1939 – Morgan State College Becomes a Public Institution

On November 20, 1939, Morgan State College officially became a public institution when the state of Maryland purchased it to provide more opportunities for African Americans in higher education. Now known as Morgan State University, it is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) located in Baltimore, Maryland.

Originally founded in 1867 as the Centenary Biblical Institute, the school was renamed Morgan College in 1890 in honor of Reverend Lyttleton Morgan, the first chairman of its Board of Trustees. It became Morgan State College in 1939, and finally gained university status in 1975.

Today, Morgan State is Maryland’s designated public urban university and the largest HBCU in the state, continuing its legacy of academic excellence and empowerment.