Howard University's new president

After a vigorous eight-month search, Howard University's Board of Trustees has selected Sidney A. Ribeau as the institution's 16th president in a unanimous decision.

"I am excited by the opportunity to serve this historic institution," Ribeau said in a press release. "Howard is a remarkable university, a truly international university and one that has made significant contributions." Ribeau has been President of Bowling Green State University in Ohio for 13 years.

"Ribeau brings to Howard a complete academic resume having served as professor, dean and vice president," Parsons said in the release. "He has built a well-rounded and impressive resume as a scholar and academic leader in higher education and has a solid record as an effective fundraiser". 

Succeeding Patrick Swygert, Ribeau will assume his role on August 1. The university began the search for a new president after Swygert announced his resignation April 27 of last year in the wake of criticism from the university's faculty senate.

Simone Brown, a junior from Detroit, said she was concerned about how much the new president will be getting paid.  She said the facilities are not up-to-date and that some of the money being allocated for the current president's salary could have gone towards renovating the school.

"When people are doing tours, everything looks nice from the outside, but then when you go in the inside, they don't have what we need," said Brown, an accounting major, referring to the technology and resources available for students.

Brown said she would like to see Howard's new president encourage the alumni to donate to the school. Because government funding was cut back and tuition increased, the University has a dire need for funding, she said. The university has embarked upon a major fundraising effort, according to published reports and the office of communications.

Charreah Jackson, a 2007 Howard grad, said she was sad to see Swygert go and that she had always appreciated his leadership. Jackson, who was a staff member of student newspaper, The Hilltop, said that under Swygert's administration the staff "always had room to maneuver and get the story out."  

"I was glad to attend during his time at Howard," Jackson said.

Michelle D. Anderson is a student at Spelman College and a regular contributor to Black College Wire.