FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kerry-Ann Hamilton
Media Relations Manager
k_hamilton@howard.edu
202-238-2332

Howard Ranks No. 1 by National Science Foundation

Washington D.C. (September 11, 2009) - The National Science Foundation ranked Howard University first as the producer of the highest number of African-American bachelor’s degree recipients who continued on with their studies and earned science and engineering doctoral degrees nationally.

The report, “Role of HBCUs as Baccalaureate-Origin Institutions of Black S&E Doctorate Recipients,” examines educational trends over the past two decades and compares private and public schools and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) with non-HBCU institutions to determine how many of their students later earn doctoral degrees in science and engineering fields.

Howard led the country with 224 doctoral recipients in science and engineering from 1997-2006. HBCUs took eight of the top 10 spots. Rounding out the leaders were Spelman College (150), Hampton University (135), Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (100), Morehouse College (99), North Carolina A&T University (89), Southern University A&M College at Baton Rouge (79), and Xavier University (73). Our prominence in this area is a testament to our faculty for their student mentoring and professional activities, and research that facilitates the success of our students.

“This is exciting news for Howard University,” said Dr. Alvin Thornton, Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer. “The STEM disciplines -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- are assigned a high priority at Howard. An important dimension of the University's mission is the preparation of African American and other underrepresented students for doctoral-level graduate study and professional careers in the STEM disciplines."

Thornton adds, “Significant credit goes to our faculty for their student mentoring and professional activities, and research that facilitates the success of our students. We are pleased with the contribution that we are able to make to our nation in this important area of national need.”

The report underscores the critical role HBCUs play in nurturing and producing leaders in sciences.

To read the full report visit http://nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf08319/

Updated 4/03/09