Howard University: A Legacy of Veritas et Utilitas

Howard University, a cornerstone of Black intellectual and cultural life, stands as a testament to the power of education and the pursuit of truth and service. With a rich history and a commitment to "Veritas et Utilitas" (Truth and Service), Howard has shaped generations of leaders, innovators, and change-makers. Offering more than 130 areas of study across 14 schools and colleges, the university provides a comprehensive educational experience rooted in its unique legacy.

A Foundation of Excellence

Howard University's impact extends far beyond its campus in Washington, D.C. Its alumni have made significant contributions to various fields, leaving an indelible mark on society. The university’s legacy is woven with threads of academic rigor, social justice, and a dedication to uplifting communities.

Notable Alumni: A Tapestry of Achievement

The achievements of Howard University alumni are a testament to the institution's commitment to excellence. From medicine to politics, science to the arts, Howard graduates have consistently broken barriers and achieved extraordinary success.

Dr. Patricia Bath (Class of 1968): Pioneer in Ophthalmology

Dr. Patricia Bath, a 1968 graduate of Howard University's medical school, was an ophthalmologist, inventor, researcher, and humanitarian whose career was marked by numerous "firsts". Born in 1942, her interest in science was nurtured from a young age. Her research began at 16, when she won an award for her discoveries at a cancer research workshop.

In 1974, Dr. Bath became the first woman ophthalmologist appointed to the faculty of the University of California. In 1983, she broke another barrier by becoming the first woman chair of an ophthalmology residency program in the United States. Dedicated to bringing ophthalmic health services to underserved communities, Dr. Bath created community ophthalmology, a discipline that brought volunteer ophthalmic health services to thousands of people who otherwise would not have been able to afford treatment. In 1976, she co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness, an organization based on the principle that eyesight is a basic human right. She also invented the Laserphaco Probe, a surgical tool that uses lasers to treat cataracts with less pain and more precision than previous treatments.

Read also: Tuition and Fees at Howard

Beth Brown, Ph.D. (Class of 1991): Astrophysicist and Educator

Beth Brown, Ph.D., (Class of 1991) was an astrophysicist and educator who studied elliptical galaxies and worked on multiple outreach projects. Born in Virginia in 1969, Brown cultivated a fascination with science from an early age, starting with her interest in science fiction. She studied astrophysics at Howard University, undertaking two internships at NASA during her undergraduate years. She went on to graduate school at the University of Michigan, where she became the first black woman to get a doctorate in astronomy from the institution.

An astronomy course she developed during her graduate education is still taught and remains popular at the University of Michigan. After attaining her doctorate, Brown was hired as an astrophysicist at NASA, where she collected data on elliptical galaxies. Brown’s wonder at the night sky translated into a desire to share that wonder with others. She represented NASA on television interviews, combining her warm presence with her astronomical expertise to present information on astronomy to the general public in an accessible manner. She was passionate about helping minorities to succeed in physics.

Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (Class of 1973): Champion of Democracy

Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, a 1973 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science, was a lawyer, orator, and advocate who dedicated his life to preserving American democracy. Born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1951, to former sharecroppers, Cummings understood adversity. With the encouragement of his mother, he became the first African American in Maryland history to be named Speaker Pro Tempore. He then went to law school at the University of Maryland. He maintained a close relationship with Howard University throughout his lifetime.

Cummings practiced law and served in the Maryland House of Delegates for 14 years. In 1996, he was elected to the Federal House of Representatives, where he advocated for the working class in his Black-majority district. He became a powerful voice against voter suppression, launching investigations in Georgia, Texas, and Kansas, as well as monitoring organizations accused of targeting voters of color. The issue of voter suppression was personal to Cummings, who vowed to fight until death to defend the right to vote. He passed away in October of 2019.

David Norman Dinkins (Class of 1950): First African American Mayor of New York City

David Norman Dinkins, a 1950 graduate with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics, was an American politician, lawyer, and author who served as the first African American Mayor of New York City from 1990 to 1993. Born on July 10, 1927, in Trenton, New Jersey, Dinkins served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He used veteran educational benefits to earn his bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Howard University in 1950. He later obtained his law degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1956.

Dinkins was a founding member of the Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus of New York State, the Council of Black Elected Democrats of New York State, and the One Hundred Black Men. He was also vice president of the United States Conference of Mayors, and a member-at-large of the Black Leadership Forum. Dinkins passed away in November of 2020 at age 93.

