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Students and alumni celebrate Howard University's 100th homecoming


Students and alumni celebrate Howard University's 100th homecoming

This weekend, thousands from around the world will come to celebrate Howard University's 100th Homecoming Weekend.

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Students and alumni celebrate Howard University's 100th homecoming

On November 27, 1924, a new house would cost just over $6,000, Calvin Coolidge had just won a three-way presidential race, and the Howard Bison were taking on the Lincoln University Lions in their first homecoming.

This weekend, thousands from around the world will come to celebrate Howard University's 100th Homecoming Weekend.

“Howard’s homecoming is iconic,” said Kristi Love, a D.C.-based designer. “I am a graduate of this amazing school that I love so much.”



She told WTOP that she was commissioned by Howard to design artwork that could be used for photos in the HBCU's main quadrangle, known as “The Yard.”

“So everyone who is relevant, from the past, present and future, goes to this yard,” Love said. “That’s why the theme this year is the ‘Yard of Fame’.”

Love beamed with pride as she mentioned some of Howard's most famous alumni, including former Associate Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, singer Roberta Flack, actresses Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Sean Kincaid visited Howard during Vice President Harris' time at the university and said it was important to him to come back for homecoming.

“If you can come here and get your degree, that says a lot about you. You can't do it alone. I had a lot of help from my friends. People who were by my side when I was here. It takes a village, and this Howard village is huge,” he said.

This village is now home to Kincaid's niece.

“She’s studying the same thing I am, African American studies and sociology, and I’m so proud of her,” Kincaid said. “She’s on the dean’s list every semester. She’s way beyond where I was.”

There was a line of people wanting to take a photo with the Howard University entrance sign. One group consisted of members of the 2004 graduating class.

“There are about 15 of us here this weekend,” Pilin Anice said. “We are leaders across industries, from politics to PR and media. We’re out here – the movers and shakers!”

Anice told WTOP that she was proud that her class made such a generous donation to her alma mater.

“The class of 2004 just raised over $100,000 for a scholarship endowment for Howard students. That’s why we’re really proud to be back on campus today,” Anice said.

Skylar Spratt is a freshman at Howard and is looking forward to homecoming weekend. When asked what she's most looking forward to, she gave WTOP an answer that would probably make her parents proud.

“I’m really looking forward to connecting with people,” Spratt said. “We might get some chances.”

Not every new student is looking forward to socializing. Campbell Johnson of Columbus, Ohio, is looking forward to the fun.

“We have parties, there’s the football game and of course today there’s the Yard Fest,” he said. “This is my first homecoming.”

On Saturday, the Howard Bison football team will face the Tennessee State Tigers at 3:30 p.m

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