Howard University
Washington, DC
Quick Facts
“Veritas et Utilitas”("Truth and Service")
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About Howard University
A beacon of Black excellence, pioneering research, and civil rights leadership.
Howard University stands as a distinguished private, federally chartered historically black research university (HBCU) in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1867, it quickly became a vital institution for the education of African Americans, embodying its motto "Veritas et Utilitas" (Truth and Service). Known for its profound historical significance, Howard has cultivated generations of leaders, thinkers, and activists who have shaped American society and global affairs.
From its inception, Howard has been at the forefront of social change. Its faculty and alumni played pivotal roles in the Civil Rights Movement, with figures like Alain Locke ushering in the Harlem Renaissance and Ralph Bunche becoming the first African-American Nobel Peace Prize winner. Howard students pioneered sit-in tactics in the 1940s, laying groundwork for later widespread protests. The university has also been a platform for national dialogue, hosting presidential addresses from Calvin Coolidge to Barack Obama, affirming its role in the nation's progress and the advancement of civil rights.
Academically, Howard is a powerhouse, recently achieving the prestigious Research One (R1) Carnegie Classification, solidifying its status as a top-tier research institution. With an impressive $1.1 billion endowment and a student body of nearly 13,000, it offers a robust academic environment across numerous colleges and professional schools, including the historic College of Medicine and the recently renamed Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. Significant investments, including a $785 million plan for new STEM and academic buildings and a landmark $80 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, underscore its commitment to cutting-edge education and facilities, ensuring a dynamic and supportive student experience.
Key Highlights
- ✦Pioneering HBCU: Founded in 1867, a private federally chartered historically black research university (HBCU).
- ✦Top-Tier Research Status: Achieved Research One (R1) Carnegie Classification in 2025, becoming the first HBCU to do so.
- ✦Significant Endowment: Boasts an endowment of $1.1 billion, supporting its extensive academic and research initiatives.
- ✦Civil Rights Landmark: Played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement, with students pioneering sit-in protests and faculty like Alain Locke and Nobel laureate Ralph Bunche.
- ✦Major Philanthropic Support: Received a historic $80 million gift from MacKenzie Scott in 2025, contributing to her total $132 million donations to the university.
- ✦Transformative Investments: Investing $785 million to construct new STEM and academic buildings and renovate existing facilities.
- ✦Prestigious Professional Schools: Home to one of the oldest law schools in the U.S. and the first and oldest medical college at an HBCU.
Timeline
Schools & Colleges
7 notable schools within Howard University
College of Liberal Arts
One of the university's initial colleges established shortly after its founding in 1867.
College of Medicine
The first and oldest medical college at an HBCU, supported by Howard University Hospital.
School of Divinity
A historic school that has fostered influential thinkers and activists.
School of Law
One of the oldest law schools in the United States, with a deep legacy in civil rights advocacy.
School of Dentistry
Made history in 1975 with the appointment of the first female dean of any American dental school.
Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts
Re-established and named in 2021, honoring a distinguished alum and his advocacy for the arts.
Cathy Hughes School of Communications
Slated for new academic buildings as part of recent major university investments.
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