Robert M. Franklin Lays Out His Vision for the Future of Morehouse College

Recently, President Robert M. Franklin announced his goals for improving the educational experience at Morehouse College, one of the nation’s most prestigious historically black educational institutions. Dr. Franklin wants to raise the graduation rate at Morehouse College to 80 percent. He would like to see two thirds of Morehouse graduates go on to earn advanced degrees. And he wants the college to initiate graduate programs of its own. Franklin also stated that he may consider raising enrollment from 2,400 to as many as 3,500 students. He also announced plans to raise $125 million to help him achieve his goals. This would double the college’s endowment.

Dr. Franklin has been president of Morehouse College since 2007. Previously he was the Presidential Distinguished Professor of Social Ethics at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. A 1975 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College with a bachelor’s degree in political science and religion, Dr. Franklin earned a master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School and a Ph.D. in ethics and society, religion and the social sciences from the University of Chicago Divinity School.

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