Morehouse College

A Timeline of Transformation: The Morehouse Story

The history of Morehouse is a testament to the power of education and perseverance. What started as an act of faith in 1867 has grown into a world-renowned institution.

The Foundation (1867 – 1913)

• 1867: A Bold Beginning. Morehouse College was founded as the Augusta Institute on February 14th at Springfield Baptist Church in Augusta, Ga. Founded by the Rev. William Jefferson White, with the assistance of the Rev. Richard C. Coulter and the Rev. Edmund Turney, it was established to educate formerly enslaved Black men for the ministry and teaching.
• 1879: Moving to the Capital. The Institute relocates to Atlanta, settling at Friendship Baptist Church, and is subsequently renamed the Atlanta Baptist Seminary.
• 1889: Permanent Roots. Graves Hall is constructed, providing the first permanent home for the burgeoning college.
• 1897: Atlanta Baptist College. The school formally changes its name to Atlanta Baptist College.
• 1913: The Morehouse Name is Born. The College is renamed Morehouse College in honor of Henry Lyman Morehouse, a corresponding secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission, whose life’s work greatly benefited the school.

Growth and Legacy Building (1917 – 1978)

• 1917: Semicentennial and History. Morehouse College celebrates its Semicentennial. Benjamin Brawley (Class of 1901), a distinguished scholar and literary critic, publishes the authoritative “History of Morehouse College.”
• 1929: The Atlanta University Center (AUC). A pivotal moment in Black higher education occurs with the establishment of the Atlanta University Affiliation with Morehouse, Spelman College, and Atlanta University. This consortium would later be known as the Atlanta University Center (AUC), a globally significant academic alliance.
• 1929-1933: A Brief Co-Educational Period. During a period of growth, Morehouse College admits women, with thirty-three eventually graduating.
• 1948: King’s Graduation. Future civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. graduates from Morehouse, a defining point in his journey toward world-changing leadership.
• 1957: Full Accreditation. Morehouse College receives full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), solidifying its academic standing.
• 1967: Centennial Celebration. Morehouse College marks its one-hundredth anniversary, reflecting on a century of impact.
• 1968: Academic Honor. The prestigious Phi Beta Kappa chapter is established, recognizing the College’s academic rigor and excellence.
• 1975: School of Medicine. The Morehouse School of Medicine is founded, a massive step in addressing health disparities and increasing the number of Black physicians in the nation.
• 1976: Olympic Gold. Edwin Moses ’78 wins a gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the Montreal Summer Olympics, showcasing the caliber of men Morehouse produces beyond the classroom.
• 1978-79: A Spiritual Center. The Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel is dedicated in 1978, later welcoming Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr. as its founding dean in 1979. It remains a global hub for peace and reconciliation studies.

Defining the Modern Era (1989 – Present)

• 1989: National Leadership. Dr. Louis W. Sullivan ‘54 is named Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, representing Morehouse leadership at the highest levels of government.
• 1994: The First Rhodes Scholar. Nima Warfield ’94 becomes the first Rhodes Scholar from any Historically Black College and University (HBCU), setting a new bar for academic achievement.
• 1995: Olympic Stage. Forbes Arena, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, is erected and used as a basketball venue for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, placing the campus on the world stage.
• 2005: Leadership Center. The state-of-the-art Leadership Center opens, later named for Dr. Walter E. Massey ’58, demonstrating a renewed commitment to grooming the next generation of global leaders.
• 2006: Capital Campaign Success. Morehouse completes its most ambitious capital campaign to date, successfully raising $118 million.
• 2007: Journalism Initiative. Journalist Ron Thomas launches the Morehouse College Journalism and Sports Program, boosted by significant donations, including $1 million from Spike Lee ’79 and a later $1 million from Charles Barkley in 2015.
• 2010: Arts and Media. The $20-million Ray Charles Performing Arts Center and Music Academic Building opens, providing a world-class home for the arts. This year also saw the establishment of the Cinema, Technology & Emerging Media Studies Program.
• 2013: A Presidential Address. U.S. President Barack Obama delivers the Commencement address, a historic moment for the College. Later that year, Spike Lee ‘79 is awarded an honorary Oscar for his groundbreaking film direction.
• 2015: Academic Excellence. For the first time in College history, Morehouse celebrates three valedictorians: Liam Davis, Ian Niemeyer, and Willie Thompson.
• 2016: The Sesquicentennial. Morehouse celebrates 150 years of shaping history.
• 2017: A New Era of Leadership. Dr. David A. Thomas is appointed as the 12th President of Morehouse College, ushering in a strategic new era for the institution.
• 2018: Fifth Rhodes Scholar. Franck Nijimbere becomes Morehouse’s fifth Rhodes Scholar, further cementing the College’s reputation for producing academic superstars.
• 2019: Unprecedented Generosity. This year saw a record-breaking fiscal year for fundraising. The highlight was philanthropist Robert F. Smith paying off the student loans of the entire Class of 2019, a transformative act of generosity. This was coupled with major donations from Oprah Winfrey and philanthropists Patty Quillin and Reed Hastings. The College also announced the AUCC Data Sciences Initiative to prepare students for high-demand technology careers.
• 2020: Responding to the Future. In the face of the global pandemic, the College quickly transitioned to a virtual learning environment. In preparation for the Fall 2020 class, Morehouse partnered with Microsoft and UPS Foundation to provide laptops to every incoming student, ensuring equity in access.
• 2021: Beyond Borders. As part of its strategic vision, Morehouse partnered with 2U to launch the College’s first online bachelor’s degree programs, expanding the Morehouse education to a wider, global audience.

The Morehouse Man: A Continuing Commitment

The story of Morehouse College is one of resilience, excellence, and unwavering purpose. Every date on this timeline represents a stepping stone toward a future where Black men lead in every field of human endeavor.

The legacy continues to grow stronger, driven by the principles of academic rigor, dedicated service, and the cultivation of moral leadership. We invite you to explore this timeline further and witness how the dream that began in 1867 is now a vibrant, global force.

What part of the Morehouse story inspires you most? Let us know in the comments below!

Categories

• College & University

Features

• Air conditioning
• Appointments
• Elevator in building
• Free Parking
• Wireless Internet

Regions

• Atlanta, GA.

Location