Howard University
Hallmarks and Quirks
Things I'm Good At:
- The "finesse." For a Bison, this is codified law. Didn't read the entire book but you managed to get an A on your paper? Finesse. Can't afford a ticket to a Freshman Week party but you still managed to get in? Finesse.
- Making money. The School of Business is sponsored by Fortune 500 companies left and right, and students have coined the nickname "money gang" because of it.
- Radio. What can I say? WHUR is a big deal both on and off campus.
- Soul Food Thursdays. Unfortunately, this is pretty much the only day the cafe has edible dinner. Once a week is better than never, though.
My Top 5 Must-Haves:
- Your good clothes—we like to look good when we party.
- A dashiki; this is an HBCU (historically black college or university) after all.
- An interest in the African Diaspora. Like I said, this is an HBCU.
- A swim cap. If you're in the College of Arts and Sciences, you'll need to be able to bust out a killer doggy paddle in order to get that diploma.
- Passion. With over 200 student organizations, pretty much everyone is involved in something around here.
Why You Might Have Heard of Me:
- I am one of the top HBCUs in the country, and that isn't an exaggeration.
- Biggie performed here. 'Nuff said.
- Tons of super famous and successful folks have attended me. I'm talking everyone from Puff Daddy to Hon. Kamala Harris.
- I'm the only school in the country to be commonly referred to as the Mecca.
On a regular Saturday night, you can find me...
I'm probably at a party. After hitting the books all week, there are few things that won't inspire me to celebrate on a Saturday night. The reveal of the homecoming theme? Party time. The first Friday of every month? Sounds like a cause for celebration to me. In fact, at the Mecca, weekends start on Thursdays.
Favorite Hangouts:
- The Valley—place of learning by day and house of mad dance moves by night.
- The Yard. Howard students don't go to the Yard, they hang out on it. Don't worry, you'll get the lingo down in no time.
- The Punch Out, home of the best mozzarella sticks a meal swipe can buy.
Famous Alumni:
- Taraji P. Henson, actress who played Joss on Person of Interest
- Thurgood Marshall, a supreme court justice
- Toni Morrison, who wrote Beloved and Sula
- Zora Neale Hurston, who wrote Their Eyes Were Watching God
- Stokely Carmichael, an influential activist in 1960's civil rights movements