Howard University has made major changes within the last few weeks. Not long ago, the historically Black university tapped Phylicia Rashad to lead its newly re-established college of fine arts.
“It is an honor to welcome one of Howard’s acclaimed daughters back home to Alma Mater,” Howard University Provost Anthony K. Wutoh said.
“In this full-circle moment, Ms. Phylicia Rashad will take the training and skills that she honed as a student at Howard and exuded in an outstanding performing career, and she will share those pearls of wisdom with the next generation of students in the College of Fine Arts. Her passion for the arts and student success makes her a perfect fit for this role.”
Rashad is one of the most accomplished graduates of the university and had appeared in legendary projects like Creed, A Different World, Soul, The Wiz and For Colored Girls. Along her journey, she has connected with fellow Howard University graduates like Anthony Anderson, Taraji P. Henson and the late Chadwick Boseman. She taught Boseman when he was a student at "The Mecca" and appeared in Black Panther with him years late. This week, their relationship took an unexpected twist when it was announced that Howard University would rename its college of fine arts after the late actor.
"Chad fought to preserve the College of Fine Arts during his matriculation at Howard and remained dedicated to the fight throughout his career, and he would be overjoyed by this development," Boseman's family told NBC News.
"His time at Howard University helped shape both the man and the artist that he became, committed to truth, integrity, and a determination to transform the world through the power of storytelling."
Boseman's ties to Howard University and Rashad go deeper than simply obtaining a degree from the institution. As a student, he helped lead a protest to prevent the college of fine arts from being merged with the college of arts and sciences. Also, Boseman's career was partially launched when he was offered an opportunity to participate in a study abroad program in London. Unable to afford the program, Rashad and Denzel Washington covered his tuition and fees. After all of these years, Rashad will help Boseman once more by leading the Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts.
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