Foreword

During my time as president of Morgan State University, I have often asked for audiences to indulge me as I told them the CliffsNotes version of the story of my upbringing: how I was raised by my parents in rural Alabama, the youngest of 10 children in my family; how my very intelligent father was illiterate, and my mother, our home educator, ended her own schooling as a young girl in eighth grade to go to work to help her family survive; how my parents, despite their own experience, placed such a high value on education that two of their children, myself included, overcame great financial obstacles, among others, to attend and graduate from college. My roadmap through higher education administration has charted the most rewarding and gratifying journey, particularly given the knowledge of my modest beginnings. Full disclosure: I would not be completely forthcoming to say that I believe my story has no greater importance. What makes it important for others to hear, I believe, is its ubiquity. My story, in its infinite iterations, is a common one, about the power of opportunity to transform the lives of people to whom opportunity has long been denied. It is one of many stories that illustrate the success of the mission of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Morgan State. Being chosen in 2010 to take the baton held by my predecessors, the past presidents of this great institution, was an incredible honor and a tremendous responsibility that I have accepted in their full weight. I have challenged myself and challenged this university always to strive to be better and do better, knowing the consequences of our responsibility to the students we serve.

And I have seen our efforts bear fruit as success that has often surpassed our goals. I thank all of the members of the Morgan family — students, alumni, faculty, staff, regents and supporters — who have made our advancement over the past decade possible with your hard work, your talent and your commitment to the University. I hope you find the information in this 10-year retrospective as inspirational as I do, and I look forward to continuing our work together as we transform our National Treasure.