Howard University Renames Communications School for John H. Johnson

John H. Johnson was presented Sept. 26 with an honorary doctor of humane letters degree at the university's annual convocation.

By Kerry-Ann Hamilton
Black College Wire

Howard University formally renamed its School of Communications after John H. Johnson, legendary founder of Johnson Publishing Co., which produces Ebony and Jet magazines.

Johnson, who donated $4 million to the school, was presented Sept. 26 with an honorary doctor of humane letters degree at the university's annual convocation.

"The John H. Johnson School of Communications will strive to achieve the level you have set with these contributions. We give pride and honor to you," said Jannette Dates, dean of the school. Dates gave Johnson a printout of the school's updated Web site, which now calls the school, "The John H. Johnson School of Communications."

Photo credit: Roger Roman Earl Graves of Black Enterprise magazine praises honoree John H. Johnson, left, at Howard University convocation.

Also honored at the ceremony was Earl G. Graves, publisher of Black Enterprise magazine and an authority on black business development. He was given the Citation of Achievement Award.

Howard University President H. Patrick Swygert said the two honorees "have been a living example. They show that the American dream can be attained."

Actor Ossie Davis was named a visiting professor to the School of Communications beginning in October.

Also attending the convocation were civil rights activist Jesse Jackson and William H. Gray III, president of the United Negro College Fund. Swygert welcomed the incoming class of 2007 and its more than 1,400 members, including 71 National Achievement Scholars.

Johnson's humble beginnings in segregated Arkansas along with his determination to overcome the obstacles through education and hard work were recounted repeatedly throughout the ceremony.

Gray described Johnson's philanthropic commitment to higher education. Besides serving on the UNCF board for more than 30 years, Johnson "contributes significantly to offsetting the cost of an education for many African American students attending the 39 UNCF member schools," he said.

In the convocation, Graves implored students to live up to the legacy of those who have gone before. "Among Howard University?s graduates are architects of the legal strategy that dismantled segregation. You have made a pact with the founders of that legacy," Graves told students.

He urged students to work for social change. "The global consequence of our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan will remain for a long time. Racial disparities in health care, HIV/AIDS are concerns in our society today."

The School of Communications, which was established more than 30 years ago, offers undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees in journalism, communication and culture, communication sciences and disorders, and radio, television and film.

Kerry-Ann Hamilton, a 2003 graduate of Howard University, is pursuing a master?s degree in international affairs at American University in Washington, D.C.

Posted Sept. 29, 2003