Discover 10 Amazing Fun Facts About Howard University You Never Knew!

1. Taraji P. Henson: Animal Rights Superhero

Fluff those pillows, Fido and Fluffy, because your guardian's a legit superhero: Taraji P. Henson, the fierce actress, doubles as a dedicated advocate for animal rights, having worked as a spokesperson for PETA and baring it all in their "I'd Rather Go Naked..." campaign to combat animal cruelty.
Source => bet.com

2. The Epic Battle for the Real HU Crown

When Real HU-ters collide, it's no holds barred: Howard University and Hampton University's football rivalry, dating back to 1908, is a tantalizing tango of tradition and talent, even snagging a shout-out from former President Barack Obama in 2010. As of 2021, Hampton edges ahead with a 55-41-1 overall advantage, but the race for the Real HU crown remains fierce and fabulous.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know the oldest African American operated university in the nation has a history as rich as Aunt Jemima's syrup? Discover the fascinating story of Wilberforce University and how it survived a catastrophic fire and a Civil War closure! 🎓🔥

=> Fun Facts about Hbcus

3. Money DOES Grow in Howard's Gardens

They say money doesn't grow on trees, but at Howard University, it sprouts from the ground: Homes within 1000 feet of the university's community gardens see a statistically significant boost in property values, with top-notch gardens making the strongest impact. These green spaces don't just cultivate veggies; they foster relationships, interpersonal skills, and improved nutrition, leading to economic redemption and a higher quality of life in the nearby areas.
Source => nccommunitygardens.ces.ncsu.edu

4. The Dance of Howard's Dynamic Fonts

If typography were a college party, Howard University would have two fonts dominating the dance floor, shaking their serifs, and making it legible for everyone: Behold, the Serif12 Beta and Eau Sans dynamic duo! The serious reveal: These two typefaces, Serif12 Beta and Eau Sans, are the university's design baes, often partnering up in applications, with Open Sans stepping in for Eau Sans in digital uses for better readability and weight variety.
Source => ouc.howard.edu

5. The Record-Breaking Class of 2014

Get your gowns in a bunch and throw those caps into the air like you just don't care: Howard University's class of 2014 was the largest in the university's history with over 2,600 eager beavers, even breaking records in the number of PhDs handed out.
Source => washingtonpost.com

6. The History Behind Howard's Bison Mascot

From Harvard hand-me-downs to truly Bison-tastic: Howard University's Bison mascot was born in 1892 when the team received uniforms from Harvard and initially became known as the "Thundering Herd." Under the guidance of head coach Edward Morrison, they went on to claim three consecutive Black National championships, flirted with the name "Bulldogs," and finally settled with Bison, inspired by the honorable buffalo symbol given to colored soldiers post-Civil War and by Morrison's time as a sergeant in the Army. In 2015, the University revamped the Bison logo, giving it a signature Howard touch.
Source => thedig.howard.edu

7. The All-Star Howard University Alumni

From Wakanda to the Supreme Court, it seems Howard University has been brewing some serious talent soup: boasting a diverse and accomplished alumni base, it proudly lists award-winning actors like Chadwick A. Boseman, literary legends like Toni Morrison, and groundbreaking U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall among its esteemed graduates.
Source => admission.howard.edu

8. Dancing for a Cause with Celebrity Alumnae

When the sisters of Clair Huxtable and Fame put on their dancing shoes for a campus cause, you know it's serious business: Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad, Howard University alumni, showed up to support student protestors demanding better living conditions and representation, ultimately revealing some differences in opinion in a video that made the rounds on social media.
Source => blackenterprise.com

9. An African Diaspora Literary Treasure

If you thought you had an impressive book collection, wait till you hear about this educational treasure trove: Howard University's Moorland-Spingarn Research Center houses over 175,000 literary gems ranging from 16th-century works by Phillis Wheatley to contemporary masterpieces by Toni Morrison, making it one of the world's largest and most comprehensive documentation centers on African and African diaspora history and culture.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

10. Hogwarts Meets Black Excellence at Howard

If Hogwarts met Black Excellence, it would undoubtedly result in the magically brilliant school known as Howard University: Boasting a legacy of producing top-tier Black professionals in various fields, this 89-acre campus with over 11,000 students has evolved from a single-frame structure in 1867 to housing the largest gathering of Black scholars in the world, all committed to dismantling social inequities across race, color, and economic disparities.
Source => howard.edu