With the addition of 2,300 incoming freshmen for the fall semester, Morgan State University’s enrollment is set to surpass 10,000 students for the first time in the school’s 157-year history.
Morgan President David Wilson told a gathering of faculty and staff Wednesday a boom in admission that has seen the school add more than 2,500 students to the ranks since 2020 will swell enrollment to 10,400 students by October.
“Morgan has become a national and international destination for students,” said Wilson, emphasizing the role of faculty and staff in creating an environment where students feel a sense of belonging.
When the university makes its report to the Maryland Higher Education Commission, Morgan will join North Carolina A&T, Howard University and Florida A&M as the only HBCUs with over $10,000 students.
In an 80-minute address, Wilson credited the university’s growth to its innovative academic programs, vibrant social media presence, and the strong sense of community fostered on the campus.
Housing developments
To accommodate the growing student population, the university is expanding its housing options. The Enolia, a new residence hall located in the 4500 block of Harford Road, is set to open in the fall of 2025, providing 473 beds, minutes away from campus.
The new residence hall named in honor of civil rights pioneer Enolia Pettigen McMillan, will help ease current housing constraints and enhance campus experience, Wilson said.
To avoid housing students in hotels this semester, the university has added a new building to the campus and renovated existing facilities.
Legacy Hall, the building adjacent to Thurgood Marshall Hall, will house new, returning, and transferring students. The residential hall opening this fall offers several floorplans including singles, semi-suite doubles, double rooms, and apartment style units. The building features modern amenities and stunning views of downtown Baltimore.
After 18 months of renovations, Baldwin and Cummings halls will reopen this fall, showcasing modern interior amenities while preserving the historic exterior of the buildings.
The renovations reflect Morgan’s commitment to providing “state-of-the-art” buildings that support student well-being and academic excellence, Wilson said.
New facilities and future buildings
The Health and Human Services Building, a significant addition to the university’s campus, opening this fall, will primarily be used by the School of Social Work and the School of Community Health and Policy.
The school received a 10-year accreditation for its nursing program and achieved a notable 90% pass rate for takers of the National Licensure Examination in the past year.
Wilson highlighted the building for its advanced, eco-friendly design. The building features a rooftop with immense views extending to the area where the Key Bridge stood as well as downtown Baltimore. The president encouraged faculty and staff to enjoy the building’s relaxing spaces, noting the significant effort that went into its design and functionality.
Looking ahead, Wilson is spearheading plans for a new science building to further enhance the university’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics program (STEM).
Despite challenges with initial funding estimates, Wilson said he remains committed to moving forward with the project. The new facility will aim to support the university’s strong tradition in producing top engineers and scientists, solidifying Morgan’s role as a prominent force in STEM education, the president said.
Successes and promotions
Wilson touted the school’s success in research and innovation, citing a record $88 million in research awards this past year and a ranking among the top 100 universities nationally for patent filings, underscoring its growing impact in the field of research.
Wilson said the university has hired 106 new tenured and tenure-track faculty members over the past three years, bringing the total number of full-time faculty to over 700.
The president cited the promotions of David LaChina to the post of executive vice president for finance and administration and Keisha Campbell as senior associate athletic director. He also welcomed Royce Burnett, who took over as dean of the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management. Burnett, who began July 1, replaces Fikru Boghossian.
Wilson also introduced a new initiative aimed at improving faculty salaries, focusing on addressing disparities and enhancing compensation.
Concerns
Wilson said he envisions the Jenkins Behavioral Science Building as a student innovation center, a collaborative space inspired by successful models from other institutions.
To address declining male enrollment, Wilson said he is exploring ways to boost numbers while maintaining overall student levels, including reinvesting in programs like Morgan’s B.O.S.S. (Building, Outstanding, Student, Success).
In response to parking frustrations caused by ongoing construction, Wilson acknowledged the state’s lack of funding for new parking facilities and proposed temporary solutions such as shuttles to transport people from the new parking area behind the business school to their buildings. He encouraged faculty to contribute additional ideas to improve parking.
