Morehouse College readies for new president

On New Year’s Day, David A. Thomas begins his tenure as president of Morehouse College.

The famed Historically Black College & University, near downtown Atlanta, had a tumultuous 2017. Here’s a timeline:

Jan. 15 - Morehouse announces it will not renew the contract of its president, John S. Wilson Jr., when it expires at the end of June. Several student leaders sue, arguing the college's board of trustees violated its bylaws by not permitting them in the decision-making process.

February - Morehouse kicks off its 150th anniversary celebration.

Feb. 14 - A Fulton County judge rules Morehouse College's board chairman acted legally in January when he excluded student trustees from its vote not to renew Wilson's contract.

April 7 - Morehouse's Board of Trustees announces it has removed Wilson, embattled board chairman Robert Davidson and board leadership, effective immediately. William Taggart is named interim president.

June 8 - Taggart dies. Board member Harold L. Martin Jr. is named interim president.

Oct. 15 - The board hires Thomas, former dean of Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, to become its president.

VIDEO: Previous coverage on this issue

The president will be the first in decades to not be an alum.

About the Author

Eric Stirgus

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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