Monday, 9 Feb 2026
Monday, 9 February 2026

Indiana Teen Accepted into 65 Colleges Chooses to Attend an HBCU

Indianapolis, IN — Taran Richardson, an 18-year old high school senior, has proudly decided to attend Howard University after being accepted into 65 colleges. He also has been awarded over $1 million in scholarships.

Richardson recently graduated salutatorian with a 3.7 GPA from Charles A. Tindley Accelerated High School. He was also a student-athlete and he served in the student government as well as community work while working part-time at a local Walmart.

Richardson is active in advocating against violence with the Stop the Violence Indianapolis Campaign. He also helped build a social media broadcast studio as an Eagle Scout and organize a summer job career fair for teens which aims to combat gun violence.

Out of the 65 colleges that accepted him, he narrowed them down to 10. He ultimately decided to attend Howard University after over a month of comparing the financial aids offered and campus visits.

“I could see myself in that place,” Richardson said to IndyStar. “I pictured myself going there since Day 1.”

His mother, Maurita Willingham, added that Howard has always wanted to intern at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s space program and its proximity to Howard University was also a deciding factor.

Although Richardson would not be able to attend in-person classes this semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he is looking forward to attend classes in the campus in the future.

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