Portraits at Howard University
Students and teachers at historically black Howard University
Chris Wild
1946
A student on campus.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
These pictures of students and teachers at historically black Howard University in Washington, D.C. were taken for LIFE magazine by Alfred Eisenstaedt. Two years before Eisenstaedt took the pictures, the university's administration had asked its students to cease a campaign of protests and sit-ins against Washington diners and stores that refused to serve them.Howard University was founded by General Oliver Howard in 1866, the year after the Civil War ended. General Howard held the federal role of commissioner of refugees, freedmen and abandoned lands, and was president of the university from 1869 to 1874. In 1926, Dr. Mordecai W. Johnson became Howard University's first African-American president. Today, while Howard is open to all students, more than 90% of Howard students are African-American.
John C. Norman, then a freshman at Howard.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Its most valuable assets are its 12,400 alumni who are in positions of authority and respect throughout the nation. - LIFE Magazine, Nov. 18, 1946
A co-ed student on campus.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Howard ranks among the highest producers of the nation's Black professionals in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, architecture, religion, law, music, social work and education. - Howard University
Co-ed Patricia Shaw, an English major at Howard University.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
A co-ed student on campus.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
A co-ed student on campus.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
James Nabrit, secretary of Howard University.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
A Howard University student working in the laboratory.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Eugene Brown, a business major.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Gloria Hixon, zoology teacher at Howard.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Two co-ed students on campus.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Two students on campus.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Two students on campus.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Sophmores Sara Wright and Walter Hall on campus at Howard.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Student model posing for art class at Howard University.
Credit: Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
