Kofi Annan Addresses Howard University Graduates

Addressing one of the largest crowds ever to attend a Howard University Commencement, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on May 8, 1999, encouraged the graduates to seek to change the world for the better ­ "not just for yourselves, but for your fellow citizens, here and around the world."

He added emphatically, "You can change it!"

The speaker was introduced by President H. Patrick Swygert who, with the assistance of Trustee Board Chairman Frank Savage, awarded Mr. Annan the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Before a crowd in excess of 20,000, nearly 2,500 students received undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees during the ceremony, which

also saw honorary degrees awarded to James L. Farmer, founder of the Congress of Racial Equality; James A. Johnson, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Fannie Mae Board of Directors; Jackie Joyner-Kersee, six-time Olympic medallist; and posthumously to Kwame Ture (an HU alumnus also known as Stokely Carmichael), in addition to Mr. Annan.

The Secretary General praised Howard for the role it has played and is playing in preparing African Americans and Africans to make contributions to their own countries and to world peace.

Annan dealt extensively with the legacy of Ralph J. Bunche, who headed the political science department at Howard University before joining the State Department and later the United Nations. Bunche, Annan said, was an example for us all. "Throughout our common history," he said, Howard and the United Nations have fought side by side ­ in the independence struggle of African countries, and in the fight to end apartheid in South Africa."

continued >>>

President H. Patrick Swygert reads the Citation for Secretary General Kofi Annan as
Trustee Chairman Frank Savage prepares to assist with the academic hood.

top of page

Task Force Formed To View Study Abroad

Co-op Students Fill Positions at State Department

From the Director’s Desk

UN Stint For International Affairs Aspirant

Images of Summer 1999

Two U.S. Ambassadors Address Foreign Policy Issues
- Ambassador Tarr-Whelan on Women in Global Economy
- Ambassador Simpson on Congo

Provost Lectures on Bunche at U.S. Department of State

'99 Graduates To Teach in Japan

Comparative Race Relations Subject of Seminar Trilogy

Eastern Europeans Study Public Administration at Howard; Enjoy US, Learning Experience

Brown Bag Discussions

Venezuelan Author Will Discuss Her Novel

High Schoolers To Study Foreign Affairs

Middle East Studies

Korea: Crisis and Opportunity

PRH Project Unfolds at Howard University

Inter-American Development Bank Official Ponders Global Economic Crisis

Bunche Center Welcomes New Deputy Director

Graduate Student Presents Research Paper in South Africa

Senator Simon Keynotes African Language Seminar

Group Studies, Explores in Monterrey, Mexico

Global Foundation Head Visits Howard University

Is Russia a Great Power in World Affairs?

Cook in Germany

Wanda Porter is First Bunche Intern at State

NEWS BRIEFS