Morgan Celebrates 20 Year Renaissance

- Celebration Coincides with 20th Anniversary of Earl S. Richardson’s Presidency -

On Wednesday, April 13, 2005 Morgan State University looks back on a record-setting period in its history and joins with leaders from Baltimore, the State of Maryland and the nation to celebrate its 20-year Renaissance. During this time, the Morgan family is also commemorating the twentieth anniversary of Dr. Earl S. Richardson’s tenure as president of the University.

“Morgan has truly become a story of transformation over the past two decades,” says Morgan President Earl S. Richardson. “From the quality of our programs, our faculty and students to the improvements on our campus, in terms of new and renovated facilities, this is in many ways not the same university that it was when I arrived twenty years ago.”

Since 1984, Morgan has enhanced its degree program offerings, with almost ten new undergraduate programs, three new master’s degree programs and ten new doctoral programs. And, at the same time, student enrollment increased more than 76 percent over the past twenty years, while average SAT scores have improved by over 150 points. In 1984, the University’s faculty profile showed about 50 percent with terminal degrees. That number is now above 70 percent. Also, as Dr. Richardson has pointed out on numerous occasions, Morgan’s learning and living facilities on campus have undergone a more than $200 million revitalization, with support from state government and other funding partnerships. Four new buildings, worth at least $160 million, are currently under construction, including a new library, student life center and a communications center.

“Morgan State University has become a shining leader in higher education, both in Maryland and nationally,” according to Maryland U. S. Senator Paul Sarbanes. “This remarkable turnaround is attributable to a revival at virtually every level…and it is to me no coincidence that this Renaissance has coincided with the extraordinary leadership and direction of …Dr. Earl S. Richardson.”

“Dr. Richardson has demonstrated that he understands what a university must do to meet 21 st century challenges,” says Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

The celebration begins on Thursday, April 7, 2005 and continues for several days with a series of events that will culminate on the evening of Wednesday, April 13 th with a commemorative banquet at Martin’s West. The Renaissance Banquet is an event not only to celebrate the Morgan milestones of the past twenty years, but also to raise funds for the establishment of the Earl S. Richardson Endowed Scholarship Fund.

The Morgan Renaissance Banquet will be held on Wednesday, April 13 th beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Martin’s West. For ticket information, call 443.885.3080.

For more information on the Earl S. Richardson Endowed Scholarship Fund, the twenty-year Morgan Renaissance or the twenty-year presidency of Dr. Earl S. Richardson, contact Clinton R. Coleman in the Office of Public Relations and Communications at 443.885.3256.

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a coeducational institution offering more than 60 academic programs leading to bachelor’s degrees as well as programs at the master’s and doctoral levels. As Maryland’s public urban university, Morgan serves a multi-ethnic and multi-racial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information on Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.