David Wilson Shown the Door at Morgan State University

The board of regents of Morgan State University voted not to renew the contract of David Wilson who has served as president of the university since 2010. President Wilson’s contract expires on June 30, 2013.

The university stated that when his term expires, Dr. Wilson is expected to take a post as a tenured faculty member. The board appointed a member to serve as head of the transition team and announced that it would begin a search for a new president immediately.

In a letter addressed to the “Morgan Community,” President Wilson provided a long list of accomplishments during his brief tenure. He stated, “I have committed no act of illegality, immorality, or malfeasance. I stand proudly on the body of work we have been able to achieve during my tenure. It is indeed unfortunate that half of the members of the board of regents and I do not see it the same way.”

Prior to becoming the 12th president of Morgan State University, Dr. Wilson was chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Colleges and the University of Wisconsin-Extension. During a more than 30-year career in higher education, he has held administrative positions at Rutgers University, Kentucky State University, Radcliffe College, Auburn University, and Tuskegee University.

Dr. Wilson holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Tuskegee University. He earned a second master’s degree and an educational doctorate from Harvard University.

Update: After protests by students and faculty in support of Dr. Wilson, on December 29, the board of trustees voted to renew Dr. Wilson’s contract for one year to cover the period July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014.