Gloomy mood at Kamala Harris’ alma mater Howard University as hopes of victory dim | US election 2024

At Kamala Harris’ vigil at Howard University in the nation’s capital Tuesday night, the mood among students, faculty and alumni turned somber as the night wore on, as their hopes that Harris might become the first president to graduate from a Historically Black College and University toned down.

Earlier in the evening, the Howard community prepared for a historic moment. On Georgia Avenue in Washington DC, a long line of supporters stretched down the street as people gathered after casting their ballots. Among them was Jayy Jones, Howard University student body president, who tried to soak up the moment.

“This is insane,” he said. “Howard University is a central place for civic engagement and the continuation of civic activism, and for us to be here at the Yard at this pivotal time in history is just amazing. And to sit here as student council president is nothing short of amazing, and I am nothing but grateful.”

Harris graduated from Howard University in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics. She launched her first campaign on campus when she ran for freshman class representative, and returned in 2019 to announce her presidential candidacy for the 2020 election cycle. Harris also used the campus as the site to prepare for her debate against Donald Trump in August.

“I have so many fond memories as a student at ‘Mecca,'” Harris wrote this month to The Hilltop, the student newspaper, “I recognize that Howard shaped me into the person I am today.”

The Yard, Howard’s rallying point, was filled with revelry earlier in the evening as spectators watched political projections.

Doreen Hogans, 50, said she felt hopeful. She pulled a string of pearls out of her pocket. The necklace belonged to her late mother. Hogans eyes twinkled, “She would have been so proud.”

All around her, students and supporters filled Howard’s The Yard. They danced as the music pulsated. There was a mix of cheers and boos, and CNN made a series of race calls.

When CNN declared Harris the winner of Washington DC and Maryland, Chelsea Chambers shook hands with Kelo Torres and cheered. The women wore sashes – respectively Miss District of Columbia Teen USA and Miss District of Columbia USA.

Chambers, 19 and a sophomore at Howard, voted for the first time this year. “Seeing a woman become president, I’m like, I can do anything after that,” the aspiring sports journalist said.

Michele Fuller attended Howard at the same time as Harris — the future vice president was a year ahead of her. “It feels incredible,” Fuller said as she walked into Harris’ election night party at their alma mater. “She’s just done so well. And she’s more than qualified. I’m just so excited.”

Asked if she ever imagined Harris would one day be at the forefront of history, Fuller said, “No — never. But once she became vice president, I knew it. I knew it.”

Benjamin Talton, the director of the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, said Harris becoming the first president to graduate from an HBCU and hosting a campaign watch party on campus stands alone in its significance.

“It hasn’t fully sunk in yet. It feels incredible to be here – the energy is so high, there’s a buzz, an excitement. But as a historian, I can’t help but reflect on the many historical moments I’ve witnessed to Howard’s campus, from my time as an undergraduate to now as a professor. It’s never surprising when there are historic events at Howard,” Talton said.

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