STEM Renovation Program

2026-2027 Academic Year Opening Status: Finish and closeout work at Ernest E. Just Hall is substantially advanced. Construction remains active in the Chemistry Building, and the Physics renovation at Thirkield Hall will continue during the academic year.

Three Buildings, One Research Mission

Howard's R1 research designation reflects generations of scientific inquiry and a growing capacity to address consequential questions through discovery. This renovation program supports that momentum by investing in the places where students learn fundamental methods, faculty advance their research, and future scientists begin to see themselves in the work.

The three buildings also carry distinct parts of Howard's scientific history. Thirkield Hall was dedicated in 1909 and later became the birthplace of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The Chemistry Building, dedicated in 1936, was designed by Howard alumnus and architect Albert I. Cassell. Ernest E. Just Hall continues a life-sciences tradition that reaches back to Howard's founding; the Department of Zoology was established in 1907 with pioneering biologist Ernest Everett Just as its first chair, and the Biology-Greenhouse building opened in 1957.

Renewing the Places Where Discovery Begins

The program is advancing in phases so that each building can receive work suited to its academic role. At Ernest E. Just Hall, finish and closeout work is substantially advanced following improvements to teaching and support environments. In Chemistry, construction remains active as renewed instructional, laboratory, and building-support spaces move toward use. At Thirkield Hall, the current phase includes a more comprehensive renewal of the Physics facility.

The current target is to complete the principal Thirkield Hall finish-restoration phase by the end of 2026. Broader building-system enhancements across the STEM program may continue into summer 2027. As each phase is completed, the result will be a stronger network of spaces for instruction, experimentation, collaboration, and research.

Explore 2026-2027 campus improvements

View capital projects in progress

Schedule information reflects current targets as of the opening of the 2026-2027 academic year and may change as work progresses.