Huntingdon Opens Wanda A. Howard ’81 BSU Center

Photo caption:
From left, Abrianna Davis ’23, Iva Kay Davis ’82, Wanda A. Howard ’81, and President J. Cameron West

Montgomery, Ala.—The ribbon has been cut and the doors are open to the fully refurbished space renamed the Wanda A. Howard ’81 Black Student Union Center on the Huntingdon College campus. Ms. Howard, a member of the Huntingdon board of trustees and a founding member of the College’s Black Student Union forty years ago was present for the ceremony, as were dozens of current and former students and College friends, including the BSU’s first president, Iva Kay Davis, Class of 1982.

In October 2020 Huntingdon President J. Cameron West announced that the space, located on the ground floor of the YWCA Hut building on campus, would be renovated and renamed for Ms. Howard as the College developed a set of goals and objectives as part of Huntingdon’s Race and Justice Initiative.

Ms. Howard has long been a supporter of Huntingdon students, particularly in the Black Student Union and in the women’s basketball program. She was honored with induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 in recognition of her sportsmanship. Although Huntingdon College did not offer women’s sports when she was a student, Ms. Howard was a leading student-athlete in intramural sports in addition to her extensive involvement and leadership in other campus organizations. She served as Ligon Hall president, as an SGA senator, and as stage manager for theater productions. After graduating she went on to a career in project management. She has served on the College’s board of trustees for 12 years and chairs the Alumni Working Group of the Huntingdon College Race and Justice Initiative.

The Howard Center contains a seminar room, offices, gallery space, study areas, and a central reception area. “This home is the beginning of the next 40 years of the Phillis Wheatley Poetry Slam, the Black History Month Art Show, guest lecturers, game nights, and casual Tuesday study sessions,” said Abrianna Davis ’23, who serves as BSU president. “I challenge the current members and the future of this organization to use this space to spread the message and practice of diversity and inclusion. The Black Student Union is a diverse group of students and alumni. In 1980 we welcomed all students in the spirit of encouraging unity on campus, and in 2021 we are still Inclusive, not exclusive. We are a proud part of the Huntingdon family.”

Ms. Davis assisted with the ribbon-cutting, along with Iva Kay Davis, Ms. Howard, and President West.

Huntingdon College is a coeducational residential liberal arts college of the United Methodist Church.

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