July 2019 | Volume 8 Issue 5
A Monthly Newsletter from the Office of the President
BISON BEAT SCHOOL’S IN FOR SUMMER
Dear Howard University Community, The summer session is not a recess in most higher education environments, and this is especially true for the
ENHANCE ACADEMIC
EXCELLENCE
Howard community. We always encourage self care and healthy habits and yet, Howard University staff and
many faculty (even if they are not teaching) spend tireless hours working during the summer because planning for our students, both incoming and returning, is our top priority.
Across the University enterprise, departmental budgets are due in the summer months, along with strategic goals and assessment plans for the Fall semester. From implementing summer readiness plans, orienting
the incoming class, hosting students from across the world on campus in preparation for their academic and
professional pursuits, managing summer courses, and supporting our junior faculty in the writing and creative
works summer academy, we remain committed to supporting faculty research, student development, academic rigor, and retention.
Guided by strategic Pillar No. 1 of the Howard Forward 2024 strategic plan, Howard University will enhance
student success through transformation and innovation in teaching and learning that will be enhanced by the use of technology. This administration is poised to inspire new knowledge and lead in employing innovative
approaches to solve the world’s most contemporary problems through disciplines such as technology, science, healthcare, big data, business, liberal and fine arts, while providing an inclusive learning environment for students, faculty, staff and alumni.
As we look toward profound changes ahead of us and explore a new vision for the future, it is essential to
be mindful of the evolution required for Howard University to remain relevant and honor our mission-driven promise to meet the challenges of the communities around us and those from which we ascended.
Together we will enhance academic excellence, celebrate the best and brightest, and move Howard Forward.
Excellence in Truth and Service,
Wayne A. I. Frederick. M.D., MBA PRESIDENT
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Inside
AROUND CAMPUS 4
Summer Readiness Plans: Campus Housing
5
Summer Development for Junior Faculty
7
Summer Programs Prepare Students for Success
8
Bison STEM Scholars Welcomes Third Cohort
9
The Harriet Tubman Quadrangle Set to Reopen
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Rising Senior Becomes First Student at Howard to Receive Goldwater Scholarship
10 Distinguished Alumna and Professor Emerita Toni Morrison 12 Recent Appointment JULY 2019 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | PAGE 3
Summer Readiness Plans: Campus Housing The University has remained committed throughout summer 2019 to continue improvement projects across campus. A significant amount of progress has been made to updating the Steam Plant, addressing infrastructural risks and fulfilling the FY19 Facilities Renewal and Replacement Program commitments. As part of the facilities renewal plan, providing more housing options to the campus community and creating a true live/work/learn space for students, faculty and staff is a top priority. To fulfill that need, Howard now offers AXIS, a brand-new exclusive housing option for graduate students, faculty and staff, and associates on its main campus. This new housing option is located directly on Georgia Avenue and will open to new residents on Aug. 10, 2019. When complete, AXIS will offer a refreshed
Howard University is excited to reimagine this mixed-use asset into modern living space in the heart of Washington, D.C.,” said President Frederick. “AXIS will literally put our students, faculty and staff at the axis of a live, work, play environment steps away from main campus. This is just another realization of the Howard
Forward 2024 strategic plan that provides an invaluable living experience in the Howard community.” Each apartment is fully furnished with modern amenities, plenty of storage space and more. The building offers secured building entry with 24-hour front desk security, social lounge areas, study spaces, game room, on-site laundry facility, fitness center and yoga room. All amenities are covered in the flat amenity fee, which also includes electricity, water and high-speed internet, enabling residents to utilize their own entertainment options.
contemporary façade and 176 brand new studios and one-bedroom apartments with scenic views of Howard University’s iconic campus, expanding through downtown D.C. AXIS continues the initiative championed by President Wayne A. I. Frederick to offer a diverse mix of quality housing options for students and other members of the Howard community, enhance a dynamic “town and gown” environment, and improve the Georgia Avenue Corridor. Occupying floors 3-9 of the former Howard Center, AXIS aims to adaptively reuse a building in a fashion that modernizes and expands access to housing. Originally built in 1975, the building once served as a hotel, restaurant venue and most recently as administrative offices for the University.
