The Bison Fix: More Than an Institution, Howard is Home

As a transfer student from the University of Pittsburgh-Titusville and Old Dominion University, I have to say what all of us as transfer students say, "Howard may have not been my first choice, but it was my best choice."

The aforementioned schools are predominately white institutions. They were good schools. They were academically challenging, the socialization was good, teachers were "nice," and many more aspects you expect with a university.

At the same time, for some reason, they don't compare to Howard. In fact, three of my professors at Old Dominion University encouraged me to transfer to Howard because it has more prestige, more resources, superior networking opportunities, and it is conveniently located in my hometown D.C.

Howard is a university where all walks of life cross The Yard. It's a place where African Americans can seek a quality education without having the pressure of being the "good token-negro" in the classroom, unlike the majority institutions I previously attended. As I said before, those institutions were academically rigorous and the socialization was good. However, they lacked the holistic approach that nurtures the student academically, socially and personally. I always felt there was something missing.

I could never seem to figure out what it was until I came to Howard and then the light bulb came on. The professors at the other universities didn't really care about educating the whole student. They cared more about meeting deadlines and covering course material than the student being able to keep up and have a rich understanding of the course. Now, some will argue that this style of educating allows the student to educate him or herself independently. At some point, though, wouldn't the student need some form of proper guidance from the instructor?

Please don't get me wrong; I would never ask for any professor to hold my hand like a toddler. That being said, it doesn't hurt to have an instructor who not only wants you to succeed in their course but for you to lead in your field globally.

Here, they guide you in the right direction, nurture you as an individual, open doors to unbelievable experiences, have unmatchable networking opportunities and lay the ground work for a prosperous and giving career. That's what makes Howard a unique university. It has a luster unto itself. It's hard to describe the Howard experience in words. I guess many Howard graduates were right: it's a place you have to experience for yourself.

Dexter Williams is a junior Health Administration major from Washington, D.C.