History of Howard University in Timeline

Howard University, located in Washington, D.C., is a private, historically black, federally chartered research university. Designated as an R1 doctoral university, it demonstrates a high level of research activity. The university holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, ensuring quality and standards in its academic programs.

December 2, 1907: Carnegie Grant for First Library

On December 2, 1907, Andrew Carnegie granted $50,000 to establish Howard University's first library.

1924: Calvin Coolidge Speaks at Howard University

In 1924, Calvin Coolidge became the first sitting president to speak at Howard University. His graduation speech, titled "The Progress of a People", highlighted the accomplishments of African-Americans since the Civil War.

1924: First Official Howard Homecoming

In 1924, Howard University held its first official homecoming. It takes place every fall semester with a new theme developed by the homecoming committee.

1924: Founding of 'The Hilltop' Newspaper

In 1924, The Hilltop, Howard University's student newspaper, was founded by Zora Neale Hurston.

1925: Publication of 'The New Negro'

In 1925, Alain Locke, chair of the Department of Philosophy and first African American Rhodes Scholar, authored 'The New Negro', which helped to usher in the Harlem Renaissance.

The New Negro

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1926: Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Becomes President

In 1926, Mordecai Wyatt Johnson became Howard University's first African-American president.

1928: Establishment of the Howard University Gallery of Art

In 1928, Howard University's board of trustees established the Howard University Gallery of Art.

1932: Publication of The Journal of Negro Education

In 1932, Howard University began publishing The Journal of Negro Education.

1937: Carnegie Building Library Closure

In 1937, Howard University's first library closed which was located in what today is the Carnegie Building.

1942: Students Pioneer "stool-sitting" Technique

Beginning in 1942, Howard University students pioneered the "stool-sitting" technique of occupying stools at a local cafeteria which denied service to African Americans, blocking other customers waiting for service.

January 1943: Students Organize Sit-ins and Pickets

In January 1943, Howard University students began to organize regular sit-ins and pickets around Washington, D.C. at cigar stores and cafeterias which refused to serve them because of their race.

1944: End of Sit-in Protests

In the fall of 1944, the student sit-ins and pickets around Washington, D.C., which began in January 1943, came to an end.

1960: End of Mordecai Wyatt Johnson's Presidency

In 1960, Mordecai Wyatt Johnson's tenure as Howard University's first African-American president came to an end.

1965: Griffith Stadium Closure

In 1965, Griffith Stadium, the site on which Howard University Hospital was built, was closed.

1965: Lyndon B. Johnson Addresses Graduating Class

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered a speech to the graduating class at Howard University. He outlined his plans for civil rights legislation and endorsed aggressive affirmative action.

1975: Opening of Howard University Hospital

In 1975, Howard University Hospital opened on the eastern end of campus, built on the site of the former Griffith Stadium.

1975: Jeanne Sinkford Appointed Dean

In 1975, Jeanne Sinkford became the first female dean of any American dental school when she was appointed as the dean of Howard University's school of dentistry.

1975: Freedman's Hospital Closes and Howard University Hospital Opens

In 1975, the historic Freedman's Hospital closed after 112 years, and Howard University Hospital opened, continuing as HUCM's primary teaching hospital.

1976: Birthplace of the Quiet Storm Radio Format

In 1976, WHUR-FM became the birthplace of the quiet storm late-night radio format via its student intern Melvin Lindsey. The format was named after the Smokey Robinson song and album, both titled "Quiet Storm" and "A Quiet Storm", respectively.

1986: Howard University Produces Rhodes Scholar

In 1986, Howard University produced one of its four Rhodes Scholars between 1986 and 2017.

1989: Student Protest Against Lee Atwater's Appointment

In 1989, Howard University students protested the appointment of Lee Atwater to the board of trustees. The protests led to the resignation of both Atwater and Howard's President, James E. Cheek.

1997: Absorption of the College of Fine Arts

Chadwick Boseman led protests against the 1997 absorption of the College of Fine Arts into the College of Arts & Sciences. from his days as a student in the late 1990s through his death from cancer in 2020.

1998: Howard University Produces Marshall Scholar

In 1998, Howard University began its run of producing academic scholars, including a Marshall Scholar, between 1998 and 2009.

April 2007: Faculty Senate Calls for President's Ouster

In April 2007, the head of the faculty senate called for the ouster of Howard University President H. Patrick Swygert, citing a state of crisis at the school.

