April 1, 2018

Dear Howard University Community,

The Howard University Alumni Association (HUAA) represents the voice of 70,000 plus living
Bison. I, along with many other alumni, are proud to have walked the yard, dined in Blackburn,
prayed for air in the quad, and yes, dealt with what we saw as problems when we were students.
Since then our University has experienced many advancements, particularly under the leadership
of President Frederick. I, along with the Howard University Alumni Association, support
President Frederick and the Board of Trustees.

One of the main tenets of the HUAA is to recruit, mentor and provide support to students. Under
our current Administration, our Alumni have led over 250 college fairs, recruited thousands of
students to the University, and provided over $250,000 in scholarships. We will proudly continue
to do so, even in the light of the recent financial aid revelation. We recognize that the behaviors of
a corrupt conglomerate cannot destroy the legacy and future of our great Alma Mater. I stand with
those of you who encourage legal action is taken against all parties involved. President Frederick
and the Board will continue to create necessary controls to prevent fraudulent behavior. I have
personally seen these controls in place as we distributed our HUAA Emergency and Brenda
Lawson scholarships. In conversation with the University, I was told that Alumni and the Howard
community will be provided with an initial report of the findings from the ongoing Office of
Financial Aid investigation on April 6th.

The hearts and actions of our students today mirror the students who stood outside the A-Building
fighting for change during the 60’s, 80’s and 90’s. When we see student protests, we know it is
an indication that their voices are not being heard. It is important that the University address the
issues brought by students and we implore the students to understand the power of their position
and the position of leadership. Many University decisions are made by the Board of Trustees, in
which Howard University is among select University’s that consistently ensure two voting
members of the Board of Trustees are current students. In addition, there are several Alumni who
serve on the Board of Trustees. The demands for President Frederick to step down is one that the
Howard University Alumni Association rejects.

Under President Frederick our students receive tuition refunds for on-time graduation, faculty have
experienced four consecutive years of salary increases, and the creation of the following:
nationally recognized Howard WEST in partnership with Google, the Office of Honors and
Scholars development where we had a Truman Scholar and six Fulbright Fellows last year
including two alumni, and the GRACE Grant to remove financial barriers for our students of
greatest need. We have seen full re-accreditation of the Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry, and
Pharmacy; and Schools of Law, Education, Social Work; CNAS programs including Occupational
Therapy and Nursing. Of the ten new Deans of Schools or Colleges, five are female and there has
been a hiring of a majority female administrative cabinet.
When discussions among Bison include the language of scandal, stepping down, and protest our
hearts are moved and our tenacity comes to the forefront. We encourage the media to stand in
front of the same Howard gates in just a month and publicize the thousands of graduates that
represent the future of change and progress. We encourage the story of Howard’s Schools of
Social Work, Business, Education, and Engineers rise in the US News & World Report’s 2018
rankings, the story of our Howard University Hospital transforming its balance sheet while
providing Level I trauma care to an underserved community that would likely be without medical
care. I applaud many of you who have referenced the facts of achievement, progress and change
our University has seen under our current leadership.

The Howard University Alumni Association is confident that the best interest of students and our
University will be considered as decisions are made to meet the needs of our students. Howard
University, our current students, President Frederick, our Board of Trustees and our powerful
Alumni will rise stronger and in better service to our community.

In Truth and Service,

Nadia N. Pinto
President, Howard University Alumni Association

Members of the Alumni Council

El Hadji D. Diagne, Acting Executive Secretary
Amanda Johnson, Vice President of Finance
Bukola Ekundayo, Secretary
Shana Ervin, Vice President of Membership
Jeffrey Fleming, HUAA Region II Chair
Dr. Kandace Harris, HUAA Region III Chair
Tamara Howard, HUAA Region IV Chair
Elgin Wells, HUAA Region V Chair
Sharon Drake, HUAA Member-at-Large
Chauncey D. Manson, III, HUAA Region II Rep
Evelyn Cooke, HUAA Region I Rep
Cheryl Carter Benson, HUAA Region V Rep
Cheryce M. Cryer, Esq., HUAA Region VI Rep
Charlie Lewis, HUAC GNYC President
Erica Hepburn, HUAC Bahamas President
Randall L. Williams, HUAC Atlanta President
Tony Hutchins, HUAC Columbus President
Kimberley Spight, HUAC DFW President
Alisha M. Croom, HUAC Birmingham President
Reginald Guy, HUAC Chicago President
Hazel Robinson, HUAC GWDC President