“This is not your typical hall that most students are used to at Howard University. AXIS is a new living experience exclusive for Bison graduate students, faculty, staff and associates,” stated HU Real Estate Executive Anthony Freeman. “It is an independent living experience without resident assistants, live-in hall directors or visitor policies and still offers opportunities to be engrained in the Bison community.” Planning is underway for Howard University’s Grand Opening Celebration. Details are forthcoming.
Summer Development for Junior Faculty In fall 2015, when the Office of Faculty Development was established, one of its main initiatives was to create a comprehensive program that would help develop Howard’s junior faculty. It was President Frederick’s goal to create a space for junior faculty—both tenure and non-tenure track—to not only hone their skills in academia, but also create a space for them to connect with senior faculty members, creating a 360 approach for their professional development. With that in mind, Dean Okianer Dark, Esq., associate provost for faculty development and professor of law, launched the Junior Faculty Writing and Creative Works Summer Academy. The program welcomed its first cohort in summer 2016 and “is designed to help junior faculty build their future in academia and gain expertise in their field of study,” said Dean Dark.
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The summer academy is the ultimate opportunity for junior faculty to work collaboratively across disciplines and to explore different approaches to advance and evaluate scholarship. Participants , known as Faculty Scholars, have come from the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Communication, School of Divinity and others. Paired with Scholar Coaches--Howard’s senior faculty and an invaluable part of the program--from outside their discipline, Faculty Scholars spend their summer researching and developing a project/topic of their choice, receiving guidance and feedback from their coaches along the way. From interior design to race and justice to religious education to genetics and genomics, the breadth of research that the scholars perform are vast. At the completion of the program, which ends in mid-September, faculty scholars are encouraged to submit completed projects for scholarly publication and exhibitions. In addition to research, writing and mentorship, the scholars can take advantage of a host of activities throughout the summer that contribute to their professional and academic development. From the pre-retreat in May to the closing celebration in October, there are a series of events to complement their time in the program. This year’s cohort, which comprises 25 Faculty Scholars and 14 Scholar Coaches, visited The Library of Congress, where they applied for library cards, learned more about how to get help from reference librarians, and had lunch with the reference librarian in their specialty. In addition, on-campus brown bag lunch series brings to campus speakers who discuss networking, promoting scholarly accomplishments, and other topics in academia. Barbara Fears, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Divinity and member of the 2018 cohort said: “Participating in the HU Junior Faculty Writing and Creative Works Academy was professionally enriching. The inquiries and constructive feedback received from Scholar Coaches outside my discipline enabled me to address the interests of a broader audience. Also, as a recent graduate of a predominantly white institution, I especially appreciated the support of female coaches in affirming and/or encouraging powerful word choices to discuss the role of race in faith-formation.” Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the summer academy is free for scholars and coaches, and junior faculty who complete the program are welcomed to reapply. To be considered for the summer 2020 cohort, applications, which will be available in December, must be submitted online by the end of January.
Summer Programs Prepare Students for Long-Term Success Every summer Howard serves as the host HBCU institution for The Pre-Professional Summer Enrichment Programs. An intensive, five-week immersive program in pre-health, pre-law and pre-Ph.D., it accepts recent graduates and rising seniors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. These enrichment programs, which are free to participants and covers the cost of GRE and LSAT prep courses, books, housing and a stipend, provides a rigorous academic curriculum that prepares students for law, pharmaceutical, and doctoral programs and equips them with the skills to ensure success on admissions exams. To date, 32 HBCUs and more than 200 students have been impacted by Howard’s Pre-Professional Summer Enrichment Program. Taylor Rainey, a 2019 Howard University graduate, who aspires to have a career in government and policy, with a focus on global heating/climate, participated in this year’s PrePh.D. Summer Enrichment Program (PPSEP), which was held May 21-June 21. . It is her goal to do research and find solutions for disenfranchised communities around the world that are impacted by dangerous climate heating. She shares her experience with PPSEP.
