Morehouse College’s top man will hang up his hat at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year.
David A. Thomas, 69, announced his retirement in a statement released by the college late Friday afternoon. A veteran educator with more than 30 years of experience, Thomas was selected as Morehouse’s 12th president in 2018. His last day on the job will be June 25, 2025.
Morehouse described Thomas’ tenure as “record-breaking.”
Thomas’ “innovative and impactful work has garnered international attention and partnerships with various notable institutions, corporations, and individuals; applications from high-achieving students have soared to an all-time high,” the statement said.
Thomas was credited with raising more funds than any president in Morehouse’s 157-year history, including $240 million, or nearly half, of an ambitious $500 million capital campaign. Thomas wrote that, from day one, serving has been his honor.
“I promised to do the absolute best I could for Morehouse, and I have since risen each day dedicated to delivering on that promise,” he said.
“The best moment for a leadership transition is when an institution is strong, and the building blocks are in place to achieve its vision. I believe that time is now, and new leadership can bring fresh eyes, energy, and perspective to address challenges and discover new opportunities.”
Despite his track record, though, Thomas was also no stranger to scrutiny. Capital B Atlanta reported earlier this year when Thomas faced fierce criticism on the college’s controversial invitation to President Joe Biden to be the 2024 commencement keynote speaker. Many students opposed Biden’s appearance over his support of Israel in its war with Hamas, which has left tens of thousands of civilians dead in the Gaza Strip.
Thomas didn’t rescind the invitation, and Biden spoke. Some students and even faculty staged small protests but didn’t disrupt the commencement ceremony.
“We have a platform at Morehouse that the world pays attention to, and we call people to that platform who are important people in the world,” he said. “The president of the United States is one of those people.”
Prior to Morehouse, Thomas held prominent roles at Harvard Business School and Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. He holds a doctorate and Master of Philosophy degree from Yale University, among other degrees.
Morehouse said it has launched a national search for its 13th president that will be led by Board of Trustees member Fred Humphries. The college said it is currently working to create a committee dedicated to the search.
