A Monthly Newsletter from the Office of the President
BISON BEAT
September 2017 | Volume 6 Issue 6
BACK TO THE CAPSTONE Edition
Dear Howard University Community, Welcome back to the Capstone, to Hilltop high, to the meeting place of Truth and Service. My objective as president is to drive this institution forward with a sense of purpose, guided by a vision that realizes our immeasurable potential. We have a proud, storied tradition of excellence in truth and service, and that legacy is embodied in every student, faculty and staff member. We are very excited to share with you all of the projects that are underway to help strengthen our vision toward the future. It is my hope that you will continue to support us on this journey toward positive change.
To prepare our students to be more competitive and to provide them with the resources they need to succeed, we have initiated programs such as Howard West, a three-month, summer Computer Science residency for rising juniors and seniors in the University’s Computer Science program. The residency includes a dedicated workspace on Google’s Mountain View campus and a generous stipend to cover housing and other expenses in Silicon Valley. The Bison STEM Scholars program (BSSP) was designed to attract and prepare highachieving high school students interested in studying a STEM-
Last month, we excitedly welcomed one of the largest freshmen classes in the University’s 150-year long history. With an average 3.52 grade point average, and 1200 SAT score, their academic prowess is certainly impressive, but even more impressive is their commitment to making a positive impact on society as community leaders, activists, artists, and athletes with limitless talent.
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related discipline in pursuit of a Ph.D. or a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree. BSSP will present opportunities for participants to become researchers, educators and leading practitioners. Amid unrest, I find hope in our students who represent all that is right about America. The celebration of Howard’s sesquicentennial has revealed that our legacy is filled with triumph in the midst of challenge. We are emboldened to prepare our students to reach their wildest dreams, and take risks to create amazing opportunities. I am continuously amazed by the strides Howard University makes with limited resources and an abundance of talent. We are a community strengthened by some of the most intelligent, hardworking, service-oriented students, faculty, staff, and partners like you in the world. We continue to tirelessly advocate for our University.
It is without a doubt that we have faced unprecedented challenges that present an opportunity to both prioritize and strengthen Howard University, and changes that have made room for new gains. It is my hope that you are just as confident as I am that we have the resolve that is necessary to move Howard University forward. Our legacy is strong and our future is promising. Your unwavering dedication and loyalty to this institution are more than appreciated.
Inside AROUND CAMPUS 5
Howard Welcomes Students to Campus
6
Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Lecture Series Revived
6
Howard Defeats UNLV in Historic Win
7
Howard Increases Scholarship Offers to Marching Band Students
8
Howard Tracks Professional Students Who Matriculate from HBCUs
8
Howard Partners with IBM on Network & Telecom Services
9
Alumni Giving Rate on the Rise & Gifts Peak at 5Year High
10
Howard Advances Strategic Planning Process
11
New Appointments
12
“The Journey�
Excellence in Truth and Service,
Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA PRESIDENT
September 2017 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | PAGE 3
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AROUND CAMPUS
Howard Welcomes Students to Campus The Department of Residence Life & University Housing welcomed the University’s largest incoming class in recent history and returning students to campus in August. We commend the more than 900 student volunteers that assisted in these efforts. This unique class represents 46 states and territories and 19 nations. With great anticipation for the Class of 2021, there have been many campus updates and renovations made to accommodate the students, including their housing needs. The Department of Residence Life & University Housing’s goal is to provide top-notch accommodations to students and occupy residence halls at maximum design capacity. Every effort is being made to meet the housing needs of all HU students, including: •
Temporary expansion of the capacity in each residence to accommodate increased demand
•
Progress of renovation projects promising modernization and expanded total available bed inventory:
•
•
Howard Plaza Towers project has reached its halfway point
•
West Towers reopened this fall, promising a full and modernized renovation
•
East Towers will reopen in the summer of 2018
Completion of the HVAC upgrades at Tubman Quadrangle’s Baldwin and Wheatley Halls
These are just a few signs of the progress that is underway. As we execute a modernization strategy for campus buildings, we will continue to restore, renovate, and deliver new accommodations for the entire campus community.
SEPTEMBER 2017 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | PAGE 5
Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Lecture Series Revived The Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Lecture Series is devoted to examining how the Howard community can best undertake collaborative work aimed at addressing contemporary social challenges. The Johnson Lecture Series and the work that emerges therefrom will enable Howard to maximize the talents of faculty committed to the type of transformative work they came to Howard to do. Those involved in the planning process deemed it important to undertake a series that might reach out to our sister HBCUs in a way that could recognize and support similar talent and commitment in our colleagues across institutions.
