WASHINGTON – Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Anthony K. Wutoh, Ph.D., recently hosted the first annual Breakfast with The Provost, to honor newly promoted and tenured faculty. The nearly 30 faculty members represent 11 of the University’s 13 Schools and Colleges, and were invited to the celebratory breakfast in recognition of their accomplishments and academic successes. The Office of the Provost started the annual breakfast to begin a formal tradition of highlighting upward mobility among University faculty.

In alignment with the University’s five-year strategic plan, Howard Forward, Breakfast with the Provost is the latest example of the programs and initiatives created by the Office of the Provost and the Office of Faculty Development to promote professional advancement for University personnel. 

“It is always an honor and pleasure to highlight the significant accomplishments and milestones of our faculty. We want to promote events like this to help place a spotlight on our faculties achievements, and also serve as an inspiration towards greater success,” Provost Wutoh explains. 

Associate Provost for Faculty Development Okainer Christian Dark, J.D., worked alongside Provost Wutoh to launch the annual breakfast, and emphasized the importance of acknowledging the significant occasion, but while also providing a platform for further achievement. With that in mind, she assembled a panel discussion, in which she moderated, entitled, Staying on the Path to Full Professorship, featuring Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs Edna Greene Medford, Ph.D., and Professor and Chair in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Quinton Williams, Ph.D. 

"This session was a reminder that the faculty journey doesn't stop with promotion or tenure," said Associate Provost Dark. "The journey is a lifecycle for faculty who are excellent and engaged teachers, productive scholars and researchers, and good community servants within the University and outside. Our job in the Office of Faculty Development is to continue to offer programs and professional development opportunities that enhance their journeys along the way." She emphasized their efforts to enhance and advance engagement and interdisciplinary collaborations among faculty.

Associate Professor of Philosophy Brandon Hogan Ph.D., attended the breakfast, after recently being promoted from his previous role as assistant professor within the College of Arts and Sciences.

“The breakfast served as a reminder that newly promoted and tenured faculty must take on new responsibilities,” Hogan says. “The panelists encouraged us to model excellence for junior faculty and to view tenure as an opportunity to pursue our future academic interests with courage. I’m positive that all honorees felt invigorated and inspired after this event.” 

Howard University faculty members interested in programs offered by the Office of Faculty Development, including the Junior Faculty Writing and Creative Works Summer Academy and the upcoming Scholarly Productions Workshop, visit http://www.provost.howard.edu. 

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Photograph: Provost Anthony K. Wutoh, Ph.D., Associate Provost Okainer Christian Dark, J.D., and newly promoted and tenured faculty at the Interdisciplinary Research Building, Wednesday, September 4, 2019

ABOUT HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media contact: Ramzey Smith, Office of University Communications, ramzey.smith@howard.edu