Give a rouse for Ben Vinson III ’92 on his recent appointment as the 18th president of Howard University in Washington, D.C.!
An accomplished historian, Ben Vinson is a leading expert on the history of the African diaspora with a focus on Blacks in Latin America. He leaves his most recent post as provost, executive vice president, and Hiram C. Haydn Professor of History at Case Western Reserve University.
The Washington, D.C. area is familiar territory for Vinson. He previously served in senior leadership roles at George Washington University and Johns Hopkins.
The Howard University Board of Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Vinson as president of the University. His start date will be September 1, 2023. Vinson succeeds Wayne A. I. Frederick who has served in the role since 2014.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Vinson to our community and are confident in his ability to lead our beloved Howard University,” said Laurence C. Morse, chair of the board. “Dr. Vinson has served in senior leadership roles at some of the nation’s most highly regarded academic research institutions. Both his academic research and the initiatives he’s championed as a higher education leader have demonstrated his commitment to elevating the diversity of experiences of people of the African diaspora—a commitment that aligns well with Howard University’s mission and vision.”
Founded in 1867, Howard University is one of the nation’s most prestigious historically black universities.