President Sidney A. Ribeau Delivers 141st Opening Convocation Address
David Oliver Accepts Special Citation of Achievement

WASHINGTON (September 29, 2008) - Cramton Auditorium was filled to capacity as students, faculty and staff gathered to hear Howard University 16th President Sidney A. Ribeau deliver the keynote address during the 141st opening convocation on Friday, Sept. 26.

President Ribeau presided over his first convocation since taking the helm on August 1 and stressed the importance of the University maintaining its place as a Research Institution.

“I would like to see Howard University as one of the top 50 Universities in the United States and unique in its research position among all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs),” said Ribeau.

During the ceremony, alumnus and Olympic medalist David Oliver (B.B.A. ’04) received a Special Citation of Achievement for his stunning performance during the summer Olympic games in Beijing. Oliver clinched the bronze medal in the Olympic 110-meter hurdles.

During his acceptance Oliver expressed his appreciation at being honored by his Alma Mater. “This is a pretty exciting moment standing at the podium at the 141st convocation. I didn’t see this coming when I checked in room 412 in Drew Hall in 2000,” said Oliver.

While at Howard, the 6-foot-2 athlete won four MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) championships in the 110-meter hurdles. He graduated in 2004 with a marketing degree from the School of Business.

Convocation is the official beginning of the academic year and serves as a welcoming ceremony for first-year students and an opportunity to honor Howard’s recent accomplishments.

Howard University is one of 48 U.S. private, Doctoral/Research-Extensive universities and comprises 12 schools and colleges. Founded in 1867, students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Since 1998, the University has produced two Rhodes Scholars, a Truman Scholar, 19 Fulbright Scholars and 10 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African- American Ph.D.s than any other university in the world. For more information about Howard University, call 202-238-2330, or visit the University's Web site at www.howard.edu.