MEDIA ADVISORY 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 14, 2026 

Howard University Contact 

Lydia Sermons or Carol Wilkerson 

Email: mediarelations@howard.edu   
Phone: 202-803-3501 or 202-288-7071 

Follett Higher Education Contact 

media@follett.com  

WHAT:  

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Howard University will host the grand opening of the new and improved campus bookstore on Georgia Avenue. The reopening follows a $1.4 million investment by Follett, North America’s leading campus retailer and education services provider, to reimagine the campus retail experience at Howard. From expanded premium merchandise to dedicated spaces for studying, events, and celebrating Howard authors and entrepreneurs, the newly renovated Bison Exchange reflects the culture, legacy, and community that define the University. 

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will feature executives and administrators from both Howard University and Follett. The 88th Miss Howard University, Ssanyu Lukoma, will accept a donation of 100 books to Brown Kids Read, a non-profit organization she founded to inspire children to read more diverse literature. 

WHEN/WHERE: 

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026 

Howard University Campus Bookstore 
2225 Georgia Ave. NW  

Washington, D.C. 20059 

WHO: 

Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick 

Follett President Ryan Petersen 

Howard University Senior VP for Administration Rashad Young 

88th Miss Howard University Ssanyu Lukoma 

AVP of Auxiliary Services LaNiece Tyree 

RSVP / CREDENTIALING: 

Members of the media planning to cover this event should RSVP by Sept. 15 at 3 p.m., by emailing mediarelations@howard.edu. Parking and additional logistical information will be provided following RSVP confirmation. 

PARKING: Parking for news trucks is permitted in designated public parking zones. For more information on parking or street closures, visit Campus Parking | Office of Auxiliary Enterprises. All parking requests should be submitted to mediarelations@howard.edu  

Please include the following:  

• Media outlet and on-site contact (name, mobile, email) 
• Number of vehicles and any oversized/production trucks 
• Vehicle details (make/model/color/license plate if available) 
• Public parking will be available at Howard Center Lot and does not need to be submitted as a formal request. 

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About Follett Higher Education 

Follett Higher Education is a leading educational service provider and omnichannel retailer serving more than 1,000 colleges and universities across North America. Follett partners with institutions to deliver course materials, learning tools and retail experiences that support student success and celebrate the communities it serves. 

About Howard University  

Howard University, established in 1867, is a leading private research university based in Washington, D.C. Howard’s 14 schools and colleges offer 140 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs and lead the nation in producing African Americans with professional doctoral degrees. Howard is the top-ranked historically Black college or university according to Forbes, the only HBCU with an R1 research institution designation, and the only HBCU ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s Top 100 National Universities. Renowned for its esteemed faculty, high achieving students, and commitment to excellence, leadership, truth and service, Howard produces distinguished alumni across all sectors, which have included the first Black U.S. Supreme Court justice and the first woman U.S. vice president; a Nobel Prize laureate; Schwarzman, Marshall, Rhodes and Truman Scholars; prestigious fellows; and over 170 Fulbright recipients. Learn more at www.howard.edu.