Imagine the excitement: graduation is just days away, a culmination of years of hard work at a prestigious institution like Howard University. Now, picture the devastating blow as the community grapples with the sudden loss of two bright students, both poised to walk across the stage next week. It’s a heartbreaking scenario that has sent ripples of grief through the Bison family.
A Community in Shock
The university is reeling from the tragic news of two students who passed away unexpectedly. One of those students, 21-year-old Sollomon Buckhanon Crowder, a Computer Science major, was reported missing on April 28th. His last known location was the campus’s Blackburn Center.
His mother, Dr. Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder, shared the devastating update on social media after an urgent plea for help. The D.C. police homicide unit was involved in the investigation, and the news of Sollomon’s passing has prompted an outpouring of sorrow and support from those who knew him and the wider Howard community.
Another Beloved Scholar Lost
Tragically, Sollomon’s death is not the only loss the Howard University graduating class of 2026 is facing. Just hours after the news about Sollomon broke, the Graduate School announced the passing of Dr. Jimisha Relerford. She was mere days away from receiving her Doctorate of Philosophy.
Dr. Relerford was a distinguished scholar, focusing on African diaspora literature, African American rhetorics, and Black women’s writing. She had a deep connection to Howard, having earned both her Bachelor of Arts and her Doctorate there, and also served as a first-year writing instructor. Her contributions to her field and her dedication to her students leave a profound legacy.
A Legacy of Scholarship and Service
Despite the immense sadness, Dr. Relerford will be posthumously awarded her Doctor of Philosophy degree on May 10, 2026. Her intellectual contributions, commitment to her students, and service to the university are remembered with deep respect and will be profoundly missed by her colleagues and all who knew her.
The causes of death for both Sollomon and Dr. Relerford have not yet been publicly determined. The university community is united in grief, supporting the families and friends of these two promising individuals during this incredibly difficult time.
This is a deeply sorrowful time for Howard University. What are your thoughts on how communities can best support each other through such profound loss? Share your reflections in the comments below.
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