2022 Opening Convocation

OPENING CONVOCATION Celebrating the Start of the 2022-2023 Academic Year Thursday, September 8, 2022 | 10:45 a.m.

Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel

Opening Convocation Speaker

The Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Haggray As executive director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies and Judson Press, Dr. Jeffrey Haggray finds the heart of his ministry in motivating Christians to impact communities with their deeply held faith; encouraging emerging leaders to discern and respond to God’s call; and emphasizing God’s loving concern for humanity’s well-being, wholeness, and justice. Haggray works closely with diverse national and regional partners to provide a clear vision of the Christian mission in today’s world, to cultivate relationships and to develop resources for transformational ministry with congregations, communities and regions across the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico.

Haggray earned a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn., and a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Alderson-Broaddus College, Philippi, W.V., awarded Haggray an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 2005. In 2006, he received the James F.

Jenkins Pillar of Faith Award for outstanding contributions to the greater Washington, D.C. spiritual community.

Having served congregations in New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Georgia, Haggray understands the day-to-day needs of local congregations involved in disciple-making, worship, leadership development, evangelism, and mission engagement. As a regional executive minister for the District of Columbia Baptist Convention, Haggray found that access to necessary human and material resources allows congregations and institutions to positively impact their communities without limit.

Haggray is a member of Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. His wife, Shelby Martin Haggray, is an ordained American Baptist minister. The couple has three children.

“When a compelling mission-driven vision is coupled with faith in God and a strong determination to succeed, the required resources often follow,” he says. “The United States of America is a strategic mission field for proclaiming the Christian gospel, developing Christian disciples, promoting justice, and collaborating and networking for ministry. As we impact America for Christ, we impact the world, and I am motivated by that prospect.”

Ceremonial Marshals CHIEF CEREMONIAL MARSHAL Dr. J. K. Haynes ’64 MARSHALS OF THE FACULTY Dr. Adria Welcher MARSHALS OF THE PLATFORM PARTY Dr. Triscia W. Hendrickson, Dr. Robert Tanner MARSHALS OF THE FRESHMAN AND SENIOR CLASS Mr. Illya E. Davis ’89, Mr. Jordan D.` Ross ’18

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Morehouse College: Opening Convocation 2022

MACEBEARER Dr. Lance Shipman Young ’95 MARSHALS OF THE STUDENTS Dr. Jaime Chavez, Dr. Brian Lawrence Dr. Alison Ligon, Dr. Glynnis Johnson, Dr. Yohance Murray ’96, Dr. Wallace Sharif ’94 Dr. Patrick Washington ’03

Program Presiding Dr. Kendrick Brown

Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs

Dr. David Francis Oliver

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

PRELUDE

PROCESSIONAL

War March of the Priests

By Felix Mendelssohn

OPENING PRAYER*

Dr. Oliver

The Reverend Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr.

Dean, Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel

The Star-Spangled Banner

PRESENTATION OF COLORS*

College Organist

By Fred Bock

Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

Text by Francis Scott Key | Music by John Stafford Smith

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing

Text by James Weldon Johnson | Music by J. Rosamond Johnson

Provost Brown

WELCOME AND OCCASION John Was a Writer

MUSICAL SELECTION

Arranged by Uzee Brown Jr. ’72 Soloist: B’Nathaniel Orlu ’24

Morehouse College Glee Club Dr. David Edward Morrow ’80 Director and Professor of Music

INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER Dr. David A. Thomas

12th President, Morehouse College

MESSAGE

When the Young King Prayed (1 Kings 3: 4-15)

The Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Haggray

Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies and Judson Press

CLOSING REMARKS COLLEGE HYMN* RECESSIONAL

*All who are able, please stand.

President Thomas

Dear Old Morehouse

by J.O.B. Moseley ’29

God of Our Fathers

By George Warren

Dr. Oliver

Morehouse College: Opening Convocation 2022

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Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.

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.

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