By Mekhi Abbott
Special to the AFRO
mabbott@afro.com
Generations of Morgan State University students and alumni flooded the historically Black college’s Northeast Baltimore campus on Oct. 5 to celebrate its homecoming. Highlights of the week included a homecoming concert on Oct. 3, a pep rally on Oct. 4 and the parade and football game on Oct. 5.
“My favorite part of homecoming for me is seeing the advancement,” said Tara Carter, a two-time graduate of Morgan State University. “We hear a lot about the big schools, but when you see just how much Morgan has been doing as a top research institution for Maryland, it’s amazing for me to see this.”
“I am big on spending time with friends,” said Carter. “We didn’t even make it to the football game, but I still bought tickets to make sure we are supporting our teams.”
Dr. David Wilson, president of Morgan State, in an Oct. 6 letter sent to the Morgan State community, praised those who made the celebration a time to remember.
“Homecoming 2024 invited our entire community to fully embrace Morgan’s rich and enduring legacy, and I am proud to say we did just that,” said Wilson. “Generations of Morganites converged on our campus, embracing the rites, rituals and traditions that unify us as one family.”
“Of course, the Bears’ victorious football game was the centerpiece of Homecoming. We estimate that more than 25,000 people were on Morgan’s campus…with several thousand tailgating in designated areas,” he continued. “Thanks to our comprehensive security plan and advanced preparation, including a strengthened presence of uniformed officers and security personnel, we were able to effectively manage the challenges posed by the very large crowds.”
Homecoming week for the Morgan State Bears kicked off with a performance by BET Award-nominated artist Sexxy Red on Oct. 3. The following night, Morgan State held a pep rally to highlight all of the varsity teams on campus.
“Morgan has a rich history,” said Kendra Woolridge, a director for the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and owner of a multi award- winning vegan nail polish company, Janet and Jo. “We have the first HBCU collegiate lacrosse team in the nation. It’s stories like that that need to be amplified.”
On the gridiron, the Morgan State Bears (3-3) dominated the Lincoln University Lions, from Pennsylvania, 41-0. Wide receiver Andre Crawley led the way with 134 total yards, six catches and two total touchdowns. He scored one touchdown receiving as well as passing for a 21-yard touchdown. Running back Myles Miree also contributed with two touchdowns himself, both on the ground.
“Homecoming has been great for me. It’s my first homecoming. I am a freshman and I’ve been to the pep rally. I also went to the skate and laser tag night that was on Oct. 3,” said Renee Salter, who is studying psychology.
In efforts to ensure the safety of all attendees, Morgan State administration and leadership made significant security enhancements for the 2024 homecoming activities, including over 3,100 camera views for surveillance purposes, AI-supported weapon detection and plate-reading technology. On Oct. 5, the “official Homecoming day,” all campus buildings and dorms closed at 3 p.m. and the campus officially closed at 7 p.m.
While the security measures were bolstered, dirt bikers descended on the area after the game concluded, further complicating traffic when they caused an accident. And Baltimore Police Department officers responded to a shooting that took place around midnight, after all official homecoming activities were finished.
Wilson acknowledged the incidents in his letter, stating that “illegal dirt bike riders—unaffiliated with Morgan—engaged in reckless behavior along Hillen Road and E. Cold Spring Lane, leading to a serious traffic accident.”
The university president said that the “off-campus shooting” was “unrelated to Morgan.”
“While these events are deeply disappointing, I want to be clear: they have no connection to our university other than their proximity,” he wrote. “Rest assured, I have been in contact with Mayor Scott, and members of my team have been in constant communication with the Baltimore Police Department.”
“Today, I am pleased to report that there were NO violent incidents on campus throughout the week. I want to extend my sincere thanks to Chief Lance Hatcher, the MSUPD, and all the security personnel, for their exceptional work in executing the Homecoming Security Plan and ensuring campus safety.”
Overall, the experience was an overwhelmingly positive event– one for the history books. For some Morgan State graduates, the weekend represented their first time back in Baltimore for a homecoming in several years.
Silver Spring, Md. native, Shantá Reid, now a paralegal in Washington, D.C., was proud to make her 2024 return to her alma mater.
“This is my first homecoming since 2019,” she said.
The event attracts thousands from near and far each year, including elected officials, residents from the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area and families like Kemar Scarlett (top, left), Alaina Scarlett, Kamaya Scarlett and Analicia Archibald. AFRO Photo / Stephen Hopkins The Morgan State University band, known internationally as the Magnificent Marching Machine, entertains the crowd. Former members of the Morgan State University cheer team prove they still have the moves. Mackenzie Muth (right) and Nicole Muth enjoy the festivities Thousands descend on the Morgan State University campus for Homecoming 2024. Shalonda and Phillip Stokes show their Morgan State pride. Attendees from near and far show up for the homecoming game on Oct. 5 at Morgan State University..
This article was updated on Oct. 13.