Governor of the State of Georgia , The Honorable Sonny Purdue, has signed Senate Bill #480 which gives Morris Brown College the ability to offer the Hope Scholarship and the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant to its eligible students. “We are elated about this news because this is a tangible sign that “hope” is more than alive, it is a reality; and this scholarship will enable the hundreds of students who want to attend Morris Brown, in the fall of 2008, to do so – with financial aid,” said Dr. Stan Pritchett, acting president of Morris Brown College.

 

More than 100 alumni, members of the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students and friends of Morris Brown College rallied at the State Capitol in Atlanta to witness the signing of the bill and to show their support for the beginning of the turn-around of this 127 year old institution that lost its accreditation in 2002. Senate Majority Leader Tommy Williams sponsored the legislation with assistance from Senators Valencia Seay, Vincent Fort, Horacena Tate and Kasim Reed. Support for the legislation also came from Georgia State Representatives Al Williams, Calvin Smyre, Wade Starr, House Majority Leader Jerry Keen, Bill Hembree from the House Education Committee, and others.

 

Seated – Governor Sonny Purdue;
On the Governor’s left – right to left – Dr. Stanley Pritchett, acting president of MBC; Dr. Gloria Anderson, Calloway Professor at Morris Brown; GA State Rep. Mable Thomas; Dr. Vivian E. Johnson, faculty representative on the Board of Trustees; and others
On the Governor’s right -- left to right – GA Senator Tommy Williams, Bishop William P. DeVeaux, President of the Morris Brown Board of Trustees; Virgil Hodges, Member of the Board of Trustees; and others
Standing behind the Governor – Rev. Gregory Eason, Sr., Pastor of Big Bethel AME Church and Member of the Board of Trustees; George Hopkins, President of the MBC National Alumni Assn and member of the Board of Trustees; Aaron Weldon, vice president of the MBC Student Government Assn; and others

 

 

Governor Purdue recognized the contributions made to the state of Georgia by Morris Brown graduates and thanked Bishop William DeVeaux, presiding bishop, and the AME Church Sixth District, for keeping the doors of the institution open during this critical time in the history of Morris Brown. “God gives everyone a second chance,” said Governor Purdue, “and we must support this institution and the work they do for Georgia .”

 

The Morris Brown Circle of Friends, which was recently launched by the Board of Trustees and the National Alumni Association, are seeking to engage more advocates and solicit financial support for the college in order to expand the base of constituents and increase annual contributions for programs and initiatives at Morris Brown. “We certainly hope that the action taken by these prominent Georgians, who have displayed their advocacy for the college, will spur other Georgians, and like-minded persons, to support Morris Brown in our efforts to fulfill a need to educate students who want to go to college,” Dr. Pritchett added.

Students interested in more information about Morris Brown College should contact 404-739-1070 or Ms. Toledo Riley, director of admissions at 404-739-1073.

 

 

About Morris Brown College

Morris Brown College was founded in 1881 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church – the only institution of higher education in the State of Georgia that was founded by African Americans. The campus is located near the center of the city of Atlanta and is replete with historic buildings, such as Fountain Hall, dating back to the late 1800’s. During its 127 years of service, Morris Brown has produced outstanding leaders in many diverse fields and is noted for preparing educators. After sustaining critical challenges that caused the institution to lose accreditation in 2002, Morris Brown has remained open and continues to provide a quality education for all of its students. The Board of Trustees of Morris Brown College, along with Dr. Stan Pritchett (acting president of the college) is focused on responsible fiscal control and a revitalization plan to implement strategic programming, regain accreditation, and to restore the institution to prominence.