President Bowman in Conversation at Inaugural Symposium to Explore Leadership, Equity, and the Future of Higher Education

As part of this year's Founder's Week and Inauguration programming, Morehouse College convened distinguished national leaders for its Inaugural Symposium, a signature event centered on the theme “Building Principled Leaders: Steadfast, Honest, True.” The symposium featured President F. DuBois Bowman '92 in conversation with an esteemed panel whose collective experience spans public service, higher education, faith leadership, and national policy.

The discussion explored what principled leadership demands in this moment, particularly within institutions of higher learning, and how leaders must remain grounded in truth, moral clarity, and service as they navigate social, political, and educational change.

Joining President Bowman for the conversation were:

• Dr. Jeh Johnson ’79, American lawyer and former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, reflected on ethical leadership and responsibility in public service, emphasizing the importance of steady decision-making during moments of national uncertainty.
• Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, scholar, author, and race relations expert, and ninth president of Spelman College, spoke to the role of higher education in fostering identity, belonging, and equity, particularly for historically marginalized communities.
• Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock ’91, U.S. Senator from Georgia and Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, highlighted the moral dimensions of leadership, connecting faith, justice, and public accountability.
• Dr. Michael Drake, Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology at UCSF and President Emeritus of University of California, discussed stewardship, access, and the evolving responsibilities of higher education leaders in a global context. 

Throughout the conversation, President Bowman emphasized that leadership rooted in principle is not performative, but practiced—requiring courage, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to truth. Panelists echoed this sentiment, underscoring that institutions like Morehouse play a vital role in preparing leaders who can navigate complexity without compromising their values.

The Inaugural Symposium served as both a reflection on leadership legacies and a call to action for the future. Grounded in the inauguration theme, the conversation affirmed Morehouse College’s enduring mission to develop men who lead with integrity, act with purpose, and remain steadfast in service to humanity.

The event marked a powerful moment in the inauguration of President Bowman, setting a clear vision for principled leadership at Morehouse—one that is honest, true, and responsive to the needs of the world.