Vice President Kamala D. Harris (Class of 1986): Breaking Barriers in Politics

Vice President Kamala D. Harris, a 1986 graduate, refers to her time at Howard as her “formative years” where she first was introduced to her love of politics. After earning an undergraduate degree from Howard University and a law degree from the University of California, Hastings, she began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. In 2003, Sen. Harris became the District Attorney of the City and County of San Francisco.

Having completed two terms as the District Attorney of San Francisco, Kamala was elected as the first African-American and first woman to serve as California's Attorney General. In this role, she worked tirelessly to hold corporations accountable and protect the state’s most vulnerable people. In 2017, Harris was sworn in as a United States Senator for California, the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history. Harris serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on the Budget. On January 21, 2019, she formally announced her run for president and hosted her first press conference at her alma mater, Howard University. Harris’s historic selection as the Democratic vice presidential candidate was announced in August of 2020. Harris is the first Black woman and the first Asian-American to run for vice president on a major party ticket in the United States. Harris’s candidacy represents a milestone opportunity for our democracy to acknowledge the leadership Black women have always exhibited, but has too often been ignored. She was inaugurated as Vice President of the United States on January 20th, 2021.

Taraji P. Henson (Class of 1995): Award-Winning Actress and Advocate

Taraji P. Henson, a 1995 graduate, is an Academy Award-nominated actress, producer, and mental health advocate. She was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in an apartment that she described as “one step up from the projects”. Henson’s path to an acting career was not always clear-cut. After graduating high school, she pursued a degree in electrical engineering at North Carolina University, but dropped out after failing a math class.

After graduating from Howard in 1995, Henson moved to Los Angeles, where she took on an office job and landed small roles in various television series. Her breakthrough role came in 2001, when she starred in the film, “Baby Boy.” From there, her repertoire of film roles grew, and in 2008, she was nominated for an Academy Award for her role as the titular character’s mother in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” She focused primarily on film until 2015, when she returned to television in “Empire” as Cookie Lyon, a role for which she received an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe award.

Zora Neale Hurston (Class of 1920): Literary Icon and Cultural Ambassador

Zora Neale Hurston, a 1920 graduate, is considered one of the foremost female writers of the 20th century. She was born in Notasulga, Alabama on January 15, 1891. At a young age, her family relocated to Eatonville, Florida where they flourished. Her father became one of the town’s first mayors. In 1917, Hurston enrolled at Morgan College, where she completed her high school studies. She then attended Howard University and earned an associate’s degree.

Hurston was an active student and participated in student government. She also co-founded the school’s renowned newspaper, The Hilltop. In 1925, Hurston received a scholarship to Barnard College and graduated with a BA in anthropology. During her time in New York City, Hurston befriended other writers such as Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen. Together, they joined the black cultural renaissance taking place in Harlem. Hurston dedicated herself to promoting and studying Black culture. She traveled to Haiti and Jamaica to study the religions of the African diaspora. Her findings were included in several newspapers throughout the United States. Hurston often incorporated her research into her fictional writing. As an author, Hurston started publishing short stories as early as 1920. Unfortunately, her work was ignored by the mainstream literary audience for years. One of her most popular works was “Their Eyes were Watching God.” Hurston broke literary norms by focusing her work on the experience of a Black woman.

Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael): Civil Rights Activist

Kwame Ture (formerly Stokely Carmichael) was a civil rights activist, writer, and orator known as a lead figure within the Pan-African and Black nationalist movements, and for coining the slogan, “Black power.” Ture was born in Trinidad in 1941 and immigrated to New York City in 1952. In high school, watching a televised sit-in for civil rights inspired him to join the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and participate in sit-ins across the United States.

During his freshman year at Howard University, where he majored in philosophy, he participated in his first Freedom Ride. After graduating from Howard in 1964, Ture became a field organizer with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). He played a vital role in the Freedom Summer, a campaign to register black voters in the Deep South. However, he eventually became disillusioned with the slow pace of progress and continued police violence faced by activists for integration. In 1966, Ture gave the speech wherein he first spoke the words “Black Power,” calling for cultural, political, and economic self-determination for Black people around the world. He joined the Black Panther Party and journeyed around the world to visit with revolutionary leaders, eventually ending up in Conakry, Guinea, where he changed his name from Stokely Carmichael to Kwame Ture in 1969. There, he dedicated the rest of his life to Pan-African unity.

Contact Information

While this article focuses on the legacy and notable alumni of Howard University, specific contact information can be found on the university's official website. This includes contact details for various departments, schools, and offices. The website also provides information on admissions, academic programs, and campus services.

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