Friday, June 14, 2019

Howard University's Community Connections Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 6: Commencement 2019

From: Howard University Community Association
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2019 3:03 PM
Subject: Community Connections Newsletter

JUNE 2019









Volume 1, Issue 6







A monthly newsletter brought to you by the Howard University Community Association, highlighting the University's contribution across the District of Columbia and beyond!









Commencement 2019:
Kasim Reed Calls Howard University "A Dream Factory For Our People"






WASHINGTON – During Howard University’s Commencement Ceremony on May 11th, Kasim Reed, former Atlanta mayor and noted Howard alumnus and trustee emeritus, lauded his alma mater as a “dream factory for our people.”

“Howard was built to be a dream factory for a people – a place where you can come and be a pastor, a nurse, a teacher, an engineer, a social worker, a physician, a scientist, a lawyer, a place where if you had the grit and the toughness and the intellect, then your lesson plan could become a dream plan. And that’s what’s happening today,” Reed told the assembled graduates and their families.

Reed served two terms as the 59th mayor of the city of Atlanta from 2010 to 2018. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Howard University. He applauded members of the Class of 2019 for their decisions to become a part of Howard’s rich legacy of leaders.

“We are the place where if you are an African American lawyer, there is a one-third chance you graduated from Howard. If you are an African American physician, there is a one-fifth chance that you went to Howard. We are a place that has a unique ability to take raw talent, energy, and grit and weave it into a beautiful mosaic. In fact, I am looking at it right now,” said Reed.

“Take full advantage of your physical capacity. I know that as you sit there with your future ahead of you, you feel like you have all the time in the world. You don’t,” Reed stated emphatically. “Excellence, greatness, and passion are where the grind is. Do not squander your physical capacity to work all day and work all night when needed.”

This year’s Commencement Convocation marks the commemoration of Howard University’s 151st graduating class. Howard University President Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick said the ceremony was made possible because of “countless and fearless leaders” in the past who pursued justice, equality and education.









Howard University Researchers Release Manuscript On Breakthrough
For Antiviral Drugs










WASHINGTON – Howard University researchers within the Department of Biology have published a breakthrough manuscript today on developing broad antiviral drugs that will inhibit pathogenic viruses from replication. This is a stark difference from current antiviral drugs that become less effective as viruses become more resistant. The report, published by peer reviewed biomedical journal Oncotarget and featured on the journal cover page, takes a detailed look at the Howard University team’s innovative approach to isolating antiviral compounds and the possibility of future drugs that will offer effective and durable treatment for many pathogenic viruses. As a proof of concept, the paper detailed the effectiveness of the drugs against Herpes Simplex Virus-1, a common virus that causes painful sores on genitals and/or mouth.

"The work of Dr. Ullah and his research team is a critical breakthrough in the development of antiviral drugs,” says Provost and Chief Academic Officer Anthony K. Wutoh. “We anticipate that this work will ultimately impact the development of medications to treat various illnesses, including more effective treatments against Herpes Simplex Virus-1."

Associate Professor of Biology Hemayet Ullah, Ph.D. leads the team of student and faculty researchers and identified a host protein called RACK1, which is often used by pathogenic viruses for their own replication. “Though the results are preliminary, they show high efficacy in the lab experimentation. The novelty of this approach ensures that the drugs will not be only specific to a single virus but will be effective against diverse pathogenic viruses that use the same host factor. A number of human pathogenic viruses are already known to use the same host factor. What we now need are tests in animal model and in pre-clinical trials. Hopefully with funding available, we will be able achieve these goals in 2 to 3 years,” explained Ullah.

Most of the wet lab research works were completed at the University, citing the modern lab space inside the Interdisciplinary Research Center as a facilitator for multi lab collaboration.

To read the entire manuscript, click here.
















EAST OF THE RIVER

'WHUR Kings Dominion Kindness Challenge'



At a time when so many people find themselves victims of rude or discourteous behavior, Howard University Radio (WHUR 96.3) embarked on a campaign to spur kindness in the DMV. 

The radio station asked fifth graders at schools in the District, Prince George’s County, and Alexandria to tell us how they go about their day being kind to others. The responses were priceless.  Here are some of the responses we got to our 'WHUR Kings Dominion Kindness Challenge'.

-Kindness is about helping others when help is needed.
-Kindness is being nice and grateful for what you have.
-Kindness is being fair and sharing.
-Kindness is picking up something when someone drops something.
-Kindness means you can help anybody. Just try.
-Kindness means you have to be kind to more than one person.
-Kindness means to treat everyone they way you want to be treated.

Schools submitted two-minute videos showing fifth graders exhibiting kindness, generosity, good citizenship, and great character. Their respective school superintendents chose three schools.  Pictured above, Garfield Elementary in SE, D.C., one of the three challenge winners.

The 150 student winners received tickets to Kings Dominion, complete with parking passes, lunch, and fast passes to avoid long lines at the amusement park. The teachers received WHUR t-shirts, wrist bands, and other goodies.



