black collegiate publications. Athletics teams, known as the Bison, compete in the NCAA Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, with rivalries against schools like Hampton University. Major annual events include Homecoming, which features the Howard University Homecoming Football Game and the Yardfest concert, drawing tens of thousands of attendees.

Category:Universities and colleges in Washington, D.C. Category:Historically black universities and colleges in the United States Category:1867 establishments in the United States