New Morehouse leader vows not to "keep the status quo"

Morehouse College’s interim president said Thursday he’ll be no seat-warmer.

Harold Martin Jr. told reporters he’ll work with its board of trustees, administrators, students and alumni on ways to increase enrollment and improve fundraising.

“We’re not going to keep the status quo,” Martin said.

Martin, the college's 2002 valedictorian and its recent board secretary, said in a separate interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he wants to develop a system to better engage Morehouse's 18,000 alumni. Some alumni complained during the last school year that Morehouse trustees weren't providing enough information about personnel decisions and other actions.

Martin, who has worked as a consultant and in the private sector on efforts to improve education at Morehouse and other higher education institutions, was named interim president Monday. The college terminated the contract of its last full-time president, John S. Wilson, in April. Morehouse named William "Bill" Taggart interim president that month, but he died unexpectedly on June 8.

Board chairman Willie Woods said the college is continuing its search for a permanent president, but is “not going to rush it. We’re going to take our time to find the best person.”

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Credit: Courtesy of Councilwoman Helen Willis