Charter Day 2025

Emmy Award nominee Anthony Anderson (B.F.A. ’22) (L) returned to serve as the master of ceremonies for the evening. He also received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Entertainment.

Carrie Hackney (B.M.Ed. ’71) (R) received the LaRue V. Barkwell Capstone Distinguished Service Award, presented to an “individual whose purpose comes alive in service to others.”

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Founding of Howard University

Howard University was founded on March 2, 1867, by Civil War hero Gen. Oliver O. Howard, who also served as its president and leader of the Freedmen’s Bureau. President Andrew Johnson approved the University Charter on the same day to create an institution dedicated to the betterment of humanity.

Since 1867, the Howard campus has grown from a single frame building to 256 acres of land across the District of Columbia and Maryland. With our main campus located in northwest DC, the School of Law, School of Divinity and Howard's research facility, each has dedicated campuses nearby. In all, more than 120,000 degrees and certificates have been awarded.

Friday, February 28, the University convened for our Charter Day Convocation. We were pleased to have Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser as our Charter Day Convocation speaker. During the Convocation, Mayor Bowser was also presented with the President's Medal for Achievement.

Watch the Charter Day Convocation replay