AHUR Team

Transferred to Howard from an Iowa PWI in 1966 on a basketball scholarship. In 1968 became part of student leadership. Member of the selection committee that nominated James E. Cheek in 1969. Graduated in 1970, receiving a Bachelor of Science with dual majors of Political Science and one of the first with a major in African American Studies. 

Hired by Dr. Cheek in 1970 to obtain and build the WHUR Radio station. June of ‘71’ became Executive Administrative Assistant to Phil Watson, General Manager. Served as an on-air personality and founding producer of the “Daily Drum,” “People Platform,” “Black People and the Law,” and “Sunday Morning Gospel,” and as Public Affairs Director, creating all public affairs programs such as the “Caribbean Experience,” “Sa Ya Watoto,” and the “Weekend Sport Special.” Produced and directed all Howard Football and Basketball games for 4 years, often serving as a color commentator. 

Became the iconic voice of WHUR and creator of the phrase “Chocolate City,” to counter the phrase “Peanut City” after Jimmy Carter was elected president. As Operations Manager, I computerized the WHUR and WHUT-TV program logs while simultaneously teaching “Radio Broadcast Production” and “New Communications Technology” classes for more than 13 years. 

Transitioned to ” ISAS” Howard Information and Systems Services, holding various positions and serving as Director for nearly 20 years. While there, helped build and manage the iLab and computer labs in 13 student dormitories. Obtained an 80 million dollar grant from Microsoft, providing all Microsoft software to every student, faculty, and staff member for ten years. 

Hired by Dean Jeff Donaldson (famous Afro Cobra Artist) of the College of Fine Arts to teach Multimedia Computing. While there, they assisted in building the first multimedia computing lab and classroom. Obtained the advanced degrees, Master of Psychology major in Social Psychology and a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology. 

Held several high-profile positions in the Federal and District of Columbia since retiring for Howard in 2009.

Agnes Addington, Treasurer of the Association since 2016. 

Retired from Howard University Hospital in 2014, where I worked in both Outpatient and Inpatient services as Nurse Clinician in the Division of Nursing. 

I was employed at Howard University Hospital as a Nurse Clinician for Maternal Child Health Services.

I began my career as a Staff Nurse on Pediatrics on August 13,1979 and I held various positions through my employment to include Nurse Coordinator, and Patient Coordinator for the Pediatric Units and ended my career as the Nurse Clinician for Maternal Child Health Services. I retired on February 14, 2014.
 

In September 5, 1978, recruited from the Philippines with a degree of Bachelor Science in Nursing & started as Nurse Technician in 5WEST- Neurology / Neurosurgery Department 

February 1979, Board Certified Registered Nurse worked as Clinical Nurse 2.

March 1985, appointed as Shift Coordinator in 5WEST.

January 10, 1994, appointed as Clinical Service Manager for 5 WEST and Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit.

August 25,1995, Neuro ICU closed so I covered 5 South Psychiatry until a new CSM was hired.

In December 2014, 5 West was closed.

January 2015, Clinical Service Manager of 6W-Telemetry Surgical Intensive Care Unit , & Medical Intensive Care Unit.

January 2016, I retired 

I began my career as a nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Howard University Hospital. Over time, I held series of leadership roles, including Nurse Educator and Clinical Service Manager, where I contributed to both patient care excellence and the development of nursing professionals.

The latter part of my tenure was working as Administrative Director for the Department of Surgery and the Health Sciences Outcomes Research Center in the College of Medicine.

In this capacity, I provided executive-level support to nationally and internationally recognized leaders in surgery, including Dr. Clive O. Callender, Dr. Edward E. Cornwell III, Dr. Andrea Hayes Dixon, and Dr. Terrence Fullum. Working alongside such esteemed figures and an amazing staff left a profound impact on me. Howard helped me hone my leadership, organizational and communication skills while also contributing to the advancement of surgical care, research, and education.

Was employed by Howard University after six years as a business educator in a segregated school district in northern Virginia. I started here on a federal grant designed to assist and update physicians practicing medicine in the communities by offering courses to keep them abreast of the fast-changing information in all phases of medicine. 

The newly formed Office of Continuing Medical Education was under the direction of the late Dr. William E. Matory, who saw a need for physicians seeing patients in the surrounding communities and elsewhere. After a few years on the grant, the office became a line item in the hospital and later in the College of Medicine. Physicians came from a variety of states to take the annual Review Course for Practicing Physicians. 

In the meantime, I was promoted to Administrator of the office with daily supervision of the office staff. While working there, I earned an MS degree in Adult and Continuing Education, which was a tremendous enhancement to my everyday assignments. 

I was recommended by the faculty of the School of Education to teach the classes of the faculty going on leave, and I was appointed I as Adjunct Faculty for that time, teaching the associate professor’s evening classes. These experiences overseeing the courses gave me opportunities to get to know the physicians, especially those who came back every year to take courses, and many commented on how helpful the courses and shorter specialty courses were to their practice. I enjoyed my work so much that I spent the entire 40-plus years there until I retired in 2013.

Barbra Wiggins Matthews is a proud retiree of Howard University, where she dedicated more than forty years of exemplary service to one of the nation’s most prestigious institutions. She currently serves as Co-Chaplain for the Association of Howard University Retirees and as Chairperson of the Events and Program Committee, continuing her commitment to service and community engagement. 

Following her high school graduation in 1968, Mrs. Matthews pursued continued education and professional development at Chowan College, Pace University, Prince George’s Community College, and Howard University. 

Her distinguished career at Howard began in the Office of Personnel Management, where she served as Secretary to the Director. Within a year, she transitioned to the Office of the Vice President for Health Affairs, where she worked as an Administrative Assistant for eleven years. She continued to expand her leadership and administrative expertise through roles in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and later in the Office of the President, where she served as Administrative Assistant to the President. 

Mrs. Matthews went on to serve as Administrative Officer in the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Secretary of the University. She concluded her remarkable career with nearly two decades of service as Administrative Officer to the Dean in the College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. Following the college’s transition, she continued in this role within the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences until her retirement in June 2017. She remained engaged with the university, continuing to work through 2019. 

Mrs. Matthews’ career reflects a legacy of dedication, excellence, and unwavering commitment to the mission of Howard University.

My journey began at Freedmen's Hospital in 1969, as a Clerk-Typist in the Office of the Chief Nurse. I attended Nursing School in New York City.  Upon completion and obtaining my license as an RN, I returned to DC, which is my home. 

I began working at Howard University Hospital in the Emergency Care Area for 20 years as a Clinical Nurse II. I worked in the Division of Nursing, Department of Professional Development, Quality Management and Research as a Nurse Educator until my retirement in 2014. I am a proud Alumnus of the HU College of Nursing. In 2016, I was elected to President of the Association of Howard University Retirees, where I served tirelessly until October 2025, nine years.  

Betty Gladden, first female commission to be employed by the Howard University Security Office in 1968, worked for 25 years, moving through up through the ranks. Retired in 1990. 

President of AHUR 1998-2002. Started raising funds for the AHUR scholarships by planning travel & activities. Dean Crawford assisted in setting up the scholarship as Vice President of Development.

Retired from Howard University in 2008 after serving as Founder and Program Manager for the Office of International Programs (OIP) at Howard University.                

Continuing education and as faculty in the College of Pharmacy.