May 2008: Sidney Ribeau Appointed President

In May 2008, Howard University announced that Sidney Ribeau of Bowling Green State University would succeed Swygert as president.

June 2008: Swygert's Retirement Announcement

In June 2008, Swygert officially retired from his position as president of Howard University.

2009: Howard University Scholar Production

By 2009, between 1998 and 2009, Howard University had produced a Marshall Scholar, two Truman Scholars, twenty-two Fulbright Scholars and ten Pickering Fellows.

2013: Crisis Allegations and Calls for Dismissal

In 2013, university insiders alleged that Howard University was in crisis. There were also calls for the dismissal of the university's senior vice president for administration, chief financial officer, and treasurer due to fiscal mismanagement.

July 2014: Wayne A. I. Frederick Named President

In July 2014, Howard's Board of Trustees named Wayne A. I. Frederick as the school's 17th president.

May 2016: President Obama's Commencement Address

In May 2016, President Barack Obama delivered a commencement address at Howard University, encouraging graduates to become advocates for racial change.

2016: Opening of the Interdisciplinary Research Building (IRB)

In 2016, Howard University opened the Interdisciplinary Research Building (IRB).

2016: Yardfest Returns

In 2016, after a two-year hiatus, the Yardfest tradition returned as part of Howard University's Homecoming week.

2017: Howard University Produces Rhodes Scholar

By 2017, Howard University had produced four Rhodes Scholars between 1986 and 2017.

2017: Google's Howard University West Residency Program

In 2017, Google Inc. announced it had established a pilot residency program named "Howard University West" on its campus in Mountain View, California, to help increase underrepresented minorities in the tech industry.

2017: Establishment of Bison STEM Scholars Program

In 2017, Howard established the Bison STEM Scholars Program to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in high-level STEM research careers.

2018: Expansion and Renaming of the Residency Program

In 2018, Google's "Howard University West" residency program expanded to a full academic year program and was renamed "Tech Exchange" to include other minority-serving institutions.

2018: Student Sit-In Over Misappropriated Funds

In 2018, nearly 1,000 students held a sit-in demanding action regarding the administration's use of funding after a post revealed financial aid fraud. The protest ended with promises from officials to meet demands and led to a Department of Education investigation.

July 2020: MacKenzie Scott's Donation

In July 2020, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $40 million to Howard University, the largest single donation in the university's history.

2020: Bison STEM Scholars Program Renamed

As of 2020, the Bison STEM Scholars Program was renamed the Martha and Bruce Karsh Stem Scholars Program (KSSP) following the donation from the family's foundation.

2020: Chadwick Boseman's Death

Chadwick Boseman led protests against the absorption of the College of Fine Arts into the College of Arts & Sciences from his days as a student in the late 1990s through his death from cancer in 2020.

2020: Financial Aid for First-Year Students

In 2020, 82% of first-year students at Howard University received need-based financial aid.

May 2021: College of Fine Arts Named After Chadwick A. Boseman

In May 2021, Howard University announced that the newly re-established college of fine arts would be named the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, honoring the actor and alumnus.

October 2021: Student Protest Over Housing Conditions

In October 2021, Howard University students protested the mold, mice, and substandard conditions in campus residential buildings. They demanded improved living situations and representation on the board of trustees.

2021: Freshman Class Acceptance Rate

In the fall of 2021, Howard University had 29,391 applicants, with 10,362 (35%) being accepted.

March 2022: $785 Million Investment Announcement

In March 2022, Howard University announced it would spend $785 million over four years to construct new buildings and renovate existing ones on campus.

July 2022: Disney Storytellers Fund Established

In July 2022, the Walt Disney Company announced it established the Disney Storytellers Fund at Howard University's Cathy Hughes School of Communications and Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts to support creative student projects.

October 2022: Expansion of Disney Storytellers Fund to Other HBCUs

In October 2022, the Disney Storytellers Fund expanded to other HBCU campuses beyond Howard University.

2023: Bison STEM Scholars Program donation

As of 2023, the Bison STEM Scholars Program received the Martha and Bruce Karsh donation.

2023: Housing Investment

In 2023, Howard University issued a $300 million tax-exempt bond to tackle housing issues, as part of a $785 million investment to renovate and construct academic centers.

2023: Research Center Leadership

In 2023, Howard University was selected by the Department of the Air Force to lead a research center on tactical autonomy technology for military systems.