Longtime Howard University employee Deborah Boatwright has filled so many roles during her 51 years with the University that she has to close her eyes and let the memories fill her head to remember them all.

Boatwright has worked at Howard as a secretary for Alumni Relations, a library tech, a parking lot monitor, custodian, planner estimator, supervisor for the School of Divinity, special events planner, project manager for new construction, and special assistant to a former Howard President. She was the first woman in Howard’s history to work in the Skilled Maintenance Division (PFM) as a locksmith. 

Most recently, Boatwright was operations coordinator for the Rev. Bernard Richardson, Ph.D., dean of the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, for the past 11 years. Now, after a fulfilling five decades-plus serving Howard, Boatwright is closing that chapter of her life.  

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“It’s bittersweet. I don’t want to go. But I know it’s time to go,” Boatwright said. “I gave Howard University all I have because Howard gave me all it has.” 

Boatwright believes there comes a time when any institution, including Howard, needs to move forward into newer systems and more innovative ways of doing things. 

 “It’s time for new people to come in and make things even better, more modern with new concepts and ideas that continue pushing the University into exciting places,” she said.  

She was one of dozens of longtime Howard University faculty and staff who shared memories, received their flowers and said their goodbyes at a Retirement Celebration breakfast Sept. 18 in Howard’s Blackburn Center Ballroom. The Office of the President and the Office of Human Resources hosted the honorary event attended by 72 new retirees, representing more than 2,000 years of combined service to Howard. 

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Remarks of gratitude for service came from Wayne A. I. Frederick (B.S. ’92, M.D. ’94, MBA ’11), interim president, president emeritus, and Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery, Anthony Wutoh, Ph.D., R.Ph., Howard’s provost and chief academic officer, Board of Trustees member Michele Hagans (B.S. ’73, M.S. ’76, MDiv ’07, DMin ’13) and Warren Petty, Ed.D., (B.A. ’86), vice president and chief human resources officer. Princess Gamble, vice president of development and alumni relations and interim chief development officer, presented a special award, and the Rev. Bernard L. Richardson, Ph.D., dean of the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, offered prayer. 

The retirees are participants in Howard’s Employee Voluntary Retirement Program. A total of 600 Howard employees were eligible for the program, and 173 accepted the voluntary buyout. 

Engaging Howard Differently 

Frederick also described the departure of Howard faculty and staff as bittersweet, reflecting on the deep bonds they have formed with the institution and the difficulty of leaving a place they have loved and served. 

“I think we all have to recognize when it’s time to let go and ask how we can contribute in a different way,” Frederick said.

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The president acknowledged that many retirees are leaving a community where they spent years doing essential work and investing in a place they deeply cared about.  

But he said they’ll soon realize they’ll now have new opportunities to engage in different ways. He referenced plans for a senior living community for faculty and staff on the East Campus as an example, as well as a mentorship program involving retired faculty that the Office of the Provost is planning. 

“Just remember, this institution has been around for 160 years, so people will come and go—and as they come and go, other people will take over and will try to do the best job possible.” 

Frederick added: “I wish all of you a very beautiful next journey and I hope that you will continue to engage with us. So, when we call on you, do not block my number.” 

Wutoh said the retirees have contributed to nearly every part of university life and helped carry Howard’s mission forward “through your knowledge, commitment, service to our students and to the community, and your service to each other. We’re grateful for each of you for wanting to celebrate and acknowledge and fellowship with each other.”

Gamble recognized and presented an award to retiree Andrew Rivers, senior director, university events and protocol. The award recognized Rivers for working tirelessly to ensure that Howard is represented with the excellence and distinction it embodies. She also mentioned his dedication, professionalism, and willingness to always be present. 

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Rivers, who accepted his award through tears, said Frederick once called him into his office to tell him he makes the University better.  

“I’m not a graduate of Howard, but Howard became my life,” Rivers said, who gave 18 years of service to Howard. “I want to say thank you to all of you who embraced me and let me represent Howard in such a way that we have stepped up who we are.”

Howard University as Chosen Family 

Caribbean Ross (B.S. ’99), began working at Howard as a first-year student and has remained part of the University community ever since -- 31 years of service. She’s currently manager of the Office of Research and Office of Sponsored Programs (Pre-Award team). She has also worked as an administrative assistant in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Care, executive assistant in the College of Medicine’s Center for Sickle Cell Disease, and a research administrator with Research Administrative Services.

Ross was a contributor to the team that lead to Howard receiving a $90 million contract agreement with the Department of Defense in 2023 including helping review the contract.

Her emotions surfaced as she reflected on her departure. She said working at Howard has been much more than a career for her. It has been her life, woven throughout her family’s story. Her sister attended Howard,  her eldest son is a recent graduate, and her connection to the University reaches back to when she was just 17 years old. 

“I was excited about life and what was to come and what was to be,” Ross said of her younger self. “Now I'm leaving as this woman who is very sure of who she is and knows what she wants. That’s all because of Howard. Howard raised me. Howard is my chosen family.”

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Karen Williams, who served at Howard for 47 years in various capacities including as a payroll technician, benefits analyst, employee relations specialist, and human resources generalist, is leaving Howard pleased with the impact she has had on the University.  

“The impact was my service. I have a motto here at the University. It’s not how many people I served. It’s the quality of the service.” 

She said she is also experiencing a mixture of emotions about leaving. 

“I’m going to miss my Howard colleagues, students, staff, and faculty I’ve built relationships with. But it’s not a sad occasion. I would say it’s a happy occasion. I use the word ‘happy’ because I’ll be ending my work life. But now I’ll be living and just focusing on me,” Williams said. 

Professor Ron Manuel accepted an offer to teach statistics at the College of Arts and Sciences 50 years ago. Initially envisioning a life in Los Angeles, he recognized the depth of the resources around him and the impact he could make with students and in research. He said Howard has allowed him to  “answer questions about this world that we live in, particularly the sociology of it” through research. 

“As you might imagine, it’s bittersweet. Howard has been a blessing,” he said.  

Top photo. Retiring Howard University faculty and staff at the Retirement Celebration Sept. 18, 2026, at the Blackburn Center Ballroom. Anthony Wutoh (far left) and Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick (far right) Photo by Simone Boyd/Howard University