By
Eliza Boyd
Founded in 1867 in Washington, D.C., and named after General Oliver Otis Howard, Howard University was created with the goal of providing higher education opportunities for Black Americans. Howard University began holding classes on May 1, 1867 for five White female students, the daughters of the school’s founders. By the end of its first five years, it educated over 150,000 formerly enslaved Black Americans.
“Oliver O. Howard (born Nov. 8, 1830...—died Oct. 26, 1909...) was a U.S. Union officer in the American Civil War (1861–65) who headed the Freedmen’s Bureau (1865–72) to help rehabilitate former slaves during the period of Reconstruction.”
Howard University remains a leading HBCU with strong programs in areas like business, engineering, and the arts. Both faculty and students are engaged in reasearch, tackling important issues in healthcare, technology, and social justice. The campus offers a vibrant and diverse student experience with various organizations and events. Howard also has a strong alumni network providing ongoing support and inspiration of the student body.
| Famous Howard University Alumni | ||
| Name | Year Graduated | Profession |
|---|---|---|
| Kamala Harris | 1986 | Politican (Currently Vice President of the United States) |
| Chadwick Boseman | 2000 | Actor |
| Roberta Flack | 1958 | Musician |
| Taraji P. Henson | 1995 | Actress |
| Thurgood Marshall | 1933 | Former Supreme Court Justice |
| Toni Morrison | 1953 | Author |
| Phylicia Rashad | 1970 | Actress |