Howard University: Mecca of Black education

Ebony, May, 2003 by Kevin Chappell

The Howard vision began in November 1866, shortly after the end of the Civil War when a group of ministers and abolitionists, Black and White, persuaded Congress to address the needs and aspirations of the freedmen. The institution was named for General Oliver O. Howard, the commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau. The first class of four students graduated in 1870. The first Black president was the legendary Mordecai Johnson, who was inaugurated in 1926.

It wasn't until 1928 that Congress authorized an annual federal appropriation to Howard for construction, development, improvement and maintenance. Today, 35 percent of Howard's annual budget comes from the Federal Government, which still leaves a great need for additional funds. In recent years, President Swygert has instituted several cost-cutting measures at the university and initiated a $250 million campaign. President Swygert says that although "Howard is a national university chartered by the U.S. Congress," federal support "does not meet all our needs as the only HCBU designated in the highest research category. We must call upon our alumni and friends for the additional resources needed to finance scholarships, fellowships and endowed chairs for our students and faculty."

University officials say African-Americans are increasingly responsive to their appeals. At the last Charter Day Celebration, 10 African-Americans gave $1 million apiece. Eight, including Chairman Frank Savage and President Swygert, were alumni.

The university received a tremendous boost recently when Johnson Publishing Company Publisher and Founder John H. Johnson donated $4 million to the university for the building of a new School of Communications. Founded 31 years ago, the School of Communications is one of the largest at Howard, and graduates the largest number of Black communications majors in the country. The new high-tech building, scheduled to break ground next year, will be named in honor of Johnson, a journalism pioneer who started his first magazine, Negro Digest, 61 years ago, and published the first issue of EBONY magazine 58 years ago.

"I have been a big admirer of Howard ever since I attended the first NAACP meeting in Baltimore when Thurgood Marshall was named assistant counsel," Johnson says. "I knew that he was a Howard graduate, and I have been so inspired by the marks that he and so many other alumni have made on this nation. I am honored to make a contribution that will help to continue the great journalism tradition to which I have dedicated my life."

Jannette Dates, the dean of the School of Communications, says Johnson's gift will permit the school to move forward at a much faster pace than expected. "We are so excited to be able to break ground," she says. "We've worked about four years on curriculum, and deciding what we wanted in the new building. We want students to be prepared," she continued, "to be competitive when they get out of here."

Another area of study Howard takes pride in is its School of Business. One of the first accredited business schools in Washington, D.C., it trains students to go out and make a place for themselves in the world of business. In addition to strenuous academic courses, the school hosts executives from more than 200 companies each year.