As the country begins to return to normal as an intense and historic election season – one campus in America is still reeling.

Howard University was not expecting their streets to look like this after election day because on election night this same street was filled with supporters and students excited for the vice president’s watch party.

But as Kamala Harris concedes here on campus the mood has completely shifted.

“After….After this,” said Chinwe Okonkwo as her voice trailed off.

“When we went out on campus this morning it was very silent, very solemn, almost like a warning even,” said Sophie Hasan, a Harris/Walz supporter.

Overnight, the Howard University saw history fall just of reach for one of their own.

Harris, speaking to Howard and other students who had supported her, said: “To the young people who are watching, it is okay to feel sad and disappointed. But please know it’s going to be okay.”

Okonkwo, a Harris/Walz supporter, said: “Right now I’m must in a lot of shock.

As the red tide rolled over the map Tuesday night, supporters stood paralyzed – praying for a less purple Pennsylvania.

“I thought she was going to come out last night,” said Olivia Spence, a Howard student, saying what many had hoped that Harris would address the throng Tuesday night.

As the sun rose over Trump’s America, supporters went back to Howard to hear how they should move forward.

“We are hoping for closure.  We are hoping for some semblance of peace,” said Sophie Price, a Harris/Walz supporter.

“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” said Harris on Tuesday night.

Okonkwo said, “I think it’s important that we are still here and we are still fighting for our democracy.”

The Howard community showing up for their Alumna, both on what could have ben her best day, but what became her worse.

“And I love you back,” Harris said as she finished her concession.

Gaylord News is a reporting project of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication.  For more stories by Gaylord News, go to GaylordNews.net.