News & Views

Five receive Distinguished Alumni honors
Another Charter Day Weekend is in the books! The annual event raised more than $1 million for scholarships for Howard University’s outstanding students. And D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser received the President’s Medal for Achievement.

Lifelong learning is a value James Washington, Jr. follows aggressively in his nine decades on Earth. The retired paratrooper came to Howard on the advice of an Army buddy who told him, “It’ll be a decision you’ll never regret.”

Join the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts for an unforgettable evening of world-renowned artistry during the 2025 benefit event March 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Attendees will be treated to an extraordinary performance of the hip-hop theater work, followed by a post-show reception in the Nations Gallery.

Four illustrious Howard alumni will be recognized during the 2025 Charter Day Dinner for their leadership and contributions to the greater good throughout their careers.

For Rachel Burks-Crouch and Kimberly Burks-Crouch, their love of each other began with their love of Howard. They met on The Yard and flirted for two decades before they wed in 2024.

February is the month of love, and what better way to honor it than with a heartfelt ode to our beloved Howard University? Alumna Michelle Janaye Nealy has beautifully captured the essence of what it means to be part of the Howard family in her moving love letter to the University.

Charles J. Gibbs stands as a testament to the transformative power of education. He credits Howard University for preparing him to lead as the seventh and first African-American president of Metropolitan College of New York.

While some might find the American tax code to be intimidating, Aliyha Amani (BA '17; JD '21; MBA '21) isn't one of them. On the contrary, Amani is making a name for herself helping companies figure out how tax laws apply to them.

For JoAnn Price (’71, LA), legacy giving to Howard University is essential, not just because of how she’s benefited from her time on campus but to strengthen the institution for today’s students, like her granddaughter, Lorna Cuthbertson (’23, HUSB).

In the world of breakfast choices, Charisse Ford Hughes (’93, HUSB), stands out for making decisions that affect millions of people worldwide. Hughes currently serves as the senior vice president and chief growth officer at Kellogg Company.

For Jackie L. Williams (’19, PhD), the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel became a haven for her in Washington even before she enrolled at Howard University.