This past weekend, I took my own version of very Long Walk, into AKAland. My line of 50 girls hoping to become ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. marched across the campus. From College Hall South to Founders Library, to the College of Fine Arts, all the way back to the plot near where the original Miner Hall once stood. I think it is quite significant that Miner Hall was one of the first buildings on Howard’s campus.
The campus itself tells a tale of ambition and vision. From its humble beginnings with the Main Building and Miner Hall, the development of Howard University was meticulously planned by visionaries like Albert I. Cassell. His 20-year plan birthed 24 buildings, each a testament to the determination to create a space where excellence thrives. Founder’s Library, the crowning jewel, stands tall as a beacon of knowledge, visible from across the city—a reminder that Howard University demands nothing but the best.
Something very interesting to me is that freshmen could only step foot on the Long Walk in their sophomore year. Imagine being a freshman, eagerly awaiting the day when you can finally set foot on the revered long walk as a sophomore. It’s not just a rule; it’s a rite of passage, symbolizing growth and maturity. And when the time comes for graduation, that same path becomes a stage for the processionals, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. This is reminiscent of our rules regarding Greek plots on campus. You must earn the right to step towards the pink and green towering tree. The work put in to be graced with this opportunity is a testament to my growth as a young woman and leader on this campus. When you have to work to gain something, you appreciate it much more than if it is simply handed to you. I am sure this is how those freshmen felt when they were finally able to step onto the Long Walk.
The campus isn’t just a reflection of Howard’s journey; it mirrors the trajectory of Black America itself. Mordecai Wyatt Johnson, the first African American President, embodied the university’s commitment to leadership and progress. And as architecture evolved in the 1950s, embracing the International style with buildings like Locke Hall and the Fine Arts building, it echoed the shifting tides of society—a bold statement of modernity and innovation.
Today, as students traverse the campus, they walk in the footsteps of giants. They see Founder’s Library looming in the distance, a reminder of the heights they can reach. They feel the weight of history in every brick, knowing that they stand on the shoulders of those who came before.
For a Howard University student, the campus isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living testament to resilience, excellence, and the unyielding pursuit of progress. It’s a reminder that no matter where they come from, they belong to a legacy of greatness—a legacy that continues to shape not only the campus but the world beyond its gates.