How did the Pre-Ph.D. Scholars program prepare you for the upcoming academic year? The program has given me confidence to be competitive in graduate school and provided me with a better understanding about how to prepare my graduate school applications. In the program, I raised my GRE Verbal and Quantitative score, while improving my research writing skills and personal essay. This program quelled any doubts or questions I had about going from undergraduate studies to a Ph.D. program, and it has given me motivation and so much more.
What’s the most valuable thing that you learned in the Pre-Ph.D. Scholars Program? The most valuable thing I learned in the program was to believe in myself. Although I am determined to get my Ph.D., it was through the support and teaching from the professors in the program that I am now extremely confident to apply to Ph.D. programs immediately after undergrad. There’s a lot of doubt and uncertainty you experience being a young scholar, especially a young Black scholar. When Black professors mentor you, like in this program, you're not only getting great advice, but you're witnessing firsthand all the possibilities that are available upon successful completion of your education. There are different types of professors in the world with distinct personalities, research and projects, especially here at Howard. Whoever you are, wherever you come from, and whatever you want to do in life, you can enter academia and change someone's life. You only need to believe in yourself and be confident!
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Bison STEM Scholars Welcomes Third Cohort
The Harriet Tubman Quadrangle Set to Reopen A restoration project at the Harriet Tubman Quadrangle—a group of historic residence halls on campus— temporarily closed the all-female complex last fall to improve residence life experiences for students.
Earlier this summer, Howard welcomed its third cohort
These residence halls (Baldwin, Crandall, Frazier, Truth, and Wheatley), affectionately known as The Quad, will
(Cohort 3) of Bison STEM
reopen this fall for female freshman students.
scholar students. The science, technology, engineering and math scholars were
Students can expect to see improvements to infrastructure, individual rooms, communal restrooms, and
welcomed to campus for its annual Summer Bridge
recreational/lounge spaces. The renovations will not only provide updated living and learning spaces for female
Program—a critical component of BSSP that transitions
freshman from the Class of 2023, but it will also continue to provide a space for these women to build and
the scholars from high school to a university setting and
develop long-lasting bonds of sisterhood and friendship.
encourages them to coalesce as a team, and as a family.
Rising Senior Becomes First Student at Howard to Receive Goldwater Scholarship
THE NEW COHORT COMPRISES:
Howard University rising senior Jaquesta Adams has been named a 2019-20 Goldwater Scholar, making her the first student in Howard’s history to receive the prestigious award. The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established
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THE NO. OF STATES REPRESENTED IN COHORT 3
by Congress in 1986 to serve as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Sen. Barry Goldwater. Goldwater Scholarships are awarded to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics
TOTAL NUMBER OF BISON STEM SCHOLAR STUDENTS
NEW STUDENTS
and engineering. It is a preeminent undergraduate award in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. Adams is working toward a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with minors in math and biology. As a member of the Clayborne Research Group at Howard University, she performs simulations at the interface of chemistry and biology.
14 MEN
1384
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AVERAGE SAT SCORE
AVERAGE ACT SCORE
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JAQUESTA ADAM S
Adams is also a member of the Beta Kappa Chi Honor Society, the American Chemical Society, and the National Organization of Black Chemists and
15 WOMEN
Chemical Engineers.
JULY 2019 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | PAGE 9
Distinguished Alumna and Professor Emerita
Among the universities where she held teaching posts
Charter Day Convocation in 1995, Morrison honored
are Yale University, Bard College, Rutgers University, and
her symbiotic relationship with the University as the
Howard University. The New York State Board of Regents
orator and an honorary degree recipient. She spoke these
appointed her to the Albert Schweitzer Chair in the
words, “Howard University, both as an institution and as
Humanities at the State University of New York at Albany
a population, has had an extraordinary journey. It entered
in 1984, a post she held until 1989. In 1988, she was the
the world in an interventionist mode and has continued
This week, we pause to honor the life of our mother, sister, and friend in belles-lettres, Toni Morrison. She was a daughter of Howard and gift to the world.
