Dr. Walter E. Massey inaugurated as Morehouse College's ninth president; late Jet Executive Editor Robert E. Johnson among alumni honored

Jet, March 25, 1996

Dr. Walter E. Massey recently was inaugurated as the ninth president of Morehouse College in Atlanta.

Massey graduated from Morehouse in 1958 with a bachelor of science degree in physics and mathematics. He earned his master's and doctorate in physics from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.

Massey returns to Morehouse with extraordinary credentials in science and education: provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of California; director of the National Science Foundation; vice president for research at the University of Chicago; director of Argonne National Laboratory; dean of the college and professor of physics at Brown University.

Massey's own research has involved the study of quantum liquids and solids. His written work also has addressed science and math education

The day following Dr. Massey's inauguration, the college held its eighth annual "A Candle in the Dark" Gala, which honors Morehouse alumni and others for their personal and professional achievement.

The college honored six distinguished men with the Bennie and Candle Awards. The Bennie Award is named for Benjamin E. Mays, the legendary president of Morehouse for 27 years.

The late Robert E. Johnson, Jet executive editor and associate publisher, received the Candle in Business Award for his 42 years of service in journalism as an editor of Jet. Johnson was a top graduate in the Morehouse Class of 1948. His award was accepted on his behalf by his widow, Mrs. Naomi (Nemi) Johnson. The Johnsons' daughter, Attorney Janet Johnson-Vinion recalled her father's long and distinguished career in journalism.

Others honored were: Dr. Henry W. Foster, President Clinton's new senior advisor in a national offensive on teenage pregnancy. (Bennie Service Award); Hobert Kornegay, a dentist who has practiced in Meridian, MS, for nearly 50 years; a politician and public servant (Bennie Achievement Award); Samuel L. Jackson, acclaimed film actor whose credits include the box-office smash Pulp Fiction, which earned him Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations (Bennie Trailblazer Award).

Also honored were James King Jr., a world-class scientist and former director of the Engineering and Science Directorate at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. (Candle in Science and Technology Award); and Joe Adams, a promoter, philanthropist, actor and radio personality and the first Black producer-announcer on the airwaves coast-to-coast and executive vice president of Ray Charles Enterprises (Candle in Arts and Entertainment).

Morehouse is the nation's only Black, all-male, liberal arts college. Morehouse is noted for its tradition of excellence in scholarship, leadership and service, and for commitment to producing graduates like Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose lives influence national and world history.