December 3, 2024 Issue 52

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Welcome to UDC Forward! We're back and excited to share impactful stories from our university community. Have a story? Tell us about it!

It was a Firebird Reunion! UDC's Homecoming 2024 honored UDC’s proud legacy as the District’s only public university and the nation’s second-oldest HBCU. To celebrate, we invited every member of our community—alumni, current and prospective students, faculty, staff, families, friends and neighbors—to join in honoring our past and revving up for our future.

This year’s festivities included something for everyone—from a faculty and staff breakfast in Congress Heights to a fashion show in Lamond-Riggs to an alumni basketball game in Van Ness—bridging generations from UDC and its predecessor schools and lifting up the shared history that has shaped our Firebird family.

D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation Director Thennie Freeman, UDC President Maurice D. Edington and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser heralded the official launch of UDC's new strategic plan.

UDC Officially Launches New Strategic Plan: 'Delivering on the Promise'

The university celebrated its new five-year strategic plan on Nov. 15 as part of its “Firebird Reunion” Homecoming celebration.

“When UDC succeeds, Washingtonians succeed. Our public education system is a bright spot in the story of D.C.—I’m proud that UDC is part of that story," D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said.

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Men's Soccer Takes Home First East Coast Conference Championship Title

The University of the District of Columbia men’s soccer team (#6) clinched its first-ever East Coast Conference championship title on Nov. 17 with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against Molloy University (#5) at John A. Darcy Field in Rockville Centre, New York.

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Homecoming 2024

A Look at the Royal Court, From Kings and Queens of the Past and Present

“It wasn’t just about wearing a crown; it was about embodying the spirit of UDC and paving the way for others to follow,” said Gail Jones, the first Miss UDC.

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Message From Maurice: Celebrate Our UDC Family at Homecoming 2024, ‘A Firebird Reunion’

As the red and gold were rolled out for Homecoming 2024, Dr. Edington shared a few personal thoughts on the Homecoming tradition.

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In Case You Missed It #ICYMI

• President Edington Reflects on His First Year 
• Fatma Elshobokshy Receives 2024 Technology All-Star Award
• Professor Brandon Schweitzer Awarded Fulbright Specialist Grant
• Edington Talks Workforce Development at ‘State of the District’ Panel
• UDC Hosts CHIPS for America Workshop
• UDC Celebrates New Hydroponic Greenhouse at Anacostia High School 
• ‘They Really Have Thought About Everyone’ at New UDC Library 
• UDC Art Alum Wins Fellowship With Touchstone Gallery 
• UDC’s Kayleah Shelton Selected as 2024 HBCU White House Scholar

‘Grandfather of Black Basketball’ E.B. Henderson Celebrated at Book Event

In the first half of the 20th century, E.B. Henderson opened doors for Black athletes and transformed access to organized sports in a segregated America.

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Construction Workforce Events Connect Students and Alumni With Careers

Recent workforce development events at UDC have produced real results for students and alumni, connecting them with jobs in the growing construction industry.

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UDC’s New Collegiate Black Male Network Chapter Offers Students ‘A Support System’

For Vernon Simmons, president of the university’s new Collegiate Black Male Network chapter, the network “creates community—you realize you’re not alone.” 

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University of the District of Columbia Rises to #23 HBCU in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Rankings

The recognition comes during a period of sustained growth and investment at the only public university in Washington, D.C., and the nation’s only exclusively urban land-grant institution. 

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Enrollment at University of the District of Columbia Continues to Climb

In their search for a high-quality, affordable education, a growing number of people are choosing UDC. Enrollment has surged from 3,855 in fall 2023 to 4,202 in fall 2024—an increase of 9%. 

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UDC Celebrates New Hydroponic Greenhouse at Anacostia High School

“This project embodies the future of urban agriculture, blending classroom education with real-world applications.” 

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UDC Class Inspired Student to Revive Cherished Chinese-Language Bookstore in D.C.

In Yu Miao’s Writing for the Web class, he used social media to announce the revival of his Shanghai-based bookstore in the U.S. Now, it’s open for business. 

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In the News

• The Washington Post: How D.C.’s Only Public University Wants to Reimagine Itself
• The Washington Post: ‘This Is a Good Fit’: Inside Enrollment Gains at Historically Black Colleges
• The Washington Informer: UDC Merges Agriculture and Tech to Address Health Disparities Across D.C.
• WUSA-TV: Urban University Surprises Visitors with Agriculture Programs
• The Afro: D.C.-Area HBCUs Create Home Base for Student Veterans and Dependents
• WTOP-FM: A New Kind of ‘Living’ Classroom Opens at a D.C. High School
• HBCU Gameday: UDC, the Washington, D.C., HBCU, Celebrates New Athletic Field
• WUSA-TV: Law Students from UDC Gather to Watch the Vice Presidential Debate
• HBCU Connect: University of the District of Columbia Rises to No. 23 HBCU in U.S. News & World Reports 2025 Rankings
• WTOP-FM: UDC Students spread Civic Awareness on Voter Registration Day
• Maryland Public Television: HBCU Week 2024 State Circle Special: Where Do We Go From Here?
• The Washington Informer: UDC Firebirds Celebrate Annual Homecoming, Reflect on Institution’s Resilience and Impact in District
• The Washington Informer: UDC Unveils New Five-Year Strategic Plan

UDC’s New Athletic Field Ready for Action

The university community is fired up about its newly renovated athletic field—an exciting addition to the Van Ness campus. “This new turf field is a game-changer,” said Athletic Director Patricia Thomas.

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• December 5 & 12: UDC Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning Open House
• December 6: Senior Recital: Avery Washington, Tenor
• December 9: Annual Holiday Concert
• December 14 & 15: DC Youth Orchestra Program
• December 14: UDC Music Program Audition Day

View All Upcoming Events

UDC recently hosted the 2024 Fall Career Expo, with dozens of employers in attendance. Sponsored by the Office of Career Services, the event was an exclusive opportunity for UDC students and alumni to network, learn about employment opportunities—including full-time jobs, part-time jobs, internships and other positions—and participate in career-development activities.