By Mekhi Abbott
Special to the AFRO
mabbott@afro.com
At Morgan State University, homecoming weekend is about much more than festivities and the football game. The tradition gives alumni and current students the opportunity to return to campus where the roots of lifelong friendships were planted, unforgettable memories were made and the shared sense of pride and purpose exudes throughout the historically Black university that sits in northeast Baltimore.
With events scheduled throughout the week both on and off campus, Morgan State kicked off their 2025 homecoming celebration with a concert on Oct. 8 at Hill Field House headlined by singer Mariah the Scientist and hip-hop artist NoCap. The following day, Morgan State hosted the “Live the Legacy: MSU Homecoming Kickoff” at the Live! Casino and Hotel in Maryland. The event included live entertainment and exclusive giveaways.
“Homecoming is a wonderful opportunity for students and alumni to give back just by our presence. I have met so many wonderful people at Morgan who gave me the respect that is due,” said Angeline Hall-Watts, a published author and 1969 graduate of Morgan State University. “I never thought of myself as an ‘O.G’, but I guess that makes me one.”
Sophomore honors student Mickel-George Sodipo, who is “heavily involved on campus,” made sure he enjoyed his second Morgan State homecoming while also prioritizing the safety of himself and those around.
“I was at homecoming last year and it was a bit of a new experience for me. This year, my organization had a coronation and we held a house party for students. It was very safe and demure,” said the information systems major. Sodipo added, “Homecoming is an amazing time, seeing alumni return to the ‘National Treasure’ and have that warm feeling of returning home.”
Safety has been an area of focus for the university ever since a 2023 shooting incident that made national news.
The university began the weekend events with a homecoming parade at 9 a.m. on Oct. 11, which was followed by the football game which kicked off at 1 p.m. EST.
On the gridiron, the Morgan State Bears dominated Virginia University of Lynchburg. The Bears jumped out to a 23-0 lead against the Dragons in the first half, including three rushing touchdowns and a safety on defense. The Bears would add on three more touchdowns in the second half, defeating the Dragons 44-7. Six different Morgan State players scored a touchdown in the matchup, highlighted by two scores courtesy of quarterback Raymond Moore III.
Morgan State football holds a record of 3-4. Following a bye week, the Bears will suit up to face the Howard Bison (3-3) on Oct. 25 at Greene Stadium in Washington, D.C. This will be Howard’s homecoming game. The matchup will commence Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play for both teams.
Amid Morgan State’s thorough defeat of their opponent on field and over 20,000 students and alumni circling the campus, tailgating and reconnecting, Hall-Watts took the time to walk by herself and honor a recently lost friend and fellow alum of the university.
“My old roommate, Brenda Brown Jews, passed away recently and she was the anchor person for me and my friends for homecoming. We would meet up in Baltimore and Brenda would be on this very bridge waiting for us. I wanted to make this walk, just have Brenda’s spirit sit with me because she meant a lot to me, just like Morgan means the world to all of us. Me and my peers honor her always, paying homage to the ‘Might Class of 1969,’” said Hall-Watts.
Morgan State University concluded its 2025 homecoming with a candlelight memorial service on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 8 a.m. The service was held “in remembrance of students, alumni, faculty, and staff from the Morgan community who passed away this past year, offering an opportunity to reflect and honor their memory,” according to the university’s website.
It’s moments like these that make HBCU homecoming celebrations so special, alumna Lisa Dieng said.
“Especially at historically Black colleges and universities, homecoming is very important,” said Dieng, an elementary school teacher set to retire in a couple of months. “At 60 years old, it’s seeing friends that are still around, healthy and that’s doing well. You just appreciate friendship.”