'Maya Angelou Festival'

On June 1, the Sixth Annual Maya Angelou Festival was held in Ward 7’s Maya Angelou Public Charter High School (PCHS). The event featured community-based information and education programs along with family fun activities, speakers and multiple health screenings. Representing Howard were the Howard University Hospital (HUH), the HUH CARES WIC Family Centers, the HU Department of Nutritional Sciences, the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and the College of Dentistry. Maya Angelou PCHS is one of the sites for the Howard School-Based Behavioral Health Care Project.















Howard University Cancer Center Honors Union Temple’s
Rev. Willie F. Wilson
WASHINGTON – The Howard University Cancer Center will honor Rev. Willie F. Wilson, the longtime pastor of Union Temple Baptist Church in Anacostia, with its “Brother’s Keeper” Award for his leadership and support of the annual Walk2Win 5K prostate cancer community walk.

The Howard alumnus will be honored on June 15 at the first annual Men's Health Conference: From One Brother To Another A Conversation About Our Health, presented by the Cancer Center.

“Washington is No. 1 in the nation in prostate cancer; and it particularly affects African Americans,” Rev. Wilson says. “We began supporting the walk six years ago because it was very important to bring about change, heighten awareness, and raise funds around prostate cancer. The men in our church are very enthusiastic about the walk each year.”

Walk2Win The Fight Against Prostate Cancer (W2W) 5K is a community walk held every June in Washington, DC. Each year the walk raises $5,000 which is used to support the Men Take Ten Program which in addition to education and outreach around prostate cancer, provides access to free prostate screening for uninsured men and, if needed, diagnostic testing including a biopsy.

The Men’s Health conference will feature a panel of experts engaging in a conversation with attendees about health issues that face men today and what they can do to overcome them. Men from all ages are encouraged to attend. 

The event will take place June 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Walter E. Lester Auditorium at Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Ave., NW. It is free to public and provides lunch. The Men’s Health Conference is sponsored by AmerigroupBayer and Myriad
Register for the conference HERE

Why do we need to fight prostate cancer, especially in greater Washington, DC?

·    Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men, regardless of race or ethnicity.
·    Black men are up to 60% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than men of other races.
·    Black men are more likely to develop prostate cancer at an earlier age and to have aggressive tumor growth.
·    30,000 men die from prostate cancer in the US every year.
·    The District of Columbia leads the United States in the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer and the number of deaths from prostate cancer.

The Howard University Cancer Center provides free prostate and breast cancer screening services to uninsured men and women living in the DC Metropolitan area.
For more information, call (202) 806-2878








Howard University Professor Appointed To Commission On The Value Of Postsecondary Education

WASHINGTONHoward University Professor of Counseling Psychology Ivory Toldson, Ph.D., has been selected for the Commission on the Value of Postsecondary Education, a new panel created by leaders of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to take a closer look at the economic returns of education after high school. Toldson is one of 30 higher education leaders, business representatives and foundation experts who will review the value of undergraduate certificates and degrees regarding where and what students are studying, how much their education costs, and their post college earnings. 

“With higher levels of scrutiny of college cost, against the backdrop of a rapidly changing occupational landscape, it’s time to provide guidance to higher education leaders and consumers on how postsecondary education can continue to drive our economy,” explains Toldson.

According to the commission, its primary goal is to provide useful information to help colleges and universities take a critical look at their contribution to economic opportunities for the modern student, and to make changes in policy and practice to improve their contributions. As the only panel member representing a Historically Black Colleges or University (HBCU), Toldson’s research and knowledge places him in a unique position to speak on the challenges students of color may face when achieving degrees and realizing their economic benefits.

“College attainment among African Americans has the potential to resolve racial gaps in wealth, however, we must be thoughtful about the connections we make between a college degree and long term financial success,” says Toldson. “On the commission, it is important for me to represent the students who make the greatest sacrifices to finish college, but also might have the most to gain.”

Within the next year, the commission will share its findings after exploring options for gauging the economic outcomes for students earning certificates and degrees. 









'Freedom School' Summer Camp

Howard University is sponsoring its third annual Freedom School from June 24 to August 2. This year the program will be held on the main campus in the School of Social Work. As a six-week summer reading enrichment program with the goal of building strong, literate, and empowered children, the Howard University Freedom School will serve third through eighth grade students from the Howard University and surrounding community.

As part of the Children’s Defense Fund model, one of the key components of the Freedom School program is Harambee!, a Swahili term for “pull together”. During Harambee!, Freedom School scholars participate in motivational cheers, songs, chants and storytelling. Community leaders come and share their favorite children’s book or story as “read-aloud” guests. Read-aloud guests are asked questions by the Freedom School scholars and are welcomed into the Freedom School community.

To register, contact Cynthia Rodwell at cynthia.rodwell@howard.edu 














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. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. www.howard.edu



Howard University Community Association ph: 202-806-2489 & 202-806-2661
Office of Off-Campus Housing & Community Engagement ph: 202-806-9216
Howard University Hospital Community Relations ph: 202-865-4238



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