show was Tony Award winner LaChanze, who won the Best Leading Actress Award for her role as “Celie” in the Broadway show “The Color Purple.” She is married to Morehouse alumnus Derek Fordjour ’01. This year, more than any other, the emphasis was on family. The honorees acknowledged their spouses and families, who they said stood with them through the tough times. It was especially poignant for honoree Davidson, who was introduced by his son, Morehouse senior Julian Davidson. He also took the time to show off the other members of his family, wife Faye and sons Robert III (class of 2001) and John (class of 2003), who joined him on stage. Just as the immediate families of the honorees helped them become stronger,it is the family and friends of Morehouse who ensure the College’s strength. The gala has raised more than $6 million since it began in 1989. That amount continues to grow. This year, for example, honoree Johnson announced the creation of a fund to aid in student scholarship, while Bank of America President and CEO Kenneth Lewis announced the formation of the $100,000 Walter and Shirley Massey Community Development Endowment. Major sponsors of the gala included the
“All struggle will not make you great, but you cannot be great without struggle,” he said. “A tree that has never been in a storm is not trustworthy—it may even be dangerous. The winds help the roots to grow deeper,make the branches grow wider and the top grow taller. “After the storm, the tree is always stronger.” ■ Monica Pearson, news anchor for Atlanta’s WSB-TV, moderates Reflections of Excellence, a panel discussion featuring the 2007 Bennie and Candle award recipients.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bank of America, BP Foundation, Delta Air Lines, General Motors, Johnson and Johnson, UPS and Wal-Mart. The Coca-Cola Company served as lead sponsor and hosted the VIP reception. Bringing a fitting close to the Founder’s Day activities was the Rev. Otis Moss Jr. ’56, former chair of the Morehouse Board of Trustees and pastor of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland. During the closing service, Moss discussed a decidedly less glamorous perspective on the College’s founding: the role that struggle has in the making of a great institution or individual.
Vickie Hampton contributed to this article.
Morehouse Alumnus Art McClung ‘66 and his wife Angela (center) are recogonized for their continued support of the College during the Major Donors’ Reception by Phillip Howard 87, vice president for Institutional Advancement, Willie “Flash” Davis ’56, chair of the Board of Trustees, and President Walter E. Massey ’58.
Anne W. Watts (center), associate vice president for Academic Affairs, with student presenters (left to right): Julian Davidson Charles Blanton, Christopher Thomas, Brandon Crowley, Yaw Asare, Di’Jonn Grizzell, William Jurist, Kenneth Jones, Travers Johnson, Courtney English and Brandon Todd S U M M E R
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