WASHINGTON – Two Howard University seniors, Rhyan Lake and Virgil Parker, were recently named 2020 HBCU Competitiveness Scholars by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Parker and Lake will serve for one academic school year representing Howard University in the 2020-2021 cohort of Competitiveness Scholars – the initiative's highest student recognition.

“On behalf of the entire Howard University community, it brings me great pleasure to congratulate Rhyan and Virgil on their selection as 2020 HBCU Competitiveness Scholars,” said President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “Their commitment to academic excellence, service, and civic participation is noteworthy and deserving of recognition. We look forward to their continued success and growth as Howard representatives in the program.”

Lake, a senior political science major, strategic, legal, and management communications minor, from Nashville, Tenn., is an award-winning student leader. She has successfully competed on the Howard University Mock Trial Team winning eight Outstanding Attorney awards from the American Mock Trial Association. She served as the 2019-2020 deputy chief of staff for the School of Communications Student Council and will serve as the chief policy advisor for the Howard University Student Association in the upcoming academic year.

“Being named an HBCU Competitiveness Scholar is a great honor and to represent Howard University is even greater,” said Lake. “I'm blessed to have such a strong support system, from family to peers to professors, who have poured so much into me.”

Off campus, Lake has pursued her passion for electoral politics with a variety of internships, from non-profit organizations to positions on Capitol Hill. In her home state, she served as an intern for the Tennessee Democratic Party and the Mariah Phillips for Tennessee campaign. Lake looks forward to a long career in politics as a manager for major political campaigns for progressive candidates across the country.

Parker, a journalism major and African American studies minor from Rochester, N.Y., has received several prestigious scholarships and awards in the recent past. He is a 2020 Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Fellow, a 2020 William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellow, and 2019 United States Chamber of Commerce Next-Gen Scholar. Parker has also demonstrated incredible work ethic, serving as an intern for the Office of the Mayor in his hometown and the Office of Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer in Washington, as well as interning for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.  

He has been active in student organizations on Howard’s campus, and as a member of the Howard University Debate Team, participated in the highly publicized 10^th Annual NAACP “Great Debate” Competition against Harvard University. Parker has a global worldview which he has cultivated through his participation in multiple study abroad programs and mission trips to the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

"I am very honored and excited to be selected as a 2020 HBCU Competitiveness Scholar,” said Parker. “This program will give me the chance to advocate for the concerns of Howard students and ensure that the vitality of our HBCUs is a top priority for America."

Competitiveness Scholars typically assemble during the annual National HBCU Week Conference. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, scholars will not be able to convene in Washington, D.C., for the National Recognition Program in the fall. Instead, plans are underway for an online recognition and virtual campaign to ensure the scholars receive their acknowledgement during the 2020 Virtual HBCU Week Conference. During this unique academic school year, the initiative will work to develop a robust calendar of virtual events for the scholars that will explore and exchange ideas, and share best practices around leadership, professional development, career pathways, government resources, and much more.

###

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 one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. 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: Misha Cornelius, misha.cornelius@howard.edu