New Leadership Reassures Morehouse College’s Community.
This past Friday, the Morehouse College Board of Trustees voted to implement new leadership at the college. They terminated the contract of John S. Wilson and appointed William “Bill” Taggart as the interim president of the college. Additionally, the officers of the Board stepped down and new officers were elected. Willie Woods ’85 will serve as the new Chairman of the Board.
Many students, especially upperclassmen, were disgruntled by the news. The college’s community began asking questions about the success of commencement exercises, the reason’s for Wilson’s departure, and for more information on the new president.
Students even expressed the feeling that “Mother Morehouse”, as the college is affectionately known, was slowly coming to a complete end.
In an effort to address some of these concerns, Taggart addressed students during the weekly assembly, called Crown Forum, that Morehouse hosts during his first week in office. During the address, the interim president focused on his ties to the college and relationships with Morehouse alumni who have played a significant role in his life.
“I have a great, natural affinity to Morehouse,” said Taggart, who graduated from Howard University. “I may not be a Morehouse man by conferred degree, but I am one in spirit.”
Taggart also said that one of his goals was to “unite” the campus family and continue the ongoing mission of the college to “develop young men.” Taggart has already started this process by engaging with faculty and staff through community listening sessions. He plans to conduct more meetings with students and alumni soon and throughout his tenure as interim president.
Additionally, Taggart wants the college’s upcoming commencement to be “the best commencement that the world has ever seen.”
In line with the interim President, the faculty, students, and alumni of the College seem to be ready to move forward and focus on rebuilding.
Taggart highlighted that some alumni within the Atlanta area gave him contributions for the college after his address at Crown Forum.
“They are reengaging. They are engaged with the purpose of giving back to the institution at hand.”
Taggart also alluded to the fact that he believes they are giving back because they believe in the new leadership and their vision for unity.
Ron Thomas, a professor of English and faculty representative to the Board of Trustees, stated that the faculty was satisfied with the last Friday actions because it led to conversations that would foster a better relationship between members of the Board of Trustees and the college’s faculty.
“Well, I think, in terms of the faculty, the end point was exactly what the faculty wanted it to be,” said Thomas. “The faculty was upset that our faculty representatives to the Board and also the student representatives to the Board were not included in the discussion in January that resulted in President Wilson’s contract not being renewed. From that point on, the faculty was pushing to have a meeting with the Board and the Board Chair to discuss why that happened and was also hopeful that would not be repeated.”
Further, Thomas expressed that faculty members were also pleased with the announcement that new bylaws for the Board of Trustees were being proposed that would allow for faculty and student representatives to be present for all discussion although there would be limitations to voting due to possible conflicts of interest that may arise.
“I think the faculty will be pleased that new people are leading the Board,” said Thomas.
Students are also ready to move on. They are optimistic about what their interim president can do and are hopeful that he can deliver on promises that he has already made.
“I’m reassured,” said Kendall Adams, a senior Cinema, Television, and Emerging Media Studies (CTEMS) major at Morehouse College. “I feel confident about the direction. I think change is good. I think this was necessary for Morehouse to continue to grow, be relevant, and survive in the 21st century. I am excited about Morehouse’s future. I am confident about the interim president and Board Chair’s leadership.”
Born in Baltimore, M.D., Braxton Gregory Becoats is a senior History major and English minor at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He has held various leadership roles on campus, such as a Senator in the Student Government Association, Social Justice Chairman in the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel, and Chairman of the Student Welfare and Concerns and Constitution and Bylaws Committees in the Student Government Association.
