Howard Kahn (1914–2008) began studying chemical engineering at the University of Minnesota in 1931. He chaired the All-University Council on Negro Discrimination that produced the first report in 1935, calling on President Coffman to admit an African American student to Pioneer Hall. He was a student member of the Board of Regents. Kahn earned his undergraduate degree in 1935 and his Master of Science degree at the University in 1937.

Kahn had a lifelong commitment to fair housing and civil rights. He served as Chairperson of the Minneapolis Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Housing, as well as the Mayor’s Commission on Human Rights. He was a board member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas.