Each year, Howard University honors a staff member who has demonstrated and embodied its most sacred values of excellence in truth and service with The LaRue V. Barkwell Capstone Distinguished Service Award. Previously the Capstone Distinguished Service Award, the award was renamed in 2019 by Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, interim president and president emeritus of Howard, for that year’s honoree LaRue Barkwell, a much-revered employee of the Office of Financial Aid, who served as a mentor to students and staff for 40 years. 

This year’s distinguished honoree, nominated by President Frederick and approved by the Board of Trustees, is Regina Drake, technical writer in the Office of the Provost. She will be formally recognized during the university’s Charter Day Dinner. 

Drake has served in her role with the university for 35 years, providing developmental and editorial support for the Office of the Provost’s communications functions, and for the last five years has acted as the content manager for the office’s website. In addition, she is the staff liaison for the Academic Excellence Committee of the Board of Trustees, preparing and formulating documents for committee consideration. 

Journey to the Mecca 

Over the years, Drake has understandably become a trusted source of historical and institutional knowledge for university faculty and staff. While it’s likely hard for her colleagues in the Office of the Provost to imagine a time when she wasn’t behind the scenes facilitating and drafting the essential communications that come out of the office — those related to faculty, staff, operations, and governance — Drake didn’t begin her career working on a college campus. 

“I was working at the National Association of Counties on Capitol Hill as a project assistant providing research and publications development support related to mental health and criminal justice services in county government,” explained Drake.  

Though she liked her position at the time, when her work caught the eye of a university official, Drake said she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore what a similar role in higher education might have to offer. 

“The vice president for academic affairs, upon reviewing some of the reports that I developed, encouraged me to apply for a position in that office,” she said. “While I enjoyed the engagement with advocates for county governments, the opportunity to be a part of an academic environment was more appealing.”

She’d go on to be offered that opportunity, an opportunity that turned into three decades of service. “When I joined Howard in 1991, I came to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, which became the Office of the Provost and Chief Academic Officer in 1994,” Drake explained. 

Since then, Drake has seen and written about many different stages of university life, as it mirrored changes and innovation within society. 

“I joined the Howard University community in 1991 or academic year 1991-92 — before Hotmail, Yahoo, or Twitter,” she said. “So, I have been able to participate in the embrace of modern technology by all segments of our traditional institution.” 

Howard as an institution has continued to evolve in its commitment to its students and the community that looks to it as a beacon of Black excellence. Drake has been a critical part of communicating both internally and out to the world those initiatives which propel the university’s mission forward. She noted four significant university strategic planning initiatives the university engaged that she supported and is particularly proud of: HU 2000; the Strategic Framework for Action (SFAI &II); the Presidential Commission on Academic Renewal (PCAR); and Howard Forward. 

“These initiatives have had a tremendous impact on Howard’s evolution into a critical force in higher education,” which Drake said, quoting words she’d heard from President Frederick, is “the holder of many solutions to problems faced by people of color worldwide.”

I have deep admiration for the award’s namesake, LaRue Barkwell. I worked alongside her in the Office of the Provost and learned firsthand the value of being a dedicated and loyal member of the Howard University community.”–Regina Drake 

Thirty-five Years of Truth and Service & The Significance of the Award

Drake didn’t mention her own successes, instead pointing to the success of others, when speaking of what she is most proud of at this point in her career journey.

When asked what about her role brings her the most joy, she replied, “witnessing Howard continue to achieve incredible milestones through its programs, faculty, and students; knowing some of my assignments have helped support the efforts that went into those initiatives.” 

What’s kept her at Howard University all these years? “The sustained intellectual vitality of colleagues, faculty and students,” she noted.

Being named the 2026 LaRue V. Barkwell Capstone Distinguished Service Award honoree means a lot to Drake, who has a unique connection to the woman who the award is named for.

“I have deep admiration for the award’s namesake, LaRue Barkwell. I worked alongside her in the Office of the Provost and learned firsthand the value of being a dedicated and loyal member of the Howard University community,” she said. “This honor is the ultimate acknowledgement of my commitment to always do my best work regardless of the assignment.”