Former Morgan State President Earl Richardson Dies at 81 After Leading Historic HBCU Funding Lawsuit

Dr. Earl S. Richardson, the transformative ninth president of Morgan State University from 1984 to 2010, has died at 81. He led what became known as "Morgan's Renaissance," expanding the university's doctoral programs from one to 15, founding multiple new schools, and doubling student enrollment while elevating the institution to doctoral research university status. Richardson was also the architect of a landmark 15-year legal battle that culminated in a $577 million settlement from the state of Maryland to address systemic underfunding of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), a case often likened to Brown v. Board of Education for its impact on higher education equity. His leadership combined tactical administrative wisdom with civil rights activism, including guiding student protests in 1990 that exposed funding disparities to state officials. Morgan State's current president, Dr. David K. Wilson, praised Richardson’s legacy of perseverance, innovation, and steadfast belief in education's transformative power. Richardson's work profoundly shaped Morgan State and HBCUs nationwide, securing resources that continue to strengthen these institutions.