By Morgan State
BALTIMORE— An unseasonably warm, rainy December morning did little to dampen the celebratory spirit of the families, friends and guests who gathered for Morgan State University’s 12th Annual Fall Commencement Exercises, held on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, inside the Talmadge L. Hill Field House. In what is believed to be the largest fall graduating class in the University’s history, 600 graduates reveled in the achievement of earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, officially joining the ranks of alumni from Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University.
The milestone occasion was further elevated by the presence of U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael G. Warnock, senior pastor of Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and the first African American elected to represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate, who delivered the keynote address. Senator Warnock was joined by Dean Emeritus DeWayne Wickham, founding dean of Morgan’s School of Global Journalism and Communication (SGJC), as both were conferred honorary doctoral degrees in recognition of their enduring commitments to public service, social justice, and uplifting underserved communities. Sen. Warnock was bestowed with an Honorary Doctor of Public Service, and Dean Emeritus Wickham received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
Academic Achievement and Research Momentum
The Fall Class of 2025 exemplified Morgan’s accelerating academic and research trajectory. Among the 600 graduates were 34 doctoral degree recipients, contributing to a combined total of 94 doctorates awarded by the University in 2025 when paired with the 60 conferred during the spring commencement—a milestone that further solidifies Morgan’s progress toward achieving the coveted R1 “very high research activity” classification in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
The ceremony also recognized 134 master’s degree recipients, representing a 42.5% increase over the previous fall and the largest master’s cohort awarded during Morgan’s 12-year history of fall commencement exercises. Additionally, 108 graduates earned Latin Honors, including Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude distinctions, underscoring the academic excellence of the class.
Be the Light: A Call to Purpose
Delivering his keynote address, Senator Warnock challenged graduates to embrace courage, service, and moral clarity as they step into a world marked by complexity and opportunity.
“…We need you, 2025 graduates…we need the spirit, the social consciousness, the perspective…young people have a way of shaking up the world. Pushing us to think outside of the box,” offered Warnock. “Young people have a lowered tolerance for contradictions between our ideals and what we have achieved, and we need that vision…we need the energy and the spirit of young people.”
“…That’s why we got to do something to make sure that young people all across this country…have a path, because America can't win unless it's children can win, we need everybody. And, I want America to win…and the only way America can win is if every child has a chance. That's the legacy and the commitment of a place like Morgan State University.”
Invoking the words of a celebrated minister and pioneer of the civil rights movement and his inspiring poem, “I’ve Only Just a Minute,” Sen. Warnock emboldened Morgan’s class of 2025 to seize the great opportunity that awaits. “Benjamin Elijah Mays used to say that we make our living by what we get. But we make our life by what we give.”
“If I have only a minute…60 seconds in it. Forced upon me, can’t refuse it, didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it. But it’s up to me to use it. So, make sure that your minute counts.”
Warnock passionately challenged graduates to be transformative, make a difference and aspire to build legacies beyond themselves and their chosen trades, while also cautioning the attentive class to persevere and be the light despite the challenges that may impede their progress.
“Do something more with your degree than just make a living…make a life. Decide today…what will be your life’s project, and make sure your life’s project is larger than your life span. If your life’s project can be accomplished in your lifespan, you're thinking too small.”
Presidential Awards, Call to Service and Student Voices
Five graduates were honored with Presidential Awards for their exceptional contributions to leadership and creativity. Recipients of the President’s Second Mile Award included Amon Anderson (B.S., Information Systems), Schuyler Cameron (B.S., Health Education), and Emmanuel O. Fadipe (Master’s in Project Management). The President’s Award for Exceptional Creative Achievement was presented to Tavon Thomasson (B.S., Multimedia Journalism) and Kofi Simmons (B.S., Interdisciplinary Global Perspectives and Practices)
Lieutenant Colonel Damon N. Knauss, professor and department chair of Military Science at Morgan, recognized the two bachelor’s degree candidates who were commissioned on Thursday as U.S. Army second lieutenants after completing Morgan’s Bear Battalion ROTC program: Christian Gatlin (B.S., Business Administration) and Daylan Stubblefield (B.A., Political Science).
For many graduates, the day represented both culmination and beginning. Laila Amin (B.S. Industrial Engineering) offered how today’s event embodied her Morgan experience.
“Attending Morgan has truly felt like being part of a family. I’m incredibly grateful for my experience here and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve made lifelong friendships and had the opportunity to thrive in one of the nation’s top engineering programs at an HBCU.”
Another graduate, Andrea Poku (B.S. Architecture and Environmental Design) reflected on perseverance: "My four years at Morgan have been an incredible journey. I came here right after high school, and it truly has been a rollercoaster of experiences. If I had chosen a different school, I wouldn’t have had the same opportunities that Morgan has provided. With the connections I've made at Morgan, I feel confident that I'll be able to advance my career and further my education in the direction I envision."
