President Ben Vinson III, Ph.D. poses for a photo. (Photo Courtesy of Howard’s
Office Of University Communications)
Dear Howard University Students,
Welcome home to Howard University for the 2025-2026 academic year! It
brings me immense joy and pride to greet each of you as we embark on
another exciting year filled with tradition, achievement, and endless
possibility. The excitement on the Yard during Bison week. The start of a
new academic journey. The energy of our upcoming football season. The
reflective brilliance of our opening convocation, and our spirited
Homecoming festivities. It is clear – we are poised for an unforgettable
semester ahead.
To our first-year students, welcome! You now join the ranks of students who
experience the awe of the Mecca as their new academic home. Walking
these historic grounds for the first time as a student can indeed feel
inspiring and overwhelming. Let me assure you that every corner of
Howard is rich with wisdom and hidden jewels waiting to be discovered. I
have every confidence that your own discoveries will soon illuminate your
path. To our second-year students, welcome back! Congratulations on
completing your first year: an achievement filled with personal growth,
challenges met, and friendships formed. You have established a solid
foundation for diving deeper into your studies, passions, and connections
within our vibrant Howard community.
To our upperclassmen, congratulations as you move closer to the
culmination of your undergraduate journey. Your time here at Howard is
preparing you to excel academically. It is undoubtedly positioning you to
also join the grand legacy of Howard graduates whose footsteps have led
them to make a positive imprint on our communities and our world.
As students, you also continue to make your imprint on our Yard. I am
keenly aware of the issues that are of utmost concern to your families and
you. Please know that we are learning from the concerns and challenges
and we are addressing them head on. We are committed to fostering an
environment for your success. Ensuring that past problems do not reoccur
is central to our vision of “Howard at Maximum Strength.” Educating and
nurturing you – the next generation of global leaders – is our highest
priority.
As we commence this new academic year, I encourage each of you to start
strong, seize every opportunity, and continue to make us all proud. I look
forward to seeing you on the Yard!
Committed to Truth and Service,
Ben Vinson III, Ph.D.
President
