Dear Morehouse Students:
After five of the proudest years of my life serving as your president, I have decided to step down from my
position at Morehouse College at the end of my appointment term, effective June 30, 2012.
When I came to Morehouse to serve as its 10th president, the Board of Trustees charged me to restore and
reenergize the intellectual and moral dimensions of the College’s mission and mystique. I have achieved
these goals through my vision and the College’s collective efforts to bring about a Morehouse Renaissance.
Although I have enjoyed the privilege of serving this great college, and we have witnessed many great
successes, I am looking forward to the next chapter of my professional life.
After much thought and prayerful reflection, I will be leaving the College to pursue my passion for teaching
and being more directly involved in the moral and intellectual development of students. Among my immediate
activities will be to serve as Scholar-in-Residence at Stanford University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Institute. I
am honored that the Morehouse Board has voted to name me President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor
of Social Ethics, leaving open the possibility of my returning to Morehouse to teach.
While the leadership of the College is changing, its mission is remaining the same. Morehouse will continue
its nearly 150-year track record of excellence in educating African American men – bright, dedicated and
motivated students, like you, who have made my presidency of Morehouse the highlight of my career.
To ensure that the College continues its pursuit of greatness as one of the nation’s premier institutions of
higher education, the Board has already initiated a rigorous search and selection process for my successor, who
will lead Morehouse through its next phase, including our planned capital campaign.
My fondest memories will be of the amazing students who come to Morehouse from around the globe. They
have responded to the College’s call to become Morehouse Men who are well-read, well-spoken, well-traveled,
well-dressed and well-balanced.
Tomorrow, January 31, at 7 p.m. in the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, there will be a Town Hall
meeting for students. I look forward to seeing you there.
I thank each of you for your outstanding scholarship, leadership and service. Keep up the good work so that
one day soon I will meet you again as fellow alumni of our Dear Old Morehouse.
