The Howard University board of trustees has selected veteran Washington attorney and political insider Vernon E. Jordan Jr. as chair of the search committee to find the next president of the university. Sidney A. Ribeau announced last October that he was stepping down as president of Howard. The resignation followed a drop in Howard’s credit rating and a huge drop in Howard’s ranking on U.S. News‘ list of the nation’s top universities. Vernon Jordan has served on the university’s board of trustees since 1993 and was a member of the search committee that recommended hiring Dr. Ribeau.
“A deliberative search process offers an important opportunity to understand and clarify the priorities and challenges of the University, to unify key stakeholders, and to plan the future course,” said board chair Addison Barry Rand.
In a statement on when the search would be completed, Jordan said, “We are not in a hurry. But we know that it is urgent.”
Jordan is a graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and the Howard University School of Law. He served from 1971 to 1981 as president of the National Urban League.
I had just commented to a colleague that I had not heard anything about him in a while. I’m glad to see he’s still active.
Outstanding choice to lead a high power search such as this. Job well done and good luck in selecting a leader who understands the legacy and the importance of Howard University and HBCU’s.
Howard continues to use the same old people to do new things. How can you expect change when you are not willing to change?