Morgan State University - Promethean Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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 tiALTlMORE. MD 2125» A SOPER LIBRARY HISTORY 3 2058 00642 7397 Morgan’s history began in 1867. The Centenary Biblical Institute (1867-1890), the first epoch, was established by the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church to train young Black men as ministers for their congregations. The Centenary Biblical Institute ivas governed by a five-member board of trustees composed primarily of ministers. Morgan College (1890-1939), the second important phase in the institution’s develop- ment, signaled a broadening of the mission to educate men and women for careers other than the ministry. With the changing of the name to Morgan College, the mission be- came “to prepare Black persons of good moral standing for careers in public school teaching and other careers.’’ Morgan College remained private and church-controlled, but its governing board was expanded to include prominent citizens in the community. Morgan State College (1939-1975) was created in 1939 when the institution was pur- chased from the Methodist Episcopal Church by the State of Maryland. As a state-sup- ported college, governance passed to an independent board of trustees (from 1939-1967) and to the State Board of Trustees of State College (from 1967 to 1975). This third phase of development saw Morgan’s mission expand from teacher training to a bal- anced liberal arts education. Morgan State University (1975-present) is the fourth stage in the institution’s develop- ment. In its transition from being a predominately Negro College to becoming a multi- racial university, Morgan retains its historical commitment to train Black students in the liberal arts, selected professions, and graduate study. Now one of three doctoral degree granting institutions in the state, Morgan has become Maryland’s first urban- oriented university. i