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Howard Defeats UNLV with a Historic Win On Saturday, September 2, the Howard University football team kicked off its 2017 season with an historic win against University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Led by coach Mike London, the Bison defeated the Rebels 43-40 at Sam Boyd stadium, despite being 45-point underdogs. Sports analysts are claiming this to be the biggest point-spread upset in college football history. The win exemplifies Coach London’s coined phrase – Mission Possible. Freshman quarterback, Caylin Newton rushed for 190 yards and passed for 140 in his debut game. Offensive Lineman, Gerald Wright also played a key role in Saturday’s win paving the way for 449 total offensive yards and no allowed sacks. In true Howard fashion, the University community was front and center during the season opener. The Showtime Marching Band, cheerleaders, and Ooh La La Dance Line ushered in an authentic aura of Howard University Bison pride to Sam Boyd stadium. Alumni across the country traveled to Las Vegas to support the football team in their season opener.
Howard Increases Scholarship Offers to Marching Band Students The University has significantly increased its commitment to the Choir and Band Special TalentBased Scholarships by 60 percent for the FY18 academic year, with an aid allocation of $822,800. An estimated 101 students will receive awards – up 40 percent from FY17. The Choir and Band Special TalentBased Scholarships are awarded based on performance ability. The scholarships are awarded on a peryear basis and ranged from $5,000 to $12,000 per student during the FY17 academic year. Awards totaling approximately $516,000 were distributed during FY17, covering 72 students.
SEPTEMBER 2017 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | PAGE 7
Howard Tracks Professional Students Who Matriculate from HBCUs
18%
Of the School of Law’s 415 incoming students, 18 percent attended an HBCU.
32%
Of the College of Medicine’s 119 incoming students, 32 percent attended an HBCU.
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Howard Partners with IBM on Network & Telecom Services After many months of planning and preparation, Howard recently inked a 7-year contract with IBM to manage Howard’s network and telecom systems. Specifically, IBM will provide 24x7x365 support with their engineers and architects. While supporting our current system, IBM will develop a completely new network for the University that will be placed into service beginning Winter Break 2017.
Alumni Giving Rate on the Rise & Gifts Peak at 5-Year High
11.2%
$4,229,380
The undergraduate participation rate is now 11.2 percent and has been trending upward since Howard appointed Dr. Frederick president.
The University received a significant amount of new pledges to the amount of $4,229,380.
Increase in Participation Rate
Outright Gifts
New Pledges
TOTAL New Gifts + Pledges
New Planned Gift Commitments
$10,050,000 $14,117,697 $7,553,367
SEPTEMBER 2017 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | PAGE 9
New Appointments NEW appointments
Tashni-Ann Dubroy, Ph.D.
EXECUTIVE VP & COO
Tashni-Ann Dubroy, Ph.D., was recently appointed executive vice president and COO of Howard University. In this Cabinet position, Dubroy will be responsible for the success of major operational areas of the University and process optimization across the organization. Dubroy will assume the position on October 2, 2017 and report directly to the president. Key duties include collaborating with President Frederick on strategic planning and ensuring that all initiatives align with Howard’s core values and established priorities. As the 17th President of Shaw University, Dubroy helped to revitalize campus operations, budget performance and enrollment. She restructured the organization to better align with strategic priorities. She is credited with Shaw University’s first enrollment increase in six years, and the closing of a multimillion dollar revenue gap, including the single largest total ever raised at an alumni event. An accomplished entrepreneur who has received numerous honors for her bold leadership, Dubroy earned a Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from North Carolina State University in 2007, and holds a Masters of Business Administration from Rutgers University in New Jersey. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Shaw University.
NEW appointments
David P. Bennett
VP OF DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI RELATIONS David P. Bennett was recently appointed Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR). In this Cabinet position, Bennett will collaborate with stakeholders across the University to build a best-inclass development program, strengthen charitable giving, increase revenue generation, and enhance alumni engagement. His key responsibilities will involve leading all aspects of the University’s fund development efforts, including budget and program administration, board recruitment and strategic philanthropic initiatives. Bennett reports directly to the president. Bennett most recently led all philanthropic programs globally for one of the world’s largest nonprofit organizations, the National Geographic Society. Serving as chief development officer, his responsibilities included managing a portfolio of trustees and high net-worth donors and prospects, overseeing all international fundraising efforts and providing direction for several key areas including principal and major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, and stewardship. Prior to joining National Geographic, Bennett was chief advancement officer of Safe Kids Worldwide, an international injury prevention organization. In this role, he was responsible for the fundraising, communications and public policy functions of an organization with over 350 affiliates in the United States and operations in 17 other countries. Bennett is a graduate of the University of Virginia. SEPTEMBER 2017 | Bison Beat Monthly Newsletter | PAGE 11
The Journey Howard University Student Scholarship Fund Pledge Card 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: ___________________________________________________________
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.
Tune-in here: http://whur.com/author/ jlatta/
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