By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO
Dr. Earl Stanford Richardson, who served as the ninth president of Morgan State University from 1984 to 2010, has died at the age of 81. Dr. Richardson succeeded Dr. Andrew Billingsley and was followed by Dr. David K. Wilson, the current president of the university.
In announcing Dr. Richardson’s death to the Morgan community in a statement on Sept. 13, Dr. Wilson called him, “a transformative leader in our institution’s history, who guided Morgan with wisdom, strength and vision. He ushered in what came to be known as Morgan’s Renaissance–a period of tremendous growth, renewal and national recognition.”
During Dr. Richardson’s tenure as president, from Nov. 1, 1984 to June 30, 2010, he increased the institution’s offerings from a lone doctorate in urban education leadership to more than 15 different doctoral programs. He was also responsible for expanding the university with the addition of multiple new schools, including the School of Architecture and Planning, the School of Community Health and Policy, the School of Social Work, the School of Global Journalism and Communication and more.
Dr. Wilson credits his immediate predecessor’s leadership in transforming the campus with more than a half billion dollars in new and renovated facilities.
“Under his stewardship Morgan’s enrollment grew significantly, the qualifications of incoming students rose, and our graduates went on to excel across every field of endeavor,” stated Dr. Wilson. “He leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, innovation, and an unshakable belief in the transformative power of education. Dr. Richardson will forever be remembered as a towering figure in Morgan’s history.”
In 1995, Dr. Richardson hired Dr. Anna McPhatter, who became the founding dean of the institution’s School of Social Work, which was the last school established in 2009 under Dr. Richardson and the Board of Regents.
“It has become one of the leading master’s programs,” said Dean McPhatter, in an AFRO interview, following news of the death. “Dr. Richardson’s imprint on higher education for the state of Maryland will be forever felt.”
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott also weighed in on Dr. Richardson’s death.
“Morgan State would not be where it is today without Dr. Richardson. Under his leadership, Morgan grew in every sense of the word—from enrollment to degree offerings to physical expansion of the campus. All of that progress brought new students and new investments to Baltimore, helping to drive our own citywide growth,” he said.
“Dr. Richardson was also a strong advocate for equal opportunity and access for all students,” Scott added. “He knew that building a path to higher education meant opening doors for countless young people to reach their full potential. I am so grateful for his service to our city and our country. My prayers are with his wife Sheila and son Eric.”
In 2006, the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education, which Dr. Earl Richardson helped create, filed a lawsuit that began a 15-year battle on behalf of students that attended historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the state. That case was finally settled in 2021, requiring Maryland to provide $577 million in additional funding to its four HBCUs over 10 years.
Former State Sen. Joan Carter-Conway served from 1997-2019 on the Senate’s Committee for Education, Health and Environmental Affairs. She served as vice chair of that committee from 2003 to 2007 and as chair from 2007 to 2019.
Dr. Richardson “will be remembered as a true champion for Morgan and all HBCUs,” Carter-Conway said.
“I witnessed many presentations in Annapolis by Dr. Earl Richardson during his tenure. He was a dynamic and energetic leader who fought diligently for fair funding for all historically Black institutions,” said Carter-Conway. She added of the news of his death, “It hurt me to my heart. I was devastated to learn of his illness and passing.”
Carter-Conway currently serves as deputy assistant to the president and as director of government relations for Morgan State University.
Among the many legislators and state leaders to pour out their condolences for the Richardson family was Gov. Wes Moore.
“Dr. Earl Richardson was a pillar of Maryland and the Morgan State University community,” said a statement sent to the AFRO from Gov. Moore’s office. “Dr. Richardson dedicated his life to the education of young Marylanders– our home is stronger because of his work.”
Maryland Congressman Kweisi Mfume, the U.S. representative of Maryland’s 7th Congressional District and staple of the Morgan community, called Dr. Richardson “a transformative leader and stalwart in the fight to insure a college opportunity for all students.”
“It was an honor for me, as a member of the Morgan State University Board of Regents, to serve alongside him. His voice and his presence will be greatly missed,” said Mfume.
Richardson was born, Sept. 25, 1943, in Westover, Md. Part of his passion for Maryland’s HBCUs was no doubt rooted in the fact that he earned his bachelor’s degree in social science from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (formerly Maryland State College), according to information from the Maryland State Archives. He went on to secure master’s and doctoral degrees in education from the University of Pennsylvania.
Prior to becoming president of Morgan State University, he taught on the undergraduate level and held different administrative roles, such as assistant to the president of the University System of Maryland.
At the height of his career, according to information released by Morgan, Dr. Richardson chaired the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education and was appointed by President William Jefferson Clinton to head the White House Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Dr. Earl Richardson received numerous awards, including the Maryland Senate’s prestigious First Citizen’s Award and recognition by President Barack Obama for his work in higher education.
After leaving his role as leader of the national treasure he helped thrive, Dr. Richardson, decided to serve as a distinguished professor and research associate in the Center for Civil Rights in Education. He also served on several boards and commissions, both locally and nationally.
Dr. Richardson leaves to mourn his wife, Dr. Sheila Bunting, and his son, Eric Anthony.
“As we mourn his passing, let us also honor his extraordinary contributions by rededicating ourselves to the ideals he championed and the mission he so faithfully advanced,” said Dr. Wilson in his statement. “Morgan is stronger because of Earl S. Richardson, and for that we are eternally grateful.”
Today, the AFRO sends a salute to Dr. Richardson, the man that poured into thousands of students and fought valiantly on their behalf in court to improve higher education in the State of Maryland. We thank him for his service and dedication, and conclude with Dr. Richardson’s favorite quote:
“Whatever you do, do it well.”