When Kamala Harris arrived as a freshman at Howard University 42 years ago, she was immediately drawn to the area of campus known as the Yard, Kevin Liptak writes. It was her favourite place to hang out, she would later write in her memoir, where on any given day she could look around and see the entire spectrum of the student body: “Groups of students might be in a circle of laughter, or locked in deep discussion. A columnist for The Hilltop, the school newspaper, with the star of the football team. A gospel choir singer with the president of the math club.” After a sprint-like campaign that has brought her to the precipice of history, Harris will return to the Yard this week, where her campaign is setting up its Election Night headquarters. Whether it’s for a victory speech or a concession remains to be seen. But the choice of Howard’s Yard amounts to a symbolic nod to her time at the university, which she has described as a formative experience.