Dear Howard University Community,
To our new and returning students, faculty and staff members, welcome – or welcome back – to campus!
As I watched our first-time-in-college students moving into their residence halls these past few weeks, I thought often about my experience this Summer taking my son, Wayne II, to college for his freshman year.
Throughout my life as a student and my time as a university president, I had participated in and observed student move-in with tremendous enthusiasm.
But having gone through student move-in from the perspective of a parent, my emotions about the process have shifted.
I remain incredibly excited about this next semester – for those of you in our Howard community and for my son. But as I helped my son settle into his new life at college, I felt sadness and anxiety as well. I was confident that he had chosen a school that suited his needs socially and academically. Nevertheless, I found myself hoping that this new place would quickly feel like home. That he would find the support he needed to thrive. That his peers would become his friends. That his community would become his family.
As I hoped that these needs would become reality for my son, I realized how important it is for me to cultivate this same nurturing environment here at Howard for our students, faculty and staff. I believe that Howard is a unique space in higher education and in our society at large. It has always been, and will always be, a haven for all people to explore the breadth and depth of their passions and the fullness of themselves. We are always taking steps to retain and further this atmosphere of acceptance.
I believe that every one of you will find this to be true as you navigate the halls of Howard University. But as much as we have created the infrastructure of tolerance, I encourage you all to advocate for yourself and be mindful of the needs of those around you. Culture is affected more by people than institutions. Considering the talent and generosity of spirit of those on our campus, I know that Howard’s culture will reflect the exceptional quality of our academics and scholastic achievement.
I wish everyone a great first week and a wonderful semester.
Excellence in Truth and Service,
Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA
Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery
President
