As the Class of 2025 prepares to say goodbye to Howard, their memories are etched not just in yearbooks or transcripts, but across the campus itself. From Greene Stadium down to the Yard, each pin on this map of Howard’s campus holds a story and encompasses a collection of memories tucked into buildings, bleachers and late-night Insomnia Cookies runs.
Halloween to Remember – Sifa Butcher, International Business Major, Hollywood, Florida
Sifa Butcher is a graduating senior on one of the few all-Black Women tennis teams in the country. She embraces the responsibility of representation with pride. “We’re representing Howard. We’re representing Black female tennis players in the country,” she said. “It means holding yourself up to a standard. Always being poised, and collected. Just representing the school and ourselves the best way possible.”
Each year the women’s tennis team hosts a Halloween event, where they ditch the uniforms for costumes and coach local children. “I think it is so cute to see the little kids so excited to play. They just have pure joy when they step on the court. It just reminds all of us of when we were just starting out as well and picking up a racket. You just hope that whatever you say to them resonates, even though they’re so young,” Butcher said.
To younger athletes learning to juggle both sports and academics, Butler offers one key piece of advice. “Give yourself grace. You have to give yourself time to relax just as much as you give yourself time to do your work. because it’s just so much of a balancing act. You really have to prioritize doing something to treat yourself.”
Fate – Tamar-Lynn Jean, Health Science Major, Milton, New York
Tamar-Lynn Jean is a graduating senior and president of Howard University’s Gospel Choir. Her journey to becoming president began as a chance encounter, during her sophomore year. “I did not know the Gospel choir existed until my sophomore year of college. I was sitting in Punch Out, and this girl came up to me and handed me a flyer and said, ‘You look like you can sing. So you should audition for the choir,’ and I actually auditioned for the choir. I was looking for a choir at the time, so I think it was just God, showing me where He wants me to be,” Jean said.
Her experience at Howard has also taught Jean the importance of kindness in building connections. “I learned here that kindness will take you farther than one may think,” she explains. “Just being kind to people and greeting the people that are in the building. You’re gonna wake up one day and they’re gonna offer you something or ask you a question about your major and then boom, you have an internship for the summer.”
The Jordan Announcement – Miketta Anderson, Political Science Major, Charleston, Maryland
Miketta Anderson, a graduating senior and former member of Howard University’s Cheer Team and CheerPhi, Incorporated, described her experience as nothing short of life-changing. “It really changed my life. I’ve been a cheerleader my whole life and being a HBCU Cheerleader especially was my dream,” Anderson said.
Some of her favorite moments with the team took place late-nights at Greene Stadium.”It felt like there was nobody else on campus with us,” she recalls. Just being there with the people that I love, sharing laughs and stories. Those are moments that I will remember forever,” said Anderson.
Another standout moment was being part of the Jordan Brand campaign, announced at Burr Gymnasium. “When Jordan announced they were sponsoring the sports teams, I was part of the campaign. It was such a cool experience and a huge deal for me,” Anderson said.
Reflecting on her years at Howard, Anderson encourages students to take full advantage of their surroundings. “Make more memories. You go to Howard in the middle of the city. Go off campus. You’re in the heart of DC. You have access to the metro. You don’t have to always be on campus,” she said. “There’s museums. There’s events happening all over the city. Try new restaurants. You are in a unique position to not be at a college just in the middle of nowhere, but you’re in the middle of the nation’s capital, see the city.”’
Founders’ Day – Lauren Marshall, Health Science Major, Chicago, Illinois
Lauren Marshall, is a graduating senior and Director of Campus Health In Howard University Student Association (HUSA), and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Alpha Chapter. Throughout her time at Howard, Marshall has been driven by her passion for service and sisterhood.
“My first Founders Day this year, on January 13th, 2025, really stood out. Just being out there with all of my line sisters, finally seeing all the different sorors coming from different places to see how Alpha Chapter brings in Founders Day,” she said. “It was a full 360 moment for me. Once upon a time, I was just trying to be a part of this organization, and now here I am, almost a year in, celebrating. It was so surreal and so cool to be able to be out there.”
Reflecting on her time at Howard, Marshall shared advice for incoming freshmen. “Never let Howard change the person you are at your core. If something doesn’t align with your morals or beliefs, don’t do it just because you think it will benefit you. It will actually probably harm you in the long run. So just be authentically yourself. Sometimes at Howard, people lose that and never get it back,” Marshall said.
This interactive map highlights key campus locations and memories shared by graduating seniors. Explore the map online to see the places that shaped their Howard experience.
Copy edited by Anijah Franklin
