About
MSUF
The Morgan State University Foundation, Inc. is a separately incorporated nonprofit organization established in 1971 as a 501(c)(3) entity to promote the growth, progress, and general welfare of Morgan State University. The Foundation advances the university’s mission of teaching, research, and community outreach by raising and managing private funds that support scholarships, faculty, research, facilities, and academic programs. It receives, records, and distributes gifts and grants from private (non-governmental) sources, including alumni, parents, friends, corporations, and foundations, ensuring that all contributions are used in accordance with donor intent and are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Foundation plays a critical role in addressing the needs of the university community in areas where government funding is limited or unavailable, while also identifying and sustaining a network of private supporters committed to investing in Morgan’s continued impact and future.
OUR
Values
ADVANCING MORGAN STATE’S MISSION
The Morgan State University Foundation serves as a catalyst for opportunity and innovation by connecting philanthropic investment to the university’s highest priorities. Through strategic stewardship and donor partnership, the Foundation helps expand access for students, strengthen academic excellence, and support initiatives that position Morgan for continued growth and impact. FOSTERING GROWTH THROUGH PHILANTHROPY The Morgan State University Foundation bridges the gap where government funding falls short, empowering the university to meet the evolving needs of its community. Through the generosity of dedicated private supporters, the Foundation fuels Morgan’s mission, growth, and long-term success. ENSURING YOUR GIFT MAKES AN IMPACT At Morgan, philanthropy creates possibility. The Morgan State University Foundation is committed to thoughtful stewardship and accountability, ensuring every gift is managed with care, transparency, and respect for donor intent. Through responsible oversight, philanthropic investments are transformed into meaningful opportunities that support students, strengthen programs, and advance the university’s future for years to come.
Dear Morgan Family, Friends, Alumni, and Esteemed Guests, Welcome to the 42nd Annual Morgan State University Homecoming Gala—an extraordinary evening of celebration, reflection and shared purpose. Tonight, we gather under a theme that captures the spirit of Morgan State University and this milestone moment: “The National Treasure: Honoring Excellence, Empowering the Future.” A decade ago, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Morgan State University’s entire campus a National Treasure, recognizing the significance of our historic grounds and the rich legacy that has shaped generations of Morganites. The designation affirmed what the Morgan community has always known: Morgan’s greatest treasure is its people, its purpose, and its enduring commitment to transforming lives through education. Ten years later, we celebrate a Morgan that honors its remarkable past while boldly building its future. The National Treasure is not simply what Morgan preserves. It is what Morgan produces. It is the scholars, scientists, engineers, artists, educators, entrepreneurs and leaders who carry the Morgan experience into the world. It is the discoveries emerging from our laboratories, the innovation taking place in our classrooms, and the knowledge generated through research that has the power to transform our communities, our nation, and the world. That momentum continues to grow. As Morgan approaches its 160th anniversary, the University is advancing toward Carnegie R1 status, building upon its progression from R3 to R2 and a record $104.4 million in sponsored research funding in fiscal year 2025. This is what it means to honor excellence and empower the future. Our responsibility is not simply to admire what Morgan has accomplished, but to invest in what Morgan is becoming. That investment is already creating measurable impact. The Morgan State University Foundation has grown its endowment to $226.6 million, while $6.4 million in endowed scholarship support has helped make possible 2,248 scholarship awards for Morgan students. The Homecoming Gala is the Foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year. Every contribution expands scholarships, meaningful opportunities and transformative experiences that empower talented students to pursue a Morgan education—and prepare not only to graduate, but to lead. That is the power of a National Treasure.
We are grateful to our sponsors, donors, alumni, university leadership, Foundation Board, event partners, volunteers, students, faculty, staff, and friends whose commitment makes this evening possible. Together, we celebrate Morgan’s enduring legacy while investing boldly in its future. As we commemorate ten years since Morgan was named a National Treasure, we are reminded that preservation and progress go hand in hand. We preserve the legacy so that we can propel the mission. May this evening inspire us to honor the excellence that brought us here and empower the future that awaits. With gratitude and Morgan pride, Endia DeCordova, Executive Director Joseph Simms, Chair
Executive Committee Joseph Simms, III ‘93 Board Chair Kevin Hawkins ‘88 Vice Chair Mervin Bourne ‘99 Secretary Craig Spencer ‘83 & ‘86 Treasurer I Chair, Finance and Audit & Compliance Committee(s) Calvin Baker Chair, Investment Committee Board Members Lt. Col. (Ret.) Michael L. Bell ‘76 President, Morgan State University Alumni Association David Brashear ‘97 Anthony Clark ‘90 Nicholas Edwards ‘14 Omar McIntosh ‘00 Stephanie Nellons-Paige ‘81 & ‘85 Trisch Smith ‘96 William Serman ‘83 Board of Regents Representative David Sheppard ‘87 Cyril Wallace Ron Ward Dawn White Ex-Officio Members Dr. David K. Wilson President, Morgan State University Ms. Endia DeCordova, MBA ‘99 Executive Director, MSU Foundation, Inc. Vice President, Institutional Advancement
Office of the President Dear Morgan Family and Friends: On behalf of the Morgan State University Board of Regents, our students, faculty, staff and the entire Morgan community, I welcome you to the 42nd Annual Morgan State University Foundation Gala, “The National Treasure: A Decade of Excellence.” Tonight is a celebration of Morgan — and of you. As we stand on the eve of Morgan’s 160th year, we are reminded that our legacy has been built generation by generation — through education, opportunity, and an unwavering belief in the potential of our students. During the past decade, we have further advanced that enduring foundation with remarkable momentum. Morgan has grown in size, stature and impact, while remaining steadfast in the mission entrusted to us: to serve our community, city and state, and to support the education of the students in our care. Today, we are educating more students than at any time in our history, advancing toward Carnegie R1 classification, expanding our research enterprise and creating new pathways for discovery, innovation and student success. Our students are earning prestigious national honors, developing award-winning technologies and entrepreneurial ventures, and carrying the Morgan name around the world through scholarship, research, athletics, the arts and cultural exchange. These achievements do not happen by chance. They are fueled by investment — and by people who believe that when we invest in Morgan, we invest in what is possible. That is why this Gala remains so important. The generosity represented by way of this event translates into scholarships that keep students on the path to graduation; research experiences that turn curiosity into discovery; experiential learning that prepares our graduates to compete and lead; and global opportunities that broaden perspectives and allow our students to experience the world while introducing the world to Morgan. This evening, we offer special recognition to alumnus Chris Blake, Class of 1992, and his wife, Delores, whose generosity marks the first time a Morgan graduate has served as Presenting Sponsor of this Gala. We celebrate Vianna Briscoe, Class of 1969, for her transformative $2 million gift establishing the Vianna Briscoe and Timothy Weldon Endowed Scholarship Fund, honoring her late husband and fellow Morganite, Tim, Class of 1970. And we extend our profound appreciation to Steve Bisciotti and the Bisciotti Family Foundation for renewing a commitment of up to $3 million to provide scholarship and degree-completion support for 40 new Ozzie Newsome Scholars attending Morgan State. To every alumnus, donor, corporate partner and friend of Morgan represented here tonight: thank you. Your generosity is helping us remove barriers, open doors and create opportunities for our students to determine their destiny. This evening also begins a new chapter as we gather for the first time at Live! Casino & Hotel. As we embrace this new setting, we gratefully acknowledge Martin’s West for more than four decades of hospitality, partnership and treasured Gala memories. A decade of excellence has brought Morgan to this extraordinary moment. Yet, we are not finished. There is more to discover, more to achieve and more lives to transform. Together, we will continue our ascent — One Morgan, moving forward with purpose, with confidence and with an unwavering determination to build an even greater future. With Morgan Pride,
David K. Wilson President Morgan State University
1700 E. Cold Spring Lane • 400 Truth Hall • Baltimore, MD 21251 • (443) 885-3200 • Fax (443) 885-8296 Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University
Gala Program Welcome Aprill Watts Kemoy Martin 11’
MSU Foundation, Inc. Remarks Mr. Joe Simms III, ‘93 Chair, Morgan State University Foundation Board Ms. Endia DeCordova, ’99 Vice President for Institutional Advancement Executive Director, Morgan State University Foundation, Inc. Our Promise: MSU Student Spotlight Mr. Noah Ellis Senior | Multiplatform Production Ms. Leslie Noukemeu Senior | Finance Presidential Remarks Dr. David K. Wilson, President Philanthropy Spotlight A Legacy of Giving Mrs. Vianna Briscoe ’69 Honoring the Legacy of Mr. Timothy Weldon ’70 Vianna Briscoe and Timothy Weldon Endowed Scholars Fund Call to Action Alma Mater
MEET YOUR
Hosts
Kemoy Martin ’11, s a Jamaican-born, Brooklyn-raised travel creator, speaker, and founder of Limitless Media Group. In 2013, he left his government career to see the world. Today, he takes an audience of more than 3 million beyond the usual tourist stops, sharing stories from 89 countries while amplifying African and Caribbean culture. Named Travel Influencer of the Year by Travel Noire and the Influencer Global Awards, Kemoy has also been featured at Forbes Creator Upfronts. This Homecoming, he returns to Morgan State to co-host the 42nd Annual Homecoming Gala.
April Watts is a media veteran, creative founder, professional emcee, and speaker whose career spans radio, television, and digital media across Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Cincinnati. Known to audiences as “Your Favorite Girl,”April has built a dynamic career as an on-air personality, television contributor, and digital creator, appearing across radio and television, as well as on billboards, in magazines and music videos, and on some of the Mid-Atlantic’s biggest stages. This year, she brings that energy to the stage as co-host of the 42nd Annual Homecoming Gala.
We are privileged to again share in the Homecoming experience with the Morgan community! Our enjoyment of life’s many adventures is enhanced by what we have learned educationally and culturally at Morgan. The quality of the work that we do in our various endeavors is a direct reflection of and tribute to what we have learned here at Morgan. It’s a fact that the mighty institution that is Morgan State University has enriched many lives and advanced both Maryland’s - and America’s - standing in the world. Homecoming affords all of us the opportunity to pay tribute to Morgan and re-affirm our commitment to its bright future. We wish everyone a wonderful and enjoyable Homecoming weekend! GO BEARS! Tammy and Peter Harvey
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MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY CONGRATULATIONS ON 41 YEARS OF THE HOMECOMING GALA!
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Wishing the Morgan State University Foundation a very successful 42nd Annual Homecoming Gala. The Joseph and Kaliq Simms Charitable Fund
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THE ALMA
Mater
Fair Morgan, we love thee, so tried and so true, Our hearts at thy name thrill with pride; We owe thee allegiance, we pledge thee our faith, A faith which shall ever abide. CHORUS We pledge thee our love, we pledge thee our faith, Whatever the future may bring, And thus our devotion, fidelity too, And homage we pay as we sing. II. Fair Morgan, as onward the years quickly fly, And thou livest in memory sweet. We bring thee our laurels whatever they be, And lay them with joy at thy feet. CHORUS
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