Obert C. Tanner Lecturer at the University of Michigan
throughout its history to engage with, debate and respond
and the Jeanette K. Watson Distinguished Professor at
to the most salient, the most passionately held and the
Syracuse University. In 1989, Morrison joined the faculty
most urgent issues of this nation.”
Goheen Professor in Humanities, where she stayed until
On April 5, 2019, the Toni Morrison Society placed its
Born Chloe Anthony Wofford, Toni Morrison was a
she transferred to emeritus status in 2006.
25th bench at Howard University as a part of its Bench
Toni Morrison
of Princeton University and was appointed the Robert F.
by the Road Project. We are pleased that we were able to
student at Howard from 1949-53, during which time she assumed the nickname "Toni." In addition to her academic pursuits in the departments of English and Classics, she was a member of the Modern Dance Club,
Morrison was an English major, so in every way, her essence was connected to mission. She was a truth seeker; she sought to shatter the barriers of institutional racism. She also benefited from the tradition of argument in the finest sense of the word, which was evident in her approach to prose. Both then and now, her words challenge our consciousness, as well as move, heal, inspire, and provide light in darkness. Ms. Morrison earned a bachelor's degree from Howard University in 1953 and a master's degree from Cornell University in 1955. In 1958, Morrison returned to alma mater to teach in the Department of English. She made a monumental impact on students as a young, Black woman faculty member—a significant undertaking.
honor her in this way and that she honored us with this
Académie Universelle Des Culture, a trustee of the New
remembrance of the significance of Howard in the field of
York Public Library, a member of the American Academy
education.
and Institute of the Arts and Letters, and the American
Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and the Howard Players.
Ms. Morrison was also a founding member of the
It was while she was a lecturer at Howard, in fact, that she joined a writers' group and shared with that group a short story, which later became her first novel The Bluest Eye (1970). Morrison was a member of the distinguished American Philosophical Society, the International Parliament of Writers and the Authors' Guild, and the Africa Watch and Helsinki Watch Committees on Human Rights. She served as a senior editor at Random House for twenty years, where she published writers like Angela Davis, Henry Dumas, Toni Cade Bambara, and her fellow Howard alumnae, Lucille Clifton. She also supported the publication of Kwame Ture’s Stokely Speaks, where he acknowledges her impact as a young professor at Howard when he was a student here.
Academy of Arts and Sciences. She served on the
A devoted mother, grandmother, and aunt, Ms. Morrison
National Council of the Arts for six years.
summarized her sentiments regarding impermanence thusly:
Morrison's life and work are emblematic of the infinite opportunities that are made possible at Howard University. That is not to say that without Howard she would not have become an award-winning novelist, the first African American woman to earn the Nobel
"We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives."
Prize in literature, recipient of the Presidential Medal of
She did language, and we are all immeasurably the better
Freedom—the country's highest honor—or the many other
for it.
prestigious awards, recognitions, and honorary degrees awarded to her. We are proud, however, of the role the
Though she has left this earth, we remain grateful for
University played to make possible the gift that was Toni
the continuous gift of her words on the page, which will
Morrison. The gifts Howard was able to give to her, she
undoubtedly inspire generations. Morrison's contributions
has given to the world. She is our national treasure.
to literature are memorialized through the halls of this institution, on lesson plans, in the minds and hearts of
Ms. Morrison was the author of nearly one dozen novels,
our students, faculty, staff, and alumni and will never be
several volumes of critical essays, children’s books,
forgotten.
plays, a song cycle, and an opera that was rooted in the
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Black experience. In 1979, she received a Distinguished
We will always love our mother, sister, and friend. Our
Alumni Achievement Award, and on the occasion of
Beloved.
