Legacy of Leadership
Over the past 135 years, since it was founded by Dr. Booker T. Washington in 1881, Tuskegee University has become one of the nation's most outstanding institutions of higher learning. While Tuskegee has historically focused on helping to develop human resources primarily within the African-American community, the University is open to all. Tuskegee's mission has always been service to people, not education for its own sake.
Stressing the need to educate the whole person -- the hand and the heart, as well as the mind -- Dr. Washington's school was soon acclaimed first by Alabama and then by the nation for the soundness and vigor of its educational programs and principles. This solid strength has continued through subsequent administrations of the late Drs. Robert Russa Moton (1915-1935), Frederick Douglass Patterson (1935-1953), Luther Hilton Foster (1953-1981) and during the administration of Dr. Benjamin Franklin Payton (1981-2010), who assumed responsibility as fifth president of the University on August 1, 1981. Leadership has continued through the administrations of Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon (2010-2013) as 6th president, and Dr. Brian L. Johnson, as the 7th president of Tuskegee University. The school has had two interim presidents. With the departure of Dr. Gilbert Rochon on October 20, 2013, Dr. Matthew Jenkins served as Interim President until the arrival of Dr. Brian Johnson on April 30, 2014. Dr. Charlotte P. Morris has served twice as Interim President. The first term was from August 1, 2010 until October 31, 2010, and her second term as Interim President was from July 1, 2017 until June 30, 2018. On July 1, 2018, Dr. Lily D. McNair took the reins as the first female president of Tuskegee University. She served as the 8th president from July 1, 2018 until June 30, 2021. On August 1, 2021, Dr. Charlotte P. Morris became the 9th president of Tuskegee University.
DR. BOOKER TALIAFERRO WASHINGTON
Booker T. Washington, born April 5, 1856, in Franklin County, Va., rose to national prominence following his challenge to the war ravaged South at the 1895 Atlanta Cotton Exposition. Dr. Washington was counsel to U.S. Presidents and instrumental in the development of American higher education. His autobiography, "Up From Slavery," was an instant classic. He founded Tuskegee in 1881 and served as its first president until his death on November 15, 1915.
DR. ROBERT RUSSA MOTON
Robert R. Moton, an advocate for American servicemen and women, traveled to France in support of Black soldiers during World War I. Dr. Moton worked with the federal government to establish the Tuskegee Veterans’ Administration Hospital on land donated by Tuskegee. At the demand of Moton, the hospital, which opened in 1923, was fully staffed by Black professionals – the first of its kind.
DR. FREDERICK DOUGLASS PATTERSON
Dr. Frederick D. Patterson established the first program in veterinary medicine at an Historically Black College or University. Today nearly 75 percent of all Black veterinarians in America are Tuskegee graduates. Dr. Patterson also founded the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and launched the Tuskegee Airmen project at Moton Field. The Airmen, America’s most proficient military fighter pilots, rarely lost a bomber under their escort to enemy fire.
DR. LUTHER HILTON FOSTER, JR.
Dr. Luther H. Foster led Tuskegee through the transformational years of the Civil Rights Movement. Student action, symbolized by student martyr and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee member Sammy Younge, as well as legal action represented by Gomillion v. Lightfoot (1960) attest to Tuskegee’s leadership in that pivotal era. The educational and economic empowerment models of Tuskegee laid the groundwork for the Movement.
DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PAYTON
Dr. Benjamin F. Payton, Tuskegee's fifth president, continued the University's legacy of leadership. Payton, Chairman of President George W. Bush's Advisory Board on HBCUs, established the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care at Tuskegee. He also oversaw the completion of a successful $169 million capital campaign that is building capacity for tomorrow's leaders by expanding housing, classroom and student activity facilities.
DR. GILBERT LEONARD ROCHON
Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon served as sixth president of Tuskegee University from November 1, 2010 to October 19, 2013. During his term as the sixth president of this institution, Rochon vowed to "Bring the World to Tuskegee and Tuskegee to the World." Rochon was also appointed by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley to serve on the Governor's College and Career Ready Task Force.
DR. BRIAN LAMONT JOHNSON
Dr. Brian L. Johnson, the seventh president of Tuskegee University, was appointed by the Tuskegee University Board of Trustees on April 30, 2014 and served as President until June 30, 2017. Johnson's legacy was one of transforming Tuskegee University into a 21st Century, data-informed, outcomes-oriented and knowledge-based institution of first choice. The Tuskegee University Strategic Plan, "The Tuskegee Trajectory (2015-2020)" and its Working Visioning Document set forth the baseline and desired outcomes the university achieved that aptly described the motto of the 7th Presidency of Tuskegee University: #TrustTheTuskegeeTradition #TrustTheTuskegeeTrajectory. Dr. Johnson and his family created a $100,000 endowed scholarship for Tuskegee University students.
DR. LILY D. MCNAIR
Dr. Lily D. McNair became Tuskegee University’s eighth president after being unanimously selected by its Board of Trustees. Beginning July 1, 2018, she served as the first female president of the institution in its 136-year history. Her appointment as Tuskegee’s first female president came after a 30-year career spanning experience as a university educator, researcher and executive, and in private practice as a clinical psychologist. She is married to Dr. George W. Roberts (the University's 1st First Gentleman), a retired senior administrator at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Upon coming to Tuskegee, Dr. McNair adopted the motto "Excellence in Every Way." She served as president from July 1, 2018 until June 30, 2021.
DR. CHARLOTTE PATTERSON MORRIS
Dr. Charlotte P. Morris was selected to serve as the ninth president of Tuskegee University. The Tuskegee University Board of Trustees proudly made the announcement that interim President Dr. Charlotte Morris has been elected the ninth president of Tuskegee University, effective August 1, 2021. Dr. Charlotte P. Morris will be the second female President of the University, following her predecessor Dr. Lily D. McNair.
For over three decades, Dr. Morris has served in several roles at Tuskegee University including Interim President several times, Chief of Staff to the 5th President and Secretary to the Board of Trustees. Dr. Charlotte P. Morris is committed to leading Tuskegee University into becoming "One Tuskegee."