WASHINGTON (April, 19, 2019) – Welcome to Howard University, Class of 2023.

On Friday, more than 3,500 potential students and their families joined the Accepted Student Day (ASD) program – an opportunity to explore the campus, ask questions, and get a taste of the campus culture before enrolling as a freshman in the fall.

The Howard University Accepted Student Day program featured actor and alumnus Anthony Anderson from hit ABC series “black-ish,” as the master of ceremonies. The crowd was entertained by performances from the “Showtime” Marching Band and Afro Blue vocal jazz ensemble, followed by an afternoon of visits to specific academic schools and colleges.

Chad Redd and Cynthia Smith-Redd attended ASD along with their daughter Chynna Redd.

“All my life I have heard nothing but good things about Howard University,” Chad Redd said. “Coming from Boston you don’t see a lot of students of color. This is a lot of students of color and culture in one area.”

Chynna, who plans to major in psychology, said she felt none of the “culture shock” she had expected given her schooling background, which differs greatly from the Howard atmosphere she experienced at ASD.

“This environment seems pretty welcoming,” she said. “Some of my aunts attended Black colleges. I have had the idea of Black colleges instilled in my mind.”

Her high school friend Jordan Dias also said she felt at ease at Howard University.

Dias said she planned to check out the physics department while on campus. “I like motion and energy. What’s most important to me is a research faculty and a lab, and also [experiencing] the vibe of the school.”

Robbie Winn, an accepted student from Atlanta, said she applied to Howard because she wants to become a medical doctor.

“I would say I’m leaning to Howard above all other schools,” Winn said. “Howard produces a large number of Black students who get into medical school. Everyone preaches that HBCUs are more attentive to students, especially for medical school. I felt like this school would help me get there.”

Robbie Winn’s grandmother, Vernita Winn, said that her brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew all earned law degrees from Howard University.

 “My sister-in-law is a judge, by nephew is a general counsel, my niece manages traffic court, my nephew is in private practice – mostly public service,” she said. “Howard has been a really positive experience for them.”

Accepted students and families heard presentations from Student Affairs, Financial Aid, and from top leaders of the Howard University, including President Wayne A. I. Frederick, who earned three degrees from Howard – an undergraduate degree, an MBA, and a medical degree.

Dr. Frederick pointed out that Howard ranks as the top producer of Black medical school applicants in the nation, as well as the leading producers of applicants of the nation’s most prestigious MBA programs. Howard produces 40 percent of Black dentists each year. Additionally, the nation’s 200 Black dermatologists includes 82 Howard graduates.

“The statistic that means most to me is you dropping your child off here,” Dr. Frederick said. “We are trying to remove the barriers to their ambitions.”

Dr. Frederick told the assembled students that one day they would celebrate weddings with other students in the hall and even serve as godparents to each other’s children.

“The joy of being at Howard is that you get to meet students from a wide variety of places,” he said. “For those of you who chose Howard, I welcome you into our family.”

Media contact: Sholnn Freeman, Office of University Communications, sholnn.freeman@howard.edu

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.