JULY 2019 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | PAGE 11
Recent Appointment
The Race Continues
ANDR EA D. JAC K S ON A P P OI N TED DEA N O F T HE CO L L EGE OF D E N T I S T RY
President Frederick, so far, has participated in eight races
Through more than 30 years of service at Howard University, Dr. Jackson
with School Supply 5k. Join him on September 21 for the
to raise support and awareness for Sickle Cell disease. He recorded his best time so far during his most recent run race hosted by the Howard University Center for Sickle
has served in positions of increasing responsibility at the college, including
Cell Disease to be held at Fort Washington Park.
most recently as interim dean, associate dean of clinical affairs and professor and chair of the Department of Prosthodontics. “As interim dean, Dr. Jackson has performed admirably, and gained the trust and confidence of faculty, students and staff alike,” said Howard University President Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick. “We congratulate Dean Jackson as she assumes this new role of leadership for the College of Dentistry.
Howard University has appointed Andrea D. Jackson, DDS, as dean of the College of Dentistry, where she has served as dean in an interim role since July 2018.
“It is a great honor and I am proud to serve as dean of the Howard University College of Dentistry,” Dr. Jackson said. “Our college has trained more African American dentists than any other dental school in the United States.” Dr. Jackson completed both her Bachelor of Science degree in zoology, and Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Howard University. She then completed a certificate in general dentistry at Howard University Hospital, as well as a certificate and Master of Science degree in prosthodontics at Georgetown University School of Dentistry.
On Beat with @HUPrez17 THE NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION hosted
FIVE 2019 HOWARD GRADUATES AND RISING SENIOR were named finalists in the National Association of Black Journalists Salute to Excellence Awards for their fall 2018 newscast
the 19th Annual Crump Law Camp for high school
that was produced under the instruction of
students at Howard University School of Law.
former CNN News Producer and Associate
THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK AND THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS are nominated for 2019 HBCU Awards. The School of Social Work received a
Professor Jennifer Thomas.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND ADVENTIST HEALTHCARE announced
finalist nomination for Best Social Work Program and
they have signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to
the School of Business received a finalist nomination for
explore partnership opportunities. The agreement
Best Business Program.
outlines that the two organizations will enter
FORMER FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA
exclusive conversations to determine how they could best collaborate to serve the D.C. region.
hosted her annual Beating the Odds Summit on Howard’s campus to support and inspire firstgeneration college-bound students. The event is part of the Reach Higher Initiative she launched five years ago.
SCHOOL OF DIVINITY PROFESSOR ALICE OGDEN BELLIS’S book Proverbs was named Book of the Year by the Association of Catholic Publishers in its 2019 Excellence in Publishing Awards.
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HOWARD UNIVERSITY STUDENT AID FUND
I AM PLEASED TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING GIFT TO THE HOWARD UNIVERSITY STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND. (Please make checks payable to Howard University.)
Enclosed is my gift of $ Name: _____________________________________________________________ Title: ______________________________________________________________ Company/Organization: _____________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________ If new address, please check: ¨
Home Phone: _______________________________________________________ Office Phone: _______________________________________________________ Mobile Phone: ______________________________________________________
JOIN US NEXT TIME… ON
“The Journey” “The Journey” is a weekly 15-minute program hosted by Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, 17th President of Howard University. A family man, scholar, surgeon, leader, servant of the world, Frederick engages in dynamic dialogue with local and national guests, learning about their journeys and their thoughts on a full range of issues of the day. Listeners can hear conversations about raising boys to manhood, encouraging women in leadership, detecting cancer, mentoring youth, preventing domestic violence, the value of a village and much more.
T U NE -IN HE R E
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Email: _____________________________________________________________ Class Year:__________ College/Program:________________________________ PLEASE CHARGE MY CARD: Visa
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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