February 2, 2024 Issue 47

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As we celebrate Black History Month this February, we honor the rich legacy that Black people played in the history of the United States, and to that end, we should celebrate the contributions of UDC alumni. Stay tuned for future issues of UDC Forward that will explore how UDC’s alumni changed the landscape of UDC and impacted the nation.

UDC alumna Yaneth Guillen-Diaz serves as executive director of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ). (Photo courtesy of NAHJ)

Dr. Waheed Arian, a leading National Health System emergency room doctor in the U.K.; Extinction Rebellion Co-Founder Argentine Flavia Broffoni; Sean Binder, who rescued drowning refugees in Greece; and CDIMA Founding Director Trinice McNally. (Photo courtesy of Paramount+)

Washington Wizards celebrates HBCUs, D9 night

Join UDC and the Washington Wizards to celebrate the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the Divine Nine Organizations at the annual HBCU and D9 night at the Capital One Arena on Saturday, February 10. Ten dollars from every ticket purchased will be donated to the UDC Foundation. Show your school pride or celebrate your sorority or fraternity with UDC gear or Divine 9 apparel. Purchase Your Tickets

Fox 5 DC: Catching Up with University of the District of Columbia Student!

Join us for the 2024 Founders’ Day Celebration

The 2024 Founders’ Day Celebration will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 10 a.m at the Theater of the Arts. President Maurice D. Edington, Ph.D., will be the keynote speaker. The theme is “Delivering on the Promise.” RSVP to Lee Brian Reba, Senior Advisor for University Events and Protocol, at [email protected] no later than Friday, February 9, 2024.

 Join us for the Inauguration of President Maurice Edington

The inauguration of President Maurice D. Edington will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the Theater of the Arts on the Van Ness Campus with a reception to follow. Please also mark your calendars to plan to attend the week-long celebration of inauguration events from March 11 through March 14. Additional information will be shared.

• February 5: Regular Meeting of the Operations Committee
• February 6: Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees
• March 16: CAUSES Volunteer Appreciation Event
• March 21: Black Women in the Law Panel Discussion
• April 29: Calvin Jones Big Band Jazz Festival

View All Upcoming Events

Athletics Hall of Fame 2024

The UDC Athletics Hall of Fame Luncheon is scheduled for noon on Saturday, February 10, at Maggiano’s Little Italy, 5333 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015. To purchase tickets, click here. 

This year’s induction class features four former student-athletes and a coach. The inductees are Leon Cunningham (UDC Class of '98), Kaneesha Hollis (UDC Class of '12), Tracey Oaks Jordan (UDC Class of '93, MA '07), Ronald Lewis (DCTC Class of '73, MA UDC '78) and C. Francis A. Silva. Read More

Support your fellow Firebirds! Cheer on the men’s and women’s basketball teams at an upcoming game. 

Men’s Basketball 

February 3 at 3 p.m. vs. Roberts Wesleyan 

February 9 at 7:30 p.m. vs. D’Youville 

February 11 at 3 p.m. vs. Daemen 

Women’s Basketball 

February 3 at 1 p.m. vs. Roberts Wesleyan 

February 9 at 5:30 p.m. vs. D’Youville 

February 11 at 1 p.m. vs. Daemen 

For the latest sports news, check out the UDC Athletic Website. 

CAS Reads Big welcomes author Jamila Minnicks

The College of Arts and Sciences welcomed author Jamila Minnicks on January 18 for the spring CAS Reads Big lecture. Minnicks’ award-winning book, “Moonrise Over New Jessup,” explores the story of Alice Young, a Black woman navigating love and other challenges in the independent Black community of New Jessup, Alabama, in 1957. 

Student STEM Expo showcases hands-on activities

A student watches a robot demonstration given by Gabriel Rizk with the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Division at the January 27 STEM Expo hosted by UDC, in partnership with the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The Expo also featured representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense, National Science Foundation and other civilian agencies.