baccalaureate 2025
Saturday, the Seventeenth Day of May Two Thousand and Twenty-Five Three o’clock in the Afternoon
atlanta, georgia
the martin luther king jr. international chapel
OrderofBaccalaureate
presiding
The Reverend Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., Ph.D. , Dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” composed by Louis Bourgeois arr. Fred Bock
Prelude
Processional
Call to Baccalaureate
Evocation
The Occasion
*†Hymn
Scripture
Anthem
Introduction of Preacher
Sermon
Spiritual
Oil Portrait Unveilings
“Improvisation on Dear Old Morehouse” arr. David Francis Oliver, DMA
“Trumpet Tune” by John Stanley
Closing Remarks
Benediction
Morehouse College Hymn
Recessional
*Those
David Francis Oliver, DMA
Dr. Oliver
Dean Carter
The Reverend W. Franklyn Richardson, D. Min. Senior Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Mount Vernon, N.Y.
Willie E. Woods ’85, MBA Chairman, Morehouse College Board of Trustees President and Managing Director, ICV Partners, New York City, N.Y
“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!” Hymn Text: Reginald Heber Hymn Tune: NICAEA
Psalm 139:1-18 (KJV)
“Psalm 150” by César Franck
“Made For The Moment” Mark 15:21 (NRSV)
“I Ain’t Got Weary Yet” arr. Courtney Carey ’02
Willetta Lewis First Lady of Morehouse College
David Anthony Thomas, Ph.D. 12th President of Morehouse College
“And Then Shall the Trumpets Sound”
“Dear Old Morehouse” J.O.B. Moseley ’29
“Trumpet Voluntary” by Jeremiah Clarke and Henry Purcell
Morehouse College Glee Club
Caleb Cage ’25 Senior Class President
Morehouse College Glee Club
David Anthony Thomas, Ph.D. President, Morehouse College
The Reverend Brandon Thomas Crowley, Ph.D. ’08 Senior Pastor, Scholar, Humanitarian The Historic Myrtle Baptist Church West Newton, Mass.
Morehouse College Glee Club Soloist: Jordan Stewart ’25, Bass-Baritone
Chairman Woods
The Reverend Dean Carter
Dean Carter
The Reverend Aaron L. Parker, Ph.D. ’75 Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Morehouse College
ALL
Dr. Oliver
David Edward Morrow, DMA ’80, Professor of Music and Director of the Morehouse College Glee Club
David Francis Oliver, DMA, College Organist
“Abandon Rank All Ye Who Enter Here”
2025
BaccalaureatePreacher
The Rev. Brandon Thomas Crowley, Ph.D. ’08
Senior Pastor, Scholar, Humanitarian
The Historic Myrtle Baptist Church, West Newton, Mass.
The Rev. Dr. Brandon Thomas Crowley is a nationally respected pastor, preacher, author, and scholar specializing in religion, theology, ecclesiology, and queer theory. Since 2009, he has served as senior pastor of the historic Myrtle Baptist Church of West Newton, Massachusetts—one of the nation’s oldest Black congregations, founded by formerly enslaved persons following Reconstruction. Under Crowley’s leadership, Myrtle Baptist stands as one of the few open and affirming historically Black churches in the United States.
Crowley is also a Lecturer in Ministry Studies at Harvard Divinity School and has previously taught at Boston University, the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, the New York Theological Seminary, and Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. He earned a doctorate in Church and Society and a Master of Sacred Theology degree with a certificate in social justice from Boston University School of Theology. Crowley also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Morehouse College, where he received a certificate in Moral Cosmopolitan Pastoral Leadership.
His academic research and scholarship focus on constructing methodologies and discourses of subversion designed to challenge and dismantle oppressive forms of theological and ecclesial normalcy within Black churches. His first book, Queering Black Churches: Dismantling Heteronormativity in African American Congregations, was published by Oxford University Press and reflects his deep commitment to fostering inclusivity and reimagining the nature, mission, and practices of the Christian church.
Ordained in the Progressive National Baptist Convention of America Inc. and licensed by the National Baptist Convention of America, Crowley is also the executive director and chief curator of the African American Lectionary. His written work has appeared in key faith-based platforms, including the African American Lectionary. He serves on the inaugural Council of Religious Practitioners and Scholars for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. He also holds leadership roles on the Harvard Alumni Council, the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Community Benefits and Needs Assessment Committees, as well as other civic and spiritual organizations.
Dr. Crowley lives in Boston with his husband, Tyrone Sutton, an administrator in the Boston Public Schools, and their beloved 14-year-old Maltese, Bishop.
2025
OilPortraitHonoree
Willetta Lewis
The First Lady of Morehouse College
Ms. Willetta Lewis, the beloved First Lady of Morehouse College, is widely admired for her warmth, family-centered values, and joyful spirit. As the wife of Dr. David A. Thomas, the 12th President of Morehouse College, Ms. Lewis has brought to the campus community a compassionate presence and deep commitment to nurturing environments where families and students can thrive.
A proud mother of three, Ms. Lewis dedicated much of her life to raising her children with care, intention, and purpose. Believing that a child’s growth extends beyond the home, she was actively engaged in organizations and initiatives that supported youth development and family life. She served multiple times as a class parent, building strong partnerships with teachers and school leaders to create nurturing academic spaces. Her leadership extended into efforts to foster inclusive school communities, where she headed the Diversity Committee at her children’s school—advocating for equity, representation, and dialogue.
Ms. Lewis was also an active member of the Boston Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a nationally respected organization focused on leadership development and cultural enrichment for AfricanAmerican children. In this role, she helped plan programs that empowered young people and strengthened familial bonds, while contributing to a network of support among like-minded mothers.
After many years devoted to her family’s well-being and educational journey, Ms. Lewis decided to pursue her own academic goals.
Demonstrating the same dedication she instilled in her children, she returned to college and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Georgetown University. Her return to higher education reflected her belief in lifelong learning and the importance of pursuing one’s aspirations at every stage of life.
Now embracing her role as an empty nester, Ms. Lewis continues to serve others with the same heart and purpose that guided her parenting years. She plans to volunteer with the American Red Cross, contributing her time to humanitarian efforts that support people during times of crisis. She is also preparing to work with Days for Girls, a global organization committed to advancing menstrual equity and health education for women and girls around the world. These new chapters reflect her enduring compassion and sense of global citizenship.
Ms. Lewis’s presence at Morehouse College is both gracious and grounding. Whether engaging with students, supporting campus events, or simply sharing a warm smile, she embodies the spirit of family and inclusion. Her life’s journey—from nurturing her children to championing education and service—has been marked by kindness, humility, and a genuine love for people.
Her commitment to faith, family, and community continues to inspire those around her, and her legacy as First Lady of Morehouse is defined by grace, wisdom, and a profound dedication to the values that lift others.
Michael Adams ’03
John Aldridge ’51
Julius James Alexander Jr. ’59
Robert Allen ’63
Sidney Alston ’82
Goree Andreas Ex. ’27
Timothy Askew ’83
William Bacon ’56
William Bailey-Murray ’76
Albert Henry Battle III ’24
Jesse Clifton Bowden III ’97
A.J. Brady ’05
James S. Brown ’16
Michael Collins ’84
Fletcher Coombs ’50
Quiester Craig ’57
Mark Andrew Dennis Jr. ’71
Hugh T. Douglas Ex.’25*
John T. Driskell III ’02
Adrian L. Dukes II Ex.’25*
baccalaureate 2025 Necrology*
Emory Everette ’58
Christion X. Files Ex.’25*
Frank Flores ’83
Reginald Gaither ’92
Andreas Goree Ex.’26*
Harold Lawrence Head ’65
Harold Head II ’99
Gregory O’Neal Hickson ’83
Sanford Irwin III ’91
Duane Jackson ’82
James Jennings Jr. ’06
Carl Johnson ’82
Harold W. Jordan ’58
Elvie Kirby ’69
Leonard Delos Law Jr. ’58
Barry Everett Lee ’90
Joseph Lefft ’11
Lebert F. Gee Lester ’93
Patrick Henry McClain ’54
Kevin McCowan ’86
faculty & staff
Maureen McGarvey Dinges, Ph.D. Professor of Speech Communication 26 years
Duane M. Jackson, Ph.D. ’74 Professor of Psychology 38 years
Anderson Williams, Ph.D. Professor of Business Management and Honda Campus All-Star Team Coach 15+ years
* Denotes students with the
Willam Claude McFarlin Jr. ’72
Jon Raymond Meyers ’84
Benjamin Miller ’54
Winston J. Perryman Ex.’25*
George Childs Petagrew ’87
Stephan Pinckney ’78
William Powell ’52
Morris Everett Reese ’84
Joseph Sansom ’65
Willis Sheftall Jr. ’64
Joel Silver ’72
Louis Marion Smith ’65
Michael Bernard Smith ’00
Preston Smith Jr. ’49
Lawrence Miles Oldham Thompson ’07
Jethro W. Toomer ’66
Dr. William Tucker ’62
Dr. Derek Joseph Wilson ’90
Andre Duane Woody ’75
Waymon Wright ’61
Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty!
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy!
Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy!
All the saints adore thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea.
Cherubim and seraphim, falling down before thee, Who was and is and evermore shall be.
Holy, holy, holy!
Though the darkness hide thee, Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see, Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
Hymn Text Reginald Heber
Dear Old Morehouse
Dear old Morehouse, dear old Morehouse, We have pledged our lives to thee; And we’ll ever, yea forever, Give ourselves in loyalty.
True forever, true forever, To old Morehouse may we be; So to bind each son the other Into ties more brotherly.
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Make us steadfast, honest, true, To old Morehouse and her ideals And in all things that we do.
J. O. B. Moseley ’29
Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy!
Merciful and Mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.