Howard President Sidney A. Ribeau’s surprising retirement announcement is still being felt in the HBCU community.
The news that Ribeau will officially step down from presidency at the end of the year caused some HBCU leaders to scratch their heads: Morehouse College President John Silvanus Wilson tweeted Ribeau was ‘a force for good’ and questioned the state of the modern historically black college or university.
Howard U’s Prez, Sid Ribeau, was a force for good! @MorehousePrez wonders what it is about HBCU culture that cannot abide new voices…
— John Silvanus Wilson (@MorehousePrez) October 2, 2013
A Howard loyalist plugged into the university said he supports Ribeau’s decision to retire and new interim president, Wayne A.I. Frederick. “We are fortunate to have a very strong team of executives that are available to manage the school,” Frank Savage said.
“They have my total, unqualified support. I absolutely believe in them. We will back this team 100 percent.”
Based on his resume, Dr. Frederick, 42, seems like a sure fit for the job at the nation’s most renowned historically black university. Plus, the new man at the helm knows his way around the yard.
Frederick has a bachelor’s in zoology, a doctor of medicine and a master’s in business administration—all from Howard—and has been called “Super Doctor” by the Washington Post, was listed on Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 in 2010 and is respected as “a well-rounded scholar, with a passion for the arts and service.”
When asked by the Post his reaction when the board chose him to lead the university Frederick said, “It was extremely humbling. My ties to this university go back 25 years.”
“I felt extremely privileged because I know the enormity of the task, but at the same time I know the greatness of the mission.”
In other news, you can bet on a visit to Homecoming from rapper Diddy now. Looks like Frederick and the record producer were close friends back in the day.
@iamdiddy @HowardU Thanks for the Bison Love from my fellow alum Diddy! We look forward to welcoming you back during HU Homecoming! Oct 26!
— Wayne A.I. Frederick (@WFrederickMD) October 11, 2013
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