Feature Spotlight: May 2024 Newsletter

Living lives like they're golden!

Reunion celebration launches $1 million campaign

By Deidra W. Hill, EdD

The Class of 1974 capped off an incredible 50th Anniversary Class reunion during Howard University’s 156th Commencement Convocation weekend and spearheaded a $1 million campaign to support the University.

Class reunion co-chairs Bruce Williams and Chauncey Manson III led a team of alumni who had been working together for several months to ensure that the Class of 1974 experienced a weekend like no other. Their diligent efforts are responsible for bringing nearly 200 members of their class from across the country for a weekend of camaraderie, fellowship and support for The Mecca.

“The past weekend was golden,” Manson said.

“Personally, the magnitude of the event did not hit me until my classmates and I were processing into Capital One Arena to the applause of the 20,000 graduates, friends, family and other alums,” he said.

“I looked into the faces of the 2024 graduates and could see their admiration, amazement and realization as I said to many of them, ‘This will be you in 2074.’”

The Class of 1974 launched a $1 million campaign to support the University. To date, the campaign is close to reaching half of its goal and continues through Dec. 31, 2024.

“There are several critical components of our campaign that I believe will help us reach our goal of $1 million,” said Williams. “We have coordinated with Alumni Development to reach out to 1974 class top donors, the entire committee has contacted members of the 1974 class [for] their support, and all committee members have made a financial pledge,” Williams added.

Class reunion events included a welcome reception on Thursday evening in the Armour J. Blackburn University Center; a Golden Reunion luncheon in Blackburn where alumni recognized the Class of 2024 with a champagne toast before heading to a soiree at The Morrow hotel on Friday; and the processional of the golden class during the 156th Commencement Convocation on Saturday at Capital One Arena.

Other classes celebrating reunions during commencement weekend included the Classes of 1969, 1964, 1959, 1954, 1949 and 1944. Incredibly, one centenarian from the Class of 1944 was in attendance. Lilla Selden Midgette, a graduate of the College of Liberal Arts (now College of Arts and Sciences), appeared at the Reunion Luncheon accompanied by her son and daughter, Thomas Midgette and Katrin Jones.

“To be in the Commencement celebration with Dr. Marie Fowler, who at 83, was the oldest member of the Class of 2024, and to be in the Friday’s Golden Reunion Luncheon with a 1944 HU graduate [Midgette], and to have the honor of passing the torch to 2024 graduate Reanna Jones was amazing for me,” said Manson. “I was lucky enough to spot Reanna and give her a hug as I walked in.”

Donations for the Class of 1974 $1 million campaign are being accepted through Dec. 31, 2024. Stay tuned for more activities to support the campaign. “The Class of 1974 Committee will be working on some FUNraising campaigns and events to keep the excitement going,” said Williams.

Support the campaign by visiting https://giving.howard.edu/class-1974-reunion-class-giving.