Howard University’s alumni have long known what the world is increasingly recognizing: Howard University is “One of One.” Now, that sentiment will be immortalized as the theme of Howard’s 2025 Homecoming, October 19-26, which is also the 101st anniversary of the annual celebration which invites alumni back to campus. One of One: Howard University Homecoming 2025 will highlight the many ways the university is in a category by itself.  Unique among the world’s colleges and universities, Howard has often stood alone as one of one— as the only, the first, or at the top. The theme recognizes the fearlessness with which Howard has pursued truth and service since 1867, the relentlessness with which it pursues it today, and the invention with which it will lead in the future. “One of One” also references unity and a commitment to make sure that all members of the Howard community — students, alumni, employees, and supporters — have a voice in the perpetuation of the Howard legacy. 

“As we gather for the 101st Homecoming anniversary, we celebrate not only the triumphant return of alumni to The Mecca, but also the unbreakable bond that unites us across generations," said Princess Gamble, vice president of development and alumni relations and interim chief development officer at Howard. "We stand together in honor of the collective strength and enduring legacy of our beloved institution, and in steadfast support of our students—tomorrow’s visionaries and changemakers. None can rival the dedication of Howard alumni to their alma mater."

This past year saw Howard ranked as the #1 HBCU by Forbes and LinkedIn and recognized as the only HBCU with top tier (Research One) status, but for 158 years, the university has been a fearless pioneer in education, culture, and human rights. It is home to the first HBCU medical school, law school, dental school, and student newspaper. Legendary international organizations were founded at Howard, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and the National Pharmaceutical Association. Faculty at Howard sparked the Harlem Renaissance, created the legal strategy that ended segregation, developed the transformative process of mobile blood banking, and invented the mathematical models behind artificial intelligence. 

“A ‘One of One Homecoming’ celebrates 101 years of creating a legacy, rooted in our past, unmatched in our present, and unstoppable in our future,” said Naesoj Ware, executive president of the Howard University Student Association (HUSA), which envisioned the theme. 

Howard is singular in its production of graduates who have made history as the first Black leaders in the most influential positions: popularly elected U.S. senator, popularly elected governor of a state, Supreme Court justice, United Nations ambassador, and mayor of a major U.S. city. Howard produced the first Black female member of a presidential cabinet and the only African American Nobel Prize laureate in literature, and Howard is the only college to ever produce a woman who became vice president of the United States. This year’s Homecoming will celebrate these and so many other ways in which Howard is singular and unique. 

More information about Howard's Homecoming can be found at homecoming.howard.edu.