Jamaicans at Howard, 1890-1940

News just to hand from Washington announces the brilliant success scored by certain Jamaica students of the graduating classes of Howard University.

The annual function, in connection with which degrees were conferred, came off last Wednesday the 2nd instant. Among those on whom were conferred the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery were Mr.Theodore Hanson. Messrs. E. A. Nicholson, A. J. Foster and G. A. Cole; also Mr. R. A. McTaggart of Grand Cayman. Messrs Hanson and Nicholson who were yoke-fellows throughout their three years' university course, have decided to start practice abroad where, from their association and success in the past, the way appears open to them for success. The plans of the other young graduates are not yet made known. It was learnt in the city yesterday that Dr. A. J. Foster, who was recently a clerk in the Civil Service, will return to the island in the next couple of months, and will practice in Kingston.

extract from a letter from a Howard student:

"It is exceedingly difficult to enter Howard medical school in present. It has reached such a standard that they are rigid pertaining to the preliminary education of the applicant. They feel that the different centres of learning of the West Indies do not teach generally the necessary sciences on a sufficiently broad line for this school, and therefore they send all to the scientific department for two years before going in for medicine.

Applicants who have spent three or four years at some of our best high schools producing both Cambridge junior and senior certificates, have had to undergo the necessary course. To rush directly into the medical school one must have passed the London or Cambridge matriculation or can prove that you are of that standard. It is only the time, but they will be better man at the end."