Robert Franklin | |
|---|---|
| 10th President ofMorehouse College | |
| In office July 1, 2007 – July 1, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Walter E. Massey |
| Succeeded by | John Silvanus Wilson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1954-02-22)February 22, 1954 (age 71) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Cheryl Goffney |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Morehouse College (BA) Harvard University (M.Div.) University of Chicago (Ph.D.) |
Robert Michael Franklin Jr. (born February 22, 1954) is an American author, theologian, ordained minister, and academic administrator who served as the tenth president ofMorehouse College from 2007 to 2012. Franklin is a visiting scholar in residence atStanford University's Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute. In January 2014, he became director of the religion program at theChautauqua Institution.
A native ofChicago, Franklin graduated fromMorgan Park High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree fromMorehouse College, Master of Divinity fromHarvard Divinity School, and a Ph.D. from theUniversity of Chicago Divinity School. In 1973, he received an English Speaking Union scholarship to study abroad atDurham University during his undergraduate studies. He is also the recipient of honorary degrees fromBethune–Cookman University,Bates College, andSwarthmore College.[1][2]
Franklin became 10th president of Morehouse College on July 1, 2007. Prior to coming to Morehouse, he was presidential distinguished professor of social ethics at theCandler School of Theology and senior fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion, both atEmory University.[3] Franklin is also former president of theInterdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. He was a program officer in the Human Rights and Social Justice Program at theFord Foundation and served as Theologian in Residence for theChautauqua Institution, both in New York.[4]
Franklin took office as the 10th president of Morehouse College on July 1, 2007.[5] In 2009, the college received reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In a project initiated by his predecessor, Walter Massey, Franklin oversaw the completion and opening of the $20 million Ray Charles Performing Arts Center and Music Academic Building, a 75,000 square foot facility named after the musician. Franklin led and supported cultivation efforts such as establishing the Renaissance Commission, a group of 150 volunteer stakeholders, that increased the total number of new donors by an average of 1,000 per year. The college generated in excess of $128 million (grants and contracts, private fundraising and federal appropriations) during Franklin's tenure.[6][7]
Franklin is a member ofAlpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and the Kappa Boule ofSigma Pi Phi fraternity. He serves on numerous boards, including theCharacter Education Partnership and Public Broadcasting of Atlanta (WABE radio andtelevision). Franklin is a member of theCouncil on Foreign Relations; the executive committee of theMetro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; theAtlanta Symphony Orchestra (executive committee); the HBCU Capital Financing Advisory Board; and theNaval War College Board of Advisors.
Franklin is the author of four books,Moral Leadership: Integrity, Courage, Imagination (2020),Crisis in the Village: Restoring Hope in African American Communities (2007),Another Day's Journey: Black Churches Confronting the American Crisis (1997), andLiberating Visions: Human Fulfillment and Social Justice in African American Thought (1989).
Franklin has appeared on theNPR programAll Things Considered and provided televised commentary for Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasting.
Franklin worked to produce an official congregational study guide for the 1998 animated filmThe Prince of Egypt. He also worked as an advisor on the production ofThe Bible, aHistory Channel miniseries.[8]
In 2020, Franklin announced his candidacy for2020 Georgia's 5th congressional district special election to succeedJohn Lewis.[9] Franklin is a member of theDemocratic Party.
Franklin placed second in the September 29, 2020 general election. As no candidate earned 50 percent of votes cast, Franklin and the first-place finisher,Kwanza Hall, advanced to a December runoff election.[10][11] He lost the election on December 2, 2020.[12]
Franklin is married to Cheryl Goffney Franklin, anOB-GYN physician. He has three children and two grandchildren. Franklin holds ordination in two Christian denominations: the American Baptist Churches USA and the Church of God in Christ.[13]
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