WASHINGTON, D.C. – The August sun rose over Howard University as campus streets once again filled with chatter, movement, and the familiar rumble of suitcase wheels. More than 2,700 freshmen arrived for move-in day, officially beginning their journey at the historic university known as The Mecca.
A Diverse and Ambitious Class
The Class of 2029 is among Howard’s most diverse in recent years. Students hail from 47 states and 34 countries, and nearly 900 freshmen are first-generation college students. According to the university, 98 percent of the incoming class comes from outside Washington, D.C., underscoring Howard’s wide-reaching appeal.
Move-in shifts were assigned by last name and residence hall, but for students and families, the day was more than logistics. It represented a profound emotional milestone—one filled with nervous anticipation, joy, and dreams of lasting friendships.
Mentorship and Community Spirit
To ease the transition, returning students volunteered as HerdLeaders, offering guidance, support, and encouragement throughout the week.
Kendra MaGee, a sophomore psychology major and dance minor from Memphis, Tennessee, said her goal was to ensure freshmen feel welcomed and supported.
“I have loved meeting every new student and making sure that they can contact me if they have any questions or for me to be a new friend,” she shared.
MaGee emphasized the importance of building connections with professors and not being afraid to put oneself out there.
Freshman Hopes and Dreams
For incoming students, the day was filled with excitement, nerves, and hope for the future.
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Maliyah Long, a pre-med major from Greensboro, North Carolina, was inspired by her sister, an alumna, to attend Howard. She said she’s eager to embrace everything from the pinning ceremony to pushing herself academically and socially.
“Pushing myself to every limit possible; networking, being more social and doing everything for my education,” Long said. “Everything is through God. Push through and pray. I put everything in his hands.”
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Alexi Waddy, a TV Media & Film production major from Virginia, said she looks forward to opportunities in the fine arts department, from chorus to theater. An aspiring attorney, Waddy hopes to join student council and advocate for her peers.
“Howard was the first HBCU on my radar… I want to be supported and seen; secure for the future,” she said.
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Reede Johnson, a communication and theater arts major from Chicago, decided on Howard after meeting students years earlier and researching HBCUs. Despite concerns circulating online about financial aid and dorms, Johnson remains focused.
“Don’t let ambition rob you of presence,” he said, quoting his own salutatorian speech.
Embracing Howard’s Legacy
For many students, move-in represents more than starting college—it is joining a legacy of excellence and leadership rooted in Black history and culture. Waddy said it best:
“It is refreshing to go to a school where people look like me and know how it feels to be young and Black growing up in America.”
Orientation and The Yard Experience
With move-in complete, students now begin Bison Week and orientation programming, which includes both academic sessions and social events designed to connect students with peers, mentors, and faculty.
As advice for the Class of 2029, MaGee reminded students to remain open and proactive.
“Build a connection with your professors and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, especially when it comes to friends. You never know who you can meet and become best friends with.”
For the newest Bison, the journey is just beginning—one filled with opportunity, growth, and the promise of carrying forward Howard University’s enduring legacy.
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