Maryland. Morgan State College (Baltimore, Md.).

Originally a private institution, Morgan College was purchased by Maryland in the aftermath of a 1934-35 lawsuit filed by Donald Murray, an African-American student who had been denied admission to the University of Maryland School of Law because of his race. In its opinon, the Court of Appeals found that the state could not prevent students from attending a public institution on the basis of race unless equivalent public institutions existed for each race. Facing a choice between desegregation and establishing a separate public college for African Americans, state officials opted for the latter option and approached the Board of Trustees of Morgan College about purchasing the institution. The transaction was completed in 1939 and the school was renamed "Morgan State College" (Laws of 1939, ch. 331).

Morgan State College was initially governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Board of Public Works. In 1943, the General Assembly enacted legislation that created a permanent board to administer the college. The nine-member board was appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate (Laws of 1943, ch. 332).

Morgan State College remained under the jurisdiction of the board until 1963, when it was subordinated to the Board of Trustees of the State Colleges (Laws of 1963, ch. 41). In 1969, the college was granted its own Board of Visitors, which assisted the president of the college to determine school goals, prepare the budget, develop campus activities, and carry out such responsibilities as delegated by the Board of Trustees of the State Colleges (Laws of 1969, ch. 799). Morgan State College was granted university status in 1975.

From the description of Agency history record, 1939-1975. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122610219