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Statement by
H. Patrick Swygert
President, Howard University
Before the House Appropriations Subcommittee
on Labor, Health & Human Services and Education
on the
Fiscal Year 1999 Budget Request
for Howard University
Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of the Committee:
It is once again my honor to appear before you to discuss the fiscal year 1999 budget request for Howard University. With me today are Dr. Antoine Garibaldi, the University Provost; Dr. Floyd Malveaux, Vice President for Health Affairs and Mr. Thomas Elzey, Vice President for Business and Fiscal Affairs.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to begin my testimony with an overview of the University in the form of an analytical abstract that delineates the progress achieved at the University since our last appearance before the Committee and identifies the challenges that remain with us.
I am providing the Committee with a status report of our advancement within 18 months in pursuit of the goals of The Strategic Framework for Action, the strategic plan for the University, which was presented to the Committee last year. As you will recall, the strategic plan calls for achievement in four strategic areas:
In each of the strategic areas, I am pleased to report either completion or the maintenance of our schedule in the majority of our measurable objectives.
I am also providing to the Committee the University fact book, Facts 1998, which provides the Congress with a snapshot of the University in a number of important areas. The Committee is well aware that Howard University is the only Carnegie level I Research university serving a predominantly African-American population in the Nation. This year I have added the names of each full time faculty member to the fact book and included the name of the university where they received their highest degree. I am pleased to report that the faculty who teach at Howard University represent a broad cross section of America and have earned degrees from 74 of the 88 Carnegie level I Research universities in the Nation.
Mr. Chairman, within the heraldry of the emblem of Howard University is displayed the University motto: Veritas et Utilitas, "Truth and Service." Dedication of the University to truth has been well established for more than 130 years. Less well known or acknowledged is the impressive service rendered by the University to both the Nation and the community in which it is located. A new publication, SERVICE 1998, is a compendium of some of the University?s activities and programs dedicated to community and national service. This publication is also being provided to the Committee.
As former congressman Jack Kemp, a Howard Trustee, stated before this committee, Howard University was created by the Congress to be a national university serving a national need. One hundred and thirty-one years later, we maintain fidelity to that mission. As Exhibit 1 demonstrates, Howard students come from every corner of the Nation and from all 50 States.
Exhibit 2 illustrates the performance of entering freshmen relative to all African-American students and to all test-takers. It shows that test scores for Howard students continue to be 150 points higher than the national average for African-Americans, and virtually identical to the national average of all test-takers.
Howard University remains fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Exhibit 3 shows the 26 different agencies that have also accredited schools and colleges of the University.
Exhibit 4 shows that the number of advanced degrees awarded by the University increased last year by 4 percent. Howard continues to lead the Nation in producing African-American graduates at all degree levels.
Exhibit 5 is a portrayal of changes in the endowment of the University since 1982. During that period the endowment has grown from $17.8 million to $176 million. The curve reflects an increase of about 10 percent within the last year.
For 131 years, Howard University has been a major avenue of postsecondary access and opportunity for many Americans. It has taken the underprepared, underfunded, high-potential student and has produced more successful, prominent, professional tax-paying citizens than any other university of similar size and complexity. The University has awarded nearly 84,000 degrees to its alumni.
Exhibit 6 demonstrates conclusively that the University serves a national constituency whose alumni reside in all of the 50 States. Eighteen States have more than 500 Howard alumni, 13 have more than 1,000, and 5 have more than 2,000.
Finally, I want to thank the members of this Committee publicly for their investment in Howard. Your support enables the University to provide a comprehensive, high-quality curriculum that makes it possible for students with ability, who come from families of limited means, to become contributing, productive participants in the mainstream of American society.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my opening statement. I would be happy to answer any questions that the Committee may have, and I thank you for the opportunity to appear today.
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