The History of Morehouse College

By Karcheik Sims Alvarado

Published November 15, 2024
Last Updated December 3, 2024

Morehouse College is “a private historically black liberal arts college for men.” It emphasizes the intellectual and character development of its students and, as necessary, prioritizes teaching the history and culture of black people.

In 1867, Morehouse, then called the Augusta Institute, was founded by the American Baptist Home Mission Society and Augusta residents William J. White and Richard C. Coulter (a freedman). In 1879, the school moved to Atlanta, renaming itself the Atlanta Baptist Seminary and eight years later changing its name to the Atlanta Baptist College. During this period, the institution acquired 14 acres in the Atlanta West End neighborhood.

In 1913, the college was renamed Morehouse College after Henry L. Morehouse, the corresponding secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society. Today, it has over 2,200 students throughout the United States and the world.

According to the United Negro College Fund, Morehouse’s total economic impact is $188M for its local and regional economies, employment impact is 1,580 jobs, and total lifetime earnings for graduates is $932M.

Morehouse School of Medicine

Morehouse School of Medicine exists to “improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities, increase the diversity of the health professional and scientific workforce, and address primary health care through programs in education, research, and service.”

Founded in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) was founded as a Medical Education Program at Morehouse College by former United States Surgeon General Dr. Louis Sullivan. By 1981, The Family Medicine Residency Program was launched and chartered as an independent medical institution. MSM is recognized as one of the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians and one of the top medical schools in the United States.

According to the United Negro College Fund, Morehouse School of Medicine’s total economic impact is $286M for its local and regional economies, employment impact is 2,372 jobs, and total lifetime earnings for graduates is $268M.

Read more from a student’s perspective in this Guide to Morehouse College.

Whether in the classroom, museum or in the field, Dr. Karcheick Sims Alvarado has sought to document and teach the African-American odyssey through various mediums.