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Campus Alert
UDC Facilities Update — Monday, Nov. 9

At this time, a definitive timeline for reopening Buildings 32 and 42 has not been established. The reopening of these facilities remains contingent upon the successful completion of repairs, testing, inspections and confirmation that the affected electrical distribution equipment can be safely re-energized.

Although we understand the critical role these facilities play in supporting academic programs, student success and university operations, safety must remain our highest priority. Re-energizing the system before it is fully restored could result in additional equipment damage, create electrical safety risks and potentially prolong the closure of both buildings.

Visit the Campus Alerts page for more information. 

For safety concerns, contact OPSEM at 202-274-5050. For emergencies, call 911.

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Changing Lives, Creating Leaders

October 21, 2026 Priscilla Lalisse-Jespersen
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Five people dressed in black formalwear pose in front of a black backdrop with a neon sign reading “UnPoliticized Blackness.”

University of the District of Columbia President Maurice D. Edington received the 2026 HBCU Pillar Award on Sunday, Oct. 18, recognizing his leadership in advancing student success, expanding academic opportunities and strengthening the university's future. 

Edington was nominated by HBCU students and alumni, and the organization's Council of Advisors voted unanimously to select him for the honor. 

The award was presented during UnPoliticized Blackness: A Brunch at the Flag House Museum in Baltimore. UDC’s Senior Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer Richard Lucas accepted the award on Edington's behalf. 

Man in a tuxedo holds a glass award while standing on a stage between “Power Our Future” banners and small flower arrangements.The HBCU Pillar Award recognizes leaders whose vision and stewardship help historically Black colleges and universities remain centers of academic excellence, resilience and student achievement. 

In announcing Edington's selection, organizers highlighted progress made since he became UDC's 10th president in 2023, including enrollment growth, improved student retention and the introduction of academic programs aligned with emerging workforce needs. 

They also pointed to "Delivering on the Promise," the university's five-year strategic plan, which sets a course for positioning UDC as a leading national public urban institution. The plan emphasizes student success, institutional growth and academic programs in high-demand fields, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health care and education. 

The recognition comes as UDC celebrates its 175th anniversary, marking a history of expanding educational access and preparing generations of students to contribute to the District and beyond. 

As the nation's only exclusively urban land-grant HBCU and the District's only public university, UDC plays a distinctive role in connecting education, research and workforce development to the needs of the communities it serves. 

Edington succeeds Virginia State University President Makola Abdullah, who received the HBCU Pillar Award in 2025. 

For Edington, the honor carries a particular distinction: It began with students and alumni who saw in his leadership a commitment to the future of historically Black higher education. 

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