The History of Morehouse College Colors: Maroon and White

Morehouse College, a distinguished private, all-male, liberal arts, historically African American college in Atlanta, Georgia, has a rich legacy dating back to its founding in 1867. Among the many symbols that represent the college's identity, the colors maroon and white hold a place of particular significance. This article explores the history and meaning behind these colors, as well as the broader context of Morehouse College's traditions and achievements.

The Origins of Morehouse College

Morehouse College was founded as the Augusta Institute on February 14, 1867, at Springfield Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia. The institution was established by the Rev. William Jefferson White, with the Rev. Richard C. Coulter and the Rev. Edmund Turney, with the primary purpose of preparing Black men for ministry and teaching. Springfield Baptist Church, founded in 1787, holds the distinction of being the oldest independent African American church in the United States.

Initially known as the Augusta Institute, the institution underwent several transformations, including a move to Atlanta in 1879 and a name change to the Atlanta Baptist Seminary. In 1885, the seminary relocated to its current site in Atlanta’s West End community, thanks to a land donation from John D. Rockefeller. In 1897, the institution became Atlanta Baptist College, marking a new era of expanded academic offerings. Finally, in 1913, it was renamed Morehouse College in honor of Henry L. Morehouse, a prominent figure in the American Baptist Home Mission Society.

The Adoption of Maroon and White

The selection of maroon and white as Morehouse College's official colors is attributed to Dr. Samuel H. Archer, the fifth president of the college, who served from 1931 to 1937. Archer, an alumnus of Colgate University, chose these colors to mirror those of his alma mater. These colors first appeared in 1931 after Archer became president.

The maroon color code for the Morehouse Maroon Tigers logo is Pantone: PMS 202 C, Hex Color: #8B2433, RGB: (139, 36, 51), CMYK: (29, 95, 74, 29).

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The Maroon Tiger: A Voice of Student Life

The Maroon Tiger, Morehouse College’s weekly student-run newspaper, has been an integral part of the college's history since its inception in 1898 as The Athenaeum. Renamed The Maroon Tiger in 1925, the publication evolved into a monthly magazine that highlighted student life and campus activities, encompassing dramatic arts, music, and sports. It also served as a platform for poetry, fiction, and opinion pieces.

Notable contributors to The Maroon Tiger include American poet and writer Tom Dent, who attended Morehouse from 1948 to 1952, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The Amistad Research Center’s School Newspaper Collection preserves nine issues of The Maroon Tiger dating from 1926 to 1950, offering valuable insights into the college's history and culture.

The Maroon Tiger is notable for the richness of the opinion pieces contained within. Readers of the publication will find opinion pieces covering everything from politics and race relations, to the virtues of government versus big business, to religion and the influence of scientific thought.

Issues from the 1930s of The Maroon Tiger note the lack of student organizing around domestic political and social issues. This foreign and antiwar focus of student activity is often focused on “The New Germany” and the youth movements in Germany, as well as China, and Russia.

Morehouse College: A Legacy of Excellence

Morehouse College has consistently produced extraordinary leaders, visionaries, and pillars of the community. From its humble beginnings in a church basement, the college has established a legacy of excellence that continues to strengthen with each passing year. Famous graduates like Martin Luther King Jr. and Spike Lee are joined by five Rhodes scholars as well as congressmen, business titans, college presidents, and many more who proudly represent the Morehouse ideals.

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Throughout its history, Morehouse College has achieved numerous milestones, including:

Full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1957.
Establishment of a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in 1968.
Accreditation of the Division of Business and Economics by the American Association of Schools and Colleges of Business (AACSB).

Morehouse is the nation’s top producer of Black males who continue their education and receive doctorates. The National Science Foundation also ranked Morehouse as the No. 1 producer of Black men who receive doctorates in education, life and physical sciences, math and computer sciences, psychology and social sciences, as well as humanities and the arts.

A Commitment to Academic Excellence and Leadership Development

Morehouse College is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, dedicated faculty, and commitment to intellectual growth. The college offers more than 30 majors and the Howard Thurman Honors Program, a selective academic program for students of outstanding intellectual ability, high motivation, and broad interests.

At Morehouse, leadership isn't just taught-it's ingrained in the culture. The college fosters a supportive community and provides unparalleled networking opportunities for students through its global network of accomplished alumni. Morehouse College is the only historically Black college for men, with a rich and unique history of delivering an exceptional educational experience that meets the intellectual, moral, and social needs of students representing more than 35 states and 17 countries.

Key Figures in Morehouse College History

Throughout its history, Morehouse College has been shaped by the leadership of visionary presidents, including:

The Rev. Joseph T. Robert (1871-1884)
Samuel T. Graves (1885-?)
George Sale (1890-1906)
John Hope (1906-?)
Samuel H. Archer (1931-1937)
Benjamin Mays (1940-?)
Hugh M. Gloster (1967-?)
Leroy Keith Jr. (1987-?)
Walter E. Massey (1995-?)
Robert Michael Franklin Jr. (2007-?)
John Silvanus Wilson Jr. (2013-?)
David A. Thomas (2018-Present)

These leaders have guided the college through periods of growth, change, and achievement, solidifying its position as a leading institution of higher education for African American men.

Morehouse College in the 21st Century

Morehouse College continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of its students and the world. In recent years, the college has:

Partnered with Microsoft and UPS Foundation to provide computers to each member of the incoming Fall 2020 class.
Announced the AUCC Data Sciences Initiative to help pave the way for students to enter these career paths.
Raised more than $107 million in a record-breaking fiscal year, including philanthropist Robert F. Smith paying off the student loans of the Class of 2019.
Began admitting transgender men for the first time in the year 2020.

The college's commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, and social justice remains unwavering, ensuring that Morehouse College will continue to produce impactful leaders for generations to come.

Campus Landmarks and Facilities

Morehouse College's campus is home to a variety of notable landmarks and facilities, including:

Archer Hall: Houses the college's recreational facilities, such as its gymnasium, swimming pool, and game room.
B. T. Harvey Stadium/Edwin Moses Track: A 9,000-seat stadium named after the only alumnus to win an Olympic gold medal.
Ray Charles Performing Arts Center and Aretha Robinson Music Academic Building: A 76,000-square-foot facility dedicated to the performing arts.
Franklin L. Forbes Arena: A 5,700-seat arena that serves as the main gymnasium for the college's basketball team.
Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel/Gloster Hall: Built in 1978 as the new auditorium and administration building for Morehouse College.
Walter E. Massey Leadership Center: Houses the Business Administration and Economics departments, the Bonner Office of Community Service, and other offices.

These facilities provide students with a rich and supportive learning environment, fostering their intellectual, personal, and professional growth.

The Morehouse Mystique

During the presidency of Mays, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Bates College and the University of Chicago, the number of faculty members grew, and those holding doctoral degrees increased from two to 34 out of 65 teachers. Mays created what is known as the Morehouse Mystique. This “Morehouse Mystique” included five tenets all students were expected to uphold; (1) academic excellence, (2) the elocutionary arts, (3) high moral values, (4) social commitment, (5) belief of higher power.

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