State of Morehouse College address...

Well in addition to seeing Morehouse graduates seek advanced degrees, raise the graduation rate to 80%, and raise $125 million according to a press release:

Franklin said international financial research firms have downgraded Morehouse’s financial outlook from “stable” to “negative” because of the tough fundraising climate and drops in endowment and enrollment.

The College’s six-year, $125-million capital campaign will address fundraising and endowment concerns, though Morehouse’s endowment (which is $120 million) is one of only five HBCUs with more than $100 million.

Franklin also said the campaign, along with increased alumni giving, will allow the College to increase the number of faculty-endowed chairs and raise the compensation level for faculty and staff.

The President said within the campaign period he wanted to build a new student center, see the Morehouse Male Initiative achieve national stature and perhaps start a new master’s degree program in leadership studies.

In the immediate future, Franklin told alumni that the College’s size and character would be the subject of conversations among members of the Board of Trustees. They will talk about whether the College should remain a liberal arts institution or focus on pre-professional programs.

They also will consider whether the student body should remain around 2,400 or be increased to as many as 3,500.

Franklin challenged alumni to be part of the “futuring” of Morehouse. “This is what alums do at great colleges,” he said.

You know I can't say I have a pulse on the higher education system in this country. Morehouse should remain an institution that focuses on liberal arts. I could like the idea of increasing the student body however should the school admit women to the college. Also could Morehouse aggressively recruit more students not only black students but students of different races to the college?

What types of pre-professional programs Morehouse should offer? Should the college consider gearing their students towards teaching skills that well help them be employed? Could this be done without sacrificing academics?

And I also wonder what else Morehouse has in mind as far as character.