Life
Howard University becomes first HBCU to partner with the Pentagon
Howard University becomes the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to partner with the Pentagon for military technology research featuring a 5-year, US$90 million contract.
The research center is the first Department of Defense university research center sponsored by the Air Force and will focus on tactical autonomy, according to president of Howard University Wayne A.I. Frederick.
The vice president of research at Howard University, Bruce Jones, said that the US$90 million contract is the largest research contract signed by an HBCU in history.
“Howard has always made history, and it’s always been dedicated to scientific discovery and innovation,” said Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, III, in an announcement of the Air Force research center at Howard’s campus.
Howard University produces more African-American undergraduates who later earn science and engineering doctoral degrees than any other university, according to the National Science Foundation. Austin said that the students who graduate from HBCUs are the “power that our country needs.”