CHAPTER HISTORY
The Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Alumni Chapter of the Morgan State Alumni Association was chartered in 1948 by 12 enthusiastic local graduates of Morgan State College. The chapter’s membership expanded rapidly as a result of having dedicated members in early leadership positions and members who were equally dedicated to supporting Morgan’s mission.
The chapter and its members have been a major supporter of the university and the national alumni association by making contributions to the annual Alumni Day Awards Luncheon, homecoming activities, the annual Homecoming Presidential Gala, the Morgan Choir, Morgan Parents Club and athletic teams.
The chapter established a $10,000 endowed scholarship fund named after one of the chapters founding members Vestah W. Blye in 2005. Since the creation of the scholarship, hundreds of students from the DC Metropolitan Area have applied for and been awarded scholarships to attend Morgan. The chapter has also provided emergency financial assistance to students to cover graduation expense shortfalls, purchase books and tuition needs in order to stay in school. Over the years the main source for funding the scholarship has been revenue from the chapters annual crab feast and Morgan Choir concerts. Through the years many chapter members have established individual or family endowed scholarships and contributed individually to the chapter’s scholarship fund. Several of our chapter members are active class agents for their class and contribute to the class activities. Any contributions or cash gifts that the chapter receives is automatically designated for the Vestah Blye Scholarship account. In addition, the chapter has historically purchased tickets or in some way made financial contributions to the activities and events sponsored by other Morgan State Alumni chapters to support their scholarship initiatives. The chapter donated funds to the University Chapel Restoration project and the Chapels Book Scholarship Fund.
There are many life members in the MSU Alumni Association.
Chapter Highlights
1948
Chapter founded by 12 Morgan Graduates
1980
National Alumnus of the Year Dr. Cecil B. Harris
1982
Chapter of the Year Award
National Alumnus of the Year, Brigadier General George M. Brooks
1991
National Alumnus of the Year, Shirley H. Relf
1993
National Alumnus of the Year, Harold D. Blackwell, SR.
1994
National Alumnus of the Year, Lillian B. Hardy
2006
Chapter of the Year Award
2010
National Alumnus of the Year, Lt. Col. Lawrence K. Montgomery Sr.
2011
National Alumnus of the Year, General William “Kip” Ward
2013
Recipient of the Recruitment Excellence Award
2014
Chapter of the Year Award
2015
Recipient of the Recruitment Excellence Award
2016
National Alumnus of the Year Jacqueline Lawson
Outstanding Alumni Award Dr. James I Reese II
(Health Research)
Outstanding Alumni Award Solomon Howard
(Achievement in Opera)
Chapter Award for Recruitment Excellence
Alumni Recruiter of the Year Art Lawson
2017
Co-Chapter of the Year
2018
Open House Participation Award
Student Recruiter Award (Chapter)
Outstanding Student Recruiter of the Year
2019
National Alumnus of the Year Mary Elaine Proctor Blackwell
