WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 22, 2016) - The year 2016 marks 45 years of the Howard University School of Communications providing excellence in “truth and service,” as demonstrated by its track record of graduating the most African-American communications professionals.

To celebrate this milestone, the School will bring alumni, faculty and friends together for a 45th Anniversary Soirée. The event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at the Newseum/Knight Conference Center in Washington, D.C. National co-hosts of the SOC 45th Anniversary event are alumna Michelle Miller, CBS news correspondent, and her husband, Marc Morial, former mayor of New Orleans and now president/CEO of the National Urban League.

“The 45^th Anniversary Soirée is an exciting time for us to look back and look forward to the future.  This anniversary is an opportunity for our alumni and friends to embrace the significance of our history and our future in educating and preparing communication professionals.” said Gracie Lawson-Borders, Ph.D., dean of the School of Communications, which was founded in 1971.

For nearly 45 years, the School has trained journalists, filmmakers and other communication professionals through six premier programs: advertising, audio production, journalism, media management, public relations and TV/film production. SOC graduates are known internationally for their leadership through communication research, professional practice, innovation, job creation, social justice and service. They are represented among the 45^th anniversary honorees:

• D'Artagnan Bebel – Vice President & General Manager, FOX 26, Class of '82
• Constance Cannon Frazier – Chief Operating Officer, American Advertising Federation (AAF), Class of '78
• Dr. Johnetta G. Davis – Retired, Associate Dean for Student Affairs Policy and Director of the Office of Graduate Recruitment & Retention, University of Maryland, Class of '76
• Fredricka Whitfield – News Anchor, CNN, Class of '87
• Christopher Cathcart – President & Founder, OneDiaspora Group, Class of '90

NBCUniversal will receive the Corporate Award for:

• Supporting programs and hiring SOC graduates over the last half-century
• Fostering a multicultural and inclusive work environment as well as
• Promoting diversity for more innovative and productive work teams to achieve more sustainable results for its shareholders. 

Soirée tickets to celebrate the honorees and the School of Communications’ 45^th anniversary are $75 for individuals and $45 for their companions. Student tickets are also $45. Proceeds benefit the School of Communications Anniversary Fund for scholarships and program support. In addition to scholarships, funding opportunities include endowed professorships, the Speech and Hearing Clinic, the Tech Center, the Debate Team and the Media Innovation Center.

For tickets, sponsorships, donations and other details, please contact Maria Johnson at (202) 238-2518 or maria.johnson@howard.edu. The secondary contact is Victor Montgomery, director of events and special projects, at vmontgomery@howard.edu.

You can also visit http://communications.howard.edu for more information and join us via social media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1060334974007535/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HUSOCAA/?fref=ts
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/husocdc
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HUCAA1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hucaa/
• Dean’s Blog: http://schoolofcdeansblog.blogspot.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8475898/profile

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. Since 1998, the University has produced two Rhodes Scholars, two Truman Scholars, a Marshall Scholar, 30 Fulbright Scholars and 11 Pickering Fellows. 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, call 202-238-2330, or visit the University's Web site at www.howard.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Anthony Owens 

202-870-9208

anthony.owens@howard.edu