The week leading up to commencement is always brimming with excitement as students prepare to walk across the stage and receive their degrees in front of family and friends, before saying goodbye to Howard University. However, that goodbye is never really final, more like a see you later — be it at next year’s homecoming or the one in 10 years — or at their class reunion 50 years from now.   

The Howard University Class of 1976 returned home for their Golden Reunion this weekend with activities — including golden luncheons, a golden gala and a golden boat cruise — beginning on Thursday, May 7 and concluding on May 10. The weekend also honors graduates from the classes of 1971, 1966, and 1961, uniting generations of Bison who formed lifelong bonds on the yard and feel compelled to come back and honor those connections and celebrate a legacy of truth and service. 

Why Come Home 

“It was so very important [to come to the reunion] because this is a legacy for me and for my family,” said committee member Antoinette Altemus-Burke (B.S. ’76), who graduated from what is now the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences with a degree in nursing. “My father went to Howard’s Medical School and finished in ’50, and my uncle was the School of Orthodontia's dean for 50 years. His name was Leonard Altemus, and my dad's name was Armin Altemus,” she continued. “Having finished 50 years ago, I feel so blessed to be here. It’s just such an honor, and I want to be here as an example for the students that are here, that this is the Mecca, and this is definitely the place to go, the place to be, and to return to.” 

“It is such a milestone,” added committee member Janice McKenzie-Crayton (B.A. ’76, M.A. ’87). “Who knew in 1976 that this is where we would end up? That would still be standing; that we would still have such connections to Howard University and have a passion about Howard’s future? So that’s why we’re here — to connect with our friends, connect with university in a new way, and be an instrument and making sure that what happens here, continues to go forward.” 

One of the ways that alumni contribute to forward movement is through giving. According to McKenzie-Crayton, the time to encourage a spirit of giving in Bison is freshman year.   

“One of the things that has to start happening here, is that the minute young people step on this campus, we start talking to them about giving back,” she said. “You got to start talking about it when they step onto the campus.”  

Shiba Freeman Burke (B.A. ’76), also a member of the golden committee, spoke of the importance of acknowledging the moment when asked why it was important for her to not only attend, but to be so involved. 

“I think that sometimes we don’t take the time to really celebrate our milestones,” said Burke, who felt even more appreciation for her Howard experience through her work on the reunion, and wanted to give back. “Always at the base of whatever I do is how can I reach back? Who can I help? Not just always in money all the time, but in knowledge and in information; in character and teaching — I think that this is a part of that as well. So, for me, it was like, what else can I do? If I can’t always give money, then what else can I give?”

A Queen Returns to The Mecca 

Also, on hand to celebrate the 50th anniversary was Ms. Howard 1976, Wanda Whiteside (B.F.A. ’76), who, along with friend Dr. Brenda Peoples Thomas (B.A. ’76), felt compelled to celebrate this milestone and honor the connections made at Howard University, together.

“You know, 50 years, that’s pretty big,” said Thomas. “One, we’re still alive and still mobile. Camaraderie, the connections that we started 50 years ago, and we are still bonded. We decided we wanted to do this together.”

When asked what advice she would offer the current the current Ms. Howard, Whiteside encouraged making the most of what makes being at an HBCU, especially this one, so special, and to take every opportunity. 

“I would offer the advice to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way here at our university, because this is where you get shielded, nurtured, protected; you learn, and this is where you become who you are supposed to be,” said Whiteside. “You make friends here. This is our home. This is a sacred ground.”

“I would suggest that she be a queen with a human touch,” added Thomas. 

When asked for their fondest memory, the duo said unison, “the wall,” explaining that the quad’s wall was an evening hangout spot where you could meet five-year students, big brothers, and more. “That was the initiation,” said Thomas. 

Another fond memory for Thomas would have to include meeting her husband on campus. 

“I graduated on May 8,1976, from the School of Business, and on Sunday, May 9, I got married in the School of Religion to my husband, who was also a 1976 graduate in the School of Medicine,” said Thomas. “I give back to Howard because that was the source of the spring for me. So, I am so thankful, because my entire life, it bloomed from Howard.” 

When asked for the story of how they met, Thomas jokingly replied that, “coming from the south, I guess you could say, I came to school to get married.” 

“You came not for a master’s but a missus,” added Whiteside, with a laugh, but was quick to point out, however, that her friend is a prominent dentist. That said, Thomas would walk by the professional schools, including the one where her future husband was studying. “Fortunately, with my work study job, I got placed at the medical school,” she explained. The rest is Bison history.   

For Whiteside, Howard was destined and remains sacred. 

“My unique story is that Howard was the only school I applied to, and upon my entry into Howard, I knew that this was right where I was supposed to be,” said Whiteside. “God's word is intentional. He knew exactly what he was doing. And for me, my dormmates and my classmates became my family, and the School of Fine Arts, which is now the Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts, became my home. I had friends that I made here that are still friends today, and, of course, I have some that have gone away much too early.”

Advice to the Graduating Class 

From graduates of the class of 1976 to the class of 2026, these two friends offer the following advice: find your purpose, cherish the moment, take it in, come home, and give back. 

“My mantra is, there are two important times in a person’s life, and that is when they’re born, and the second one is when they know why they were born,” said Whiteside.  

“This is such a wonderful experience, this Howard experience, and it goes by so fast,” added Thomas. “Cherish the moment. There’s so much to take in on this campus, at this university — you’ve probably have hardly touched the tip of the iceberg. Coming back now, we get to appreciate Founder’s Library, and all the resources and all the opportunities — take advantage of as much as you can. You won’t be able to take it all in, but do come back and revisit, and just get nurtured in the richness of it all.” 

“And in the midst of it, support it financially,” added Whiteside. 

A Full Circle Moment 

During the Commencement Ceremony on May 9, the class of 1976 will take part in the processional. Honored and wearing commemorative regalia in recognition of 50 years of leadership, impact, and service, the class will once again get to walk the path they crossed five decades ago, alongside their fellow classmates. 

“Howard is where I was shielded, nurtured, and protected,” said Whiteside. “I learned what I needed to know in order to go out into the world. So, I have enough intuition to sing out loud, Howard U... I love you.”