The Convocations Program Collection is a Morganiana Vertical File collection of more than 500 programs documenting the various campus convocation events. The assortment attests to the cultural and historical richness of annual recognition for Morgan State University's and the nation's most important dates, personalities, and events according to the Morgan State University Convocations webpage, and in response to Dr. Carter G. Woodson's establishment of an annual period of recognition of Black Excellence - called Negro History Week - when it was established in 1939.
The University established a schedule of monthly recognitions of Black History and Black Excellence - the Annual Convocations Calendar. The nine convocation ceremonies are the Matriculation Convocation (September); the Performing Arts Convocation (October); the Founders Day Convocation (November); the Bills of Rights Convocation/TransAfrica Day (December); the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.--Malcolm X Convocation (February); the Mitchell-Quarles African-American History Month Convocation (February); the Frederick Douglass Memorial Convocation (February);the Rosalyn Terborg-Penn Women's History Month Convocation (March); the Honors Convocation (April).
Over the years, additional convocations marking special occasions, accomplishments of Black History personalities, educational accomplishments and other events were occasionally added to the standard nine-event convocations calendar. A rich testament of accomplished African American achievement in all academic areas of Morgan State is further demonstrated in the programs' listings of honorary degree and other award recipients. Morgan's highest achieving students are recognized during the annual Honors Convocation. The growing collection of programs currently offers 167 editions, with more being added.
