January 3 …

Morgan State University — a historically Black public research university in Baltimore, MD — is the state’s designated public urban university and a leading institution for educating African Americans.

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Founded on January 3, 1867 as the Centenary Biblical Institute, the institution was established by the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church to educate newly emancipated African Americans in the aftermath of the Civil War. Over more than 150 years, Morgan State has evolved from a small religious training school into one of the nation’s leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Today, as Maryland’s designated public urban research university, it ranks among the largest HBCUs in the United States, serving more than 10,000 students across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.

The university’s origins reflected Blacks’ aspirations during Reconstruction. Initially established to train Black men for the ministry, the Centenary Biblical Institute operated in Baltimore with a curriculum focused on religious instruction and teacher preparation. As demand for educational opportunities grew, the institution broadened its mission to include liberal arts and professional studies.

In 1890, the school changed its name to Morgan College in honor of Reverend Lyttleton F. Morgan, the first chairman of its board of trustees and a generous benefactor whose financial support helped secure the institution’s future. The renaming symbolized the school’s transition from a theological institute to a broader institution of higher learning dedicated to advancing African Americans.

A major turning point came in 1915, when Morgan relocated to its current campus in northeast Baltimore. The move provided room for expansion and enabled the college to develop new academic programs and facilities. During the first half of the 20th century, it emerged as one of the most respected Black colleges in the Mid-Atlantic region.

In 1939, the State of Maryland purchased the institution, transforming it into a public college. This move was part of a broader effort to provide educational opportunities for African Americans within the segregated higher education system that existed before the Civil Rights era. Following World War II, enrollment increased substantially, and the institution expanded its offerings in education, business, science, engineering, and the humanities.

In 1975, recognizing the growth of its graduate and professional programs, the institution officially became Morgan State University.

Morgan State has played a vital role in developing African American leaders in government, business, education, and public service. Among its distinguished alumni are the following individuals.

• Kweisi Mfume, who earned a Bachelor of Science in 1976 before serving in Congress and leading the NAACP.
• Elijah Cummings (1973), who became one of the most influential members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
• Earl G. Graves Sr. (1958), who established one of the nation’s most influential Black-owned media enterprises.

The university’s current president, David Wilson (1981), has overseen significant institutional growth and research expansion since assuming the presidency in 2010.

In the 21st century, Morgan State has become a major research institution with nationally recognized programs in engineering, architecture, transportation, public health, cybersecurity, education, and business. The university ranks among the nation’s leading producers of African American engineers and scientists and has awarded tens of thousands of degrees since its founding. Its ongoing commitment to research, community engagement, and educational opportunity reflects the vision of its founders, who sought to provide newly freed African Americans with access to higher education.

As one of the most prominent HBCUs in the United States, Morgan State University remains a powerful symbol of educational advancement, leadership, and achievement in African American history.

Selected Sources:

• Mary, Nancy M. Morgan State University: The Greater Purpose of Higher Education. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1990.
• Murphy, Raymond V. The History of Morgan State College: A Century of Service, 1867–1967. Baltimore: Morgan State College Press, 1967.