Morehouse College President David A. Thomas to Retire After 2024-25 Academic Year

David A. Thomas, president of Morehouse College for the past seven years, has announced his retirement at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. Thomas informed the board of trustees of his decision on Friday, stating he would remain in office through June 2025 as he emphasized that the choice to step down was his own.

Thomas’s departure from the prestigious all-male, historically Black college in Atlanta follows his decision to invite President Joe Biden to this year’s commencement, which sparked protests from students, alumni, and faculty. Despite this controversy, Thomas leaves the college in a much stronger position than when he came. More than half of the ambitious $500 million capital campaign funds have been raised, enrollment is on the rise, and plans for new buildings are being finalized.

“Morehouse is in a very strong position and that is the time for leadership transitions. Not when it’s in crisis,” Thomas said. Noting his personal reasons for his retirement, Thomas said he will be turning 69 in 2025 and has other pursuits he wishes to explore while he still has the energy. Thomas described his tenure at Morehouse as “challenging and fulfilling.”

Thomas, who had considered retiring last May, decided to stay on to achieve further goals. One of the highlights of his presidency was during his second commencement, when billionaire philanthropist Robert F. Smith pledged to forgive the student debt of the entire graduating class, a gift estimated to be worth up to $40 million. Reflecting on his presidency, Thomas remarked, “I became pretty good at making news.”

Thomas’s retirement coincides with leadership transitions at several other historically Black colleges in Georgia, including Paine College, Albany State University, and Savannah State University.