President Wayne A. I. Frederick is set to retire from his position by June 2024, as announced in an email to the Howard community from the Board of Trustees on Wednesday, April 13. Frederick has served as president of the university for nine years.
Frederick is an alumni and worked as a faculty member prior to his appointment as president of the University. He began as interim president in 2013 and took on a permanent position in 2014, making him the 17th president of the university. Aside from his role as president, he has also maintained the title of Charles R. Drew Endowed Chair of Surgery.
The announcement highlighted some of Frederick’s accomplishments. Throughout his time as president, the university has seen an increase in student enrollment, higher retention rates, and increased donations.
Despite these accomplishments, his tenure has also been beset by several student demonstrations and protests, with complaints of misuse of funding and inadequate student housing.
In the email addressing the Howard community, Laurence C. Morse, chair of the Howard University Board of Trustees, thanked Frederick for “his tireless, unwavering efforts to lead our University to greater academic excellence, fiscal strength, and service to our community and country.”
Morse also expressed the Board’s gratitude for Frederick’s decision to give them “ample time to find the next great leader of Howard University.”
Additionally, Morse added that as the selection process is finalized, the Board of Trustees “will be sure to share more details with all members of our University community as they become available.”
This story is developing. The Hilltop will continue to update as new information regarding the President’s retirement is released.
