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Prior to taking the helm at Morehouse — a historically Black, men’s college in Atlanta — Thomas was a professor and dean at Harvard, Georgetown and the University of Pennsylvania.
This is part of our coverage of Northeastern University’s 2024 commencement.
David A. Thomas, president of Morehouse College and a visionary leader in higher education, will take the stage at Fenway Park in Boston on Sunday, May 5, to address students at Northeastern University’s 2024 undergraduate commencement.
Thomas will speak in place of NASA deputy administrator Pamela Melroy, who is unable to attend due to illness. The 4 p.m. ceremony will be streamed live.
Prior to taking the helm at Morehouse — a historically Black, men’s college in Atlanta — Thomas was a professor and dean at Harvard, Georgetown and the University of Pennsylvania. He’s led successful capital campaigns and consulted for corporations, nonprofits and governments around the world.
An award-winning author, Thomas has co-written three books: “Race, Work, and Leadership: New Perspectives on the Black Experience,” “Breaking Through: The Making of Minority Executives in Corporate America,” and “Leading for Equity: The Pursuit of