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DURHAM, N.C. — Duke University has discontinued a decades-old merit scholarship established for Black undergraduate students. It is being replaced with a leadership program open to students regardless of race or background following changes in the legal landscape surrounding race-conscious programs in higher education.

The Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship, established in 1979, provided significant financial support to selected students and became one of Duke’s best-known scholarship programs serving Black undergraduates. Duke says the scholarship officially transitioned into the Reginaldo Howard Leadership Program in April 2024.

The change came less than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark June 2023 ruling in the cases involving Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, sharply restricting the consideration of race in college admissions.

Decades-Long History and Thousands of Reggie Scholars

The Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship was named for Reginaldo “Reggie” Howard, an A.B. Duke Scholar and the first Black president of the Associated Students of Duke University, the university’s undergraduate student government.

Howard, a member of Duke’s Class of 1978, died in an automobile accident during his sophomore year in 1976. Duke says his commitment to leadership and helping others continues to form the foundation of the program bearing his name.

The scholarship was substantial. Duke reported in 2018 that recipients received full tuition, room, board and mandatory fees for eight semesters. At that time, the university estimated the four-year value at more than $280,000 for each recipient.

The program developed a community of students commonly known as “Reggie Scholars.”

Duke University Replaces Scholarship With Leadership Program

Although Duke is no longer awarding new Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarships, students who were already Reggie Scholars continue to receive support through graduation.

The university replaced the scholarship with the Reginaldo Howard Leadership Program, administered through a partnership between Duke’s Office of University Scholars and Fellows and the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture.

Duke describes the new initiative as a program designed to preserve Howard’s legacy by supporting students committed to service, scholarship and leadership.

The current program is open to first- and second-year Duke students in good academic standing “regardless of background or identity,” according to the university. Participants receive opportunities involving faculty mentoring, enrichment funding, experiential learning, alumni networking and leadership development.

The program also continues to emphasize Black history and achievement. Duke lists among its objectives celebrating the contributions of Black people at Duke and elsewhere, supporting internships and research that benefit Black communities and strengthening connections with the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture.

Supreme Court Ruling Changed Higher Education Landscape

The transition followed the Supreme Court’s June 29, 2023, decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and the related case involving the University of North Carolina.

The ruling held that the admissions programs at Harvard and UNC violated constitutional or statutory equal-protection requirements governing the consideration of race. The decision forced colleges and universities nationwide to reassess how race could legally be considered in admissions and prompted broader reviews of race-conscious programs.

Duke told Reggie Scholars and alumni in 2024 that its decision was made in light of changes to the legal landscape involving race-based considerations in higher education.

The university’s current website confirms that no new merit scholarships will be awarded through the Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship. Instead, Duke says support will continue through existing Reggie Scholars, the new leadership program and need-based financial aid.

Students Expressed Frustration Over Duke University Decision

Some Reggie Scholars said at the time that they were disappointed with how the transition was handled and believed students should have played a larger role in the process.

“We were just kind of told what was happening as it was happening,” sophomore Hanna Gedion told Duke’s student newspaper, The Chronicle. “We felt very powerless, to be honest with you.”

Gedion said students had anticipated changes following the Supreme Court ruling but remained focused on preserving Howard’s legacy.

“We’re all frustrated obviously, but we’ve been expecting it for a while, and looking for next steps already,” Gedion said. “We’re trying to find ways to preserve Reggie’s legacy.”

She added that Howard’s importance extended beyond one segment of the university community.

“We just want to make sure that Reginaldo Howard stays in the conversation in any way, shape or form that we can because he was a very prominent figure in Duke’s history, period — not Black Duke’s history, not Latino Duke’s history, just Duke’s history.”

Duke’s current program indicates that Howard remains central to the initiative. The university describes the leadership program as directly inspired by his life and impact.

Additional Information and Links

More information about the scholarship’s termination, its replacement and the Supreme Court ruling is available through the following sources:

Duke University — Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholars Program and transition information

Duke University — Current Reginaldo Howard Leadership Program

Duke Today — History and value of the Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship

U.S. Supreme Court — Students for Fair Admissions decision

The Chronicle — Report on Duke ending the Reginaldo Howard scholarship program

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