RECLAIMING &PROCLAIMING OUR HISTORY

The MWPHGLMD Honors the Life and Legacy of Supreme Court Associate Justice Bro. Thurgood Marshall at Morgan State University

By R.W. Seymour E. Chambers, MPS Grand Historian, MWPHGLMD

May 6, 2023, marked another historic day for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland. By the authority of the Hon. Noel C. Osborne, Sr., Grand Master, the Office of the Grand Lecturer conducted a plaque dedication ceremony at the newly erected Thurgood Marshall Residence & Dining Hall on the campus of Morgan State University. This event was two years in the making but time, patience, and perseverance accomplish all things. The Offices of the Grand Lecturer and Grand Historian worked hand-in-hand to ensure that the ceremony would not only take place, but reflect the solemnity due on such an occasion. The ceremony was a public demonstration of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland and Morgan State University’s long and significant history. During the last century, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland has laid seven cornerstones on the campus, with Baldwin Hall dormitory being the first in 1929.

That cornerstone ceremony was presided over by then Grand Master Willard W. Allen, when the Grand Lodge was the Most Worshipful United Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. The May 6th ceremony began at 11:00 a.m. with Junior Grand Warden, R.W. Randolph S. Smith Sr., serving as the master of ceremonies. The invocation was offered by Bro. Dr. Mark A. Wainwrigt. Dr. Don-Terry Veal, Morgan State University’s Chief of Staff and Vice President for Federal and State Relations brought greetings from the University and welcomed the MD Prince Hall family to the campus. Senior Grand Warden, R.W. William Davidson, III, offered a response to the welcome, and thanked the University for the opportunity to dedicate the plaque. R.W. Seymour E. Chambers, Grand Historian gave the purpose of the event, highlighting the close to 200-year relationship between Morgan State University and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland.

Following the opening remarks, the craft assembled with the Grand Master, elected Grand Lodge officers, brothers and sisters processing to the plaque for the ceremony. The highlight of the day was the beautifully presented ceremony conducted by the Office of the Grand Lecturer, with R.W. Daryl Jefferson, Grand Lecturer presiding.

At the conclusion of the dedication portion of the event, the craft recessed back to the patio of Thurgood Marshall Hall for the second half of the program. Professor and SGIG Larry Gibson, lawyer and author of Young Thurgood: The Making of a Supreme Court Justice offered remarks on the life of Bro. Marshall. Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, followed by offering her remarks on the significance of this event, and presented the Grand Lodge with a proclamation from her office.

The program concluded with the Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Kevin L. Barney Jr., introducing the Hon. Noel C. Osborne to bring his remarks. Grand Master Osborne thanked those in attendance, and recognized Past Grand Master Emanuel J. Stanley, who was Grand Master during the initial planning for the installation of the plaque. The Grand Master recognized the hard work and collaboration of the Offices of the Grand Lecturer and Grand Historian in the arrangement and execution of the ceremony. It was noted by the Grand Master that the last time the Grand Lodged conducted a cornerstone ceremony on the campus was 70 years ago, and today was a public recognition of the continued commitment and relationship between the Grand Lodge and Morgan State University. Bro. Wainwright offered the benediction, closing out this special day.■

R.W. Shannon Vance-Corbett MPS Assistant Grand Historian MWPHGLMD