TheRoadTaken who have your connections and your relationship with Morehouse who could be president there.” The more I thought about it, and the more I discussed it with friends and family, the more it became clear to me that I had an opportunity to fill one of the most important positions at one of the most important institutions of higher education in America. So, I interviewed for the job. And when chairman Otis Moss and then vice-chairman Willie Davis offered me the position of president, I said I would be honored to accept. In the end, my decision to accept the offer came down to my conviction that Morehouse was the right place, that the presidency was the right job, and that I was the right person – the right leader at the right time – for Morehouse College…. I assumed the presidency of my alma mater 11 years ago, I set out, first, to define reality, and I defined that reality in terms of my vision for the College. I said that Morehouse would be among the very finest, private, undergraduate liberal arts colleges in the nation – period. I also said that the universe of institutions against which we measure our progress and standards must encompass all of the finest colleges and universities – not just those with origins similar to our own. And, I said that all the while, we will continue to be an institution that focuses on the development of leaders, and the college of choice for African American men. I know that, initially, a few people (well maybe more than a few), thought my vision was too lofty, that that goal would be impossible to reach. But it was a very real vision to me. As I said earlier, I knew about Morehouse – its unique role in higher education, its outstanding reputation, and the impact it had had on me, personally. Once I arrived at Morehouse, one of the things that inspired and encouraged me most in creating and standing behind my vision for the College is something Rev. Moss said, which I shared in my first
President Massey ’58 receives standing ovation at the 2006 Opening Convocation after announcing his retirement planned for June 2007.
Opening Convocation speech. He had described Morehouse as an “Unfinished Cathedral of Excellence.” So, in my speech, I drew a parallel between Morehouse and history’s great cathedrals, which required hundreds of years to build. I pointed out that some cathedrals are still not finished, and that they require constant work, undergirding and enhancement. Yet, they are always in use – integral to the development of those who carry on the construction, those who strive toward some distant point in the future – because perfection is never truly achieved. So, armed with my definition of reality – my vision of excellence for Morehouse – I reached out and enlisted members of this community to help me shape and refine that vision. I talked with trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, supporters and parents – anyone who would listen. And I listened to them – to their visions and their dreams. What I learned was that what I saw for Morehouse, others saw, too. Pretty soon, my vision for Morehouse became our shared vision for Morehouse. Then, we set about doing the hard work to make that vision a reality…. As president of Morehouse, I certainly am proud of our many accomplishments. But I know – and I believe you know, too – that all of these accomplishments – all of the scholarship funds
we raised, all the faculty research we funded, all the flowers and trees we planted – are not ends of themselves, but rather means to the end of serving Morehouse’s mission. During my tenure, I have worked to ensure that, above all, we are servants to Morehouse’s special mission and unique role in the education of African American men… In addition to Max De Pree, another person I admire is Robert Galvin, the long time chairman and CEO of Motorola Inc. He often said, “The job of a leader is to spread hope.” I have interpreted that phrase that hope is like a fertilizer. Hope allows new ideas to grow and flourish. It nurtures and reinvigorates old ideas that still have value, and it encourages the plantings of new seeds that will generate the next crop of innovations. As president of Morehouse, I hope that I have been able to spread hope. ■
N E
W S
Taking the Road Less Traveled? If so, we want to hear about it. Send to: morehousemageditor@morehouse.edu
F A L L
2 0 0 6
45
MOREHOUSE MAGAZINE