DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Dear Alumni, Homecoming 2016 is fast approaching, and we will, once again, gather on the campus of our beloved alma mater for another momentous celebration. Whether we come for the football game or to meet our friends and former classmates, whether we dress up in our fraternity or sorority paraphernalia to gather at our designated Greek areas to step and sing our special songs, or look forward to visiting the various tailgating parties — whatever draws us to Homecoming — it’s indeed a special time to come home. Well, this year is the beginning of another special time here at Morgan. Your alma mater is preparing to hold its Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2017. That’s right! Morgan State University will be turning 150 years old. What a time to bask in the history of this great institution! Our theme, in recognition of our legacy, is “Purpose-Progress-Promise.” We have been working assiduously for the past three years to prepare for this grand celebration. We will adorn our campus and appointed areas throughout our city and state with specially designed sesquicentennial banners, and, with the assistance of our forthcoming sesquicentennial website, our extended Morgan family around the world will join us in celebrating our achievements. In collaboration with the 125th Anniversary of the Afro-American Newspaper, we are planning a special pre-sesquicentennial celebration kickoff in November 2016, featuring
Precious Morgan Memories Morgan State University is preparing for its Sesquicentennial Celebration,
which will start at the December 2016 Commencement and be held throughout the 2017 calendar year. Part of the University’s plans involves assembling an extensive collection of photographs, records, historical documents, personal stories and other memorabilia that make up Morgan’s rich history. Many of those collectible items lie in the hands of our alumni, retired employees and friends. We are now assembling a Treasure Chest of Morgan Memories, which will tell the documented and undocumented stories of the students, faculty, administrators, alumni, supporters, events and achievements that are a part of Morgan’s composite history. We invite you to join us in this effort by sending to us photographs, documents, facts and brief narratives of memorable moments in your Morgan experience. When sending photographs, please note the date, location and subject, and identify the
HOMECOMING 2016 A New Day for MSU!
As the Morgan family prepares for its Homecoming celebration, MSU Athletics is experiencing change at the top. Fred T. Farrier was appointed the Bears’ Interim Head Football Coach this past February, after the departure of the previous Head Coach, Lee Hull, for the National Football League. Also, at the time of this writing, Morgan’s search for a new Athletic Director is in full swing. However, as Interim Athletic Director Erlease Wagner reports, Morgan’s “Return to Greatness” is still very much on track. “The goal of the Return to Greatness Steering Committee was to identify practices and make recommendations to move the football program back to a position where the scholar-athletes are successful, academically and athletically….” Wagner says. “I think (President Wilson) is looking for an Athletic Director who will provide leadership to do just that, someone who has strong leadership skills in all aspects of athletics, including (NCAA Academic
a concert with Anthony Brown and Group Therapy, a “Morgan Through the Lens of the Afro-American” Exhibition and a symposium on African-American journalism. The 2017 calendar year will be filled with activities that appeal to our students, faculty, administration, alumni and supporters, as well as the larger community. On another important historical note, Morgan has spearheaded the formation of “HBCU-9,” a collaborative celebration of the nine HBCUs that will mark their 150th anniversary in 2017: Alabama State University, Barber-Scotia College, Fayetteville State University, Howard University, Johnson C. Smith University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, St. Augustine’s University and Talladega College. In April 2017, this national celebration will culminate in a summit of these institutions’ chancellors and presidents in Washington, D.C., cosponsored by the White House Initiative on HBCUs, as well as a variety of other institutional and joint activities involving these schools. So, begin thinking about how you will participate in and commemorate this milestone in Morgan’s history. Watch out for our website, make note of other correspondence we send to you, take advantage of the special offers we make available, and become an active participant in the Sesquicentennial Celebration of your alma mater. See you soon, and continued best wishes! Sincerely, Joyce A. Brown, ’86 and ’01 MSU Director of Alumni Relations
individuals who appear in the photograph. For all items, please identify the sender (including your last name when you were a student) by degree, year of graduation and major. Items selected for use during the Sesquicentennial Celebration will become part of the permanent Archives of Morgan State University. You may send those memories in hard copy to: Sesquicentennial Celebration Office, Room 323, Earl S. Richardson Library, Morgan State University, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251. Or, you may send them electronically to: Celebration150@ Morgan.edu. Be sure to include your contact information, so we may respond by sending you a consent form giving us permission to use the information you submitted. The various print and electronic publications that use the items you send will acknowledge your contribution in those publications. Thank you for helping us with this Sesquicentennial Celebration project, and please stay tuned to Morgan’s webpage for updates on the 2017 Celebration.
Progress Rates), and fundraising, and who can make a positive impact on the student-athlete experience and student-athlete welfare.” As for this year’s football season, Wagner says, “I always expect our teams to be competitive…. It’s about our coaching staff preparing our student-athletes to be successful in the classroom, and that translates into success on the field.” The Homecoming contest against North Carolina Central “should be a good game for us,” she predicts. “I’m hoping we go into that game undefeated and pack the stadium.” Wagner says the Athletic Department has pledged to reach out more effectively to Morgan alumni. “College is one of the best times of your life, as you’re growing into the person you’re going to be….” Wagner says. “And all of the alumni that I’ve engaged have expressed the desire to make sure our student-athletes have that type of experience. The general question I get is, ‘How can I help you?’ ”
CHAPTER AND CLASS NEWS Class of 1966 Celebrates Its Golden Jubilee
The Class of 1966 began the celebration of its 50th Class Reunion during Alumni Weekend, May 20–22, 2016. More than 100 class members, family members and friends attended the 76th Annual Alumni Awards and Class Reunion Luncheon, on Friday, May 20. Beaming alums, 58 strong in gold regalia — the largest group to date — proudly led the 2016 Spring Commencement procession on May 21. The rockstar greetings and waves from the crowds were heartfelt. A Post-Commencement Reception in the University Student Center provided an opportunity to reflect on Alpha Delta Alumni Chapter Seeks Morgan AKAs Alpha Delta Alumni Chapter is continuing its drive to identify Morganites who pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. during their undergraduate years at Morgan. The chapter’s goals are to have the pledges pay their alumni dues to the MSU Alumni Association and to the Alpha Delta Chapter, and to support the Alpha Delta Endowment Fund. Reaching these goals will increase the giving rate to Morgan while also supporting the graduating classes of the chapter members. All interested Morganites
the importance of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. A grand time was enjoyed on a Saturday evening cruise aboard the Spirit of Baltimore. The weekend came to a close with an uplifting, interactive worship service at the University Memorial Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Bernard Keels, D.Min. and the Rev. Dr. Maceo Williams. Alumni honored their deceased class members with music, the lighting of candles, and commemorative fans. MSU President David Wilson attended the service and spoke highly of the class, adding to the significance of this milestone event. are urged to contact the chapter’s membership chair, Timmel Brown, at timmelbrown@yahoo.com for details. Since Alpha Delta chapter’s membership is spread across the continental U.S. and abroad, the chapter has published its first newsletter in an effort to strengthen the chapter’s bond with members and keep them informed of what is happening with the chapter and with Morgan. This newsletter is the work of the Chapter Secretary, Rashida H. Govan, Ph.D., ’97. Plans are also underway to meet during Homecoming weekend. Continued on page 3
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