Howard University Names Two Esteemed African Americans to Head Its Presidential Search Committee

H. Patrick Swygert, president of Howard University, previously announced his retirement, effective at the end of the current academic year. Now the university has named former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons as co-chairs of its presidential search committee.

Among the 16 members of the search committee are former congressman and vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp, Vernon E. Jordan, managing director of Lazard Freres, publisher Earl Graves, and several members of the Howard University faculty including economist Charles L. Betsey, artist Starmanda Bullock, and professor of surgery LaSalle Leffall Jr.

Ruth Simmons, president of Brown University, will act as a special adviser to the committee.