Morehouse Chooses Dr. David A. Thomas As 12th President

Thomas will assume office on Jan. 1. He currently serves as a business professor at Harvard Business School. He is the former dean of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. Thomas earned his undergraduate degree at Yale. He will be the first non-Morehouse grad to serve as president.

“What draws me to Morehouse is that I see a connection between what I value and what this college has always represented – the mission to develop men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service, and to be stewards of Black culture and community,” Thomas said in a recent statement. “There is no place like Morehouse on the planet.”
Thomas takes the helm at a time when many Historically Black Colleges and Universities are facing numerous challenges. Thomas, a Kansas City native said he has long been impressed with Morehouse and even applied but went to Yale.

“I went to Yale, but I always had Morehouse as my icon for producing the kind of men I respected and admired in my youth,” Thomas said in a recent interview in the Atlanta Business Chronicle. “That continues to be true when you look at the amazing men Morehouse has produced – amazing men.”

Thomas’ appointment ends a six-month period of leadership transition at the college that began in April. The presidential search team reviewed the profiles of more than 100 executives for the role, including several sitting college presidents.

“Dr. Thomas is a nationally respected business educator and visionary leader with a support network that will bring transformative change to Morehouse College,” said Willie Woods ’85, board chair. “Having David at Morehouse will raise the profile of our world-class institution and lead to partnerships that will allow Morehouse to be more competitive for top students, expand our academic programs, improve our facilities, and provide more signature opportunities for leadership that make Morehouse Men among the most sought-after graduates in the country.”

Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D. in organizational behavior from Yale University. He also holds a master’s degree in organizational psychology from Columbia University.