Leading The Renaissance
Founders Week Spotlight Shines on the Inauguration of
President Robert Michael Franklin Jr. ‘75

In his book, “Crisis in The Village: Restoring Hope in African American Communities,” President Robert Michael Franklin Jr. ’75 says every college-educated adult who has benefited from the public’s investment in them should accept the moral obligation to provide leadership and service.

That idea can be seen as the goal for the Men of Morehouse who are working to become those Franklin sees as Renaissance men.

“We are calling for the Renaissance of all men, especially men of color,” Franklin said in a speech at the beginning of the school year.  “Morehouse will be on the front line of that movement.  You, gentlemen, have the opportunity to inject new energy and hope into the communities or villages that desperately await a Renaissance.”

That Renaissance will be led by Franklin, who will be inaugurated Feb. 15 as the College’s tenth president.  The historic event takes place at 10 a.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel.

“We’ve had excellent leadership in past administrations of the college,” said Julius Cole ’64, president and CEO of Africare based in Washington, D.C. and a member of the board of directors for the Andrew Young Center for International Affairs. “But  Dr. Franklin comes at a critical time to bring a new level of achievement at the college.  I think he will provide a new leadership based on a new philosophy of where this institution goes in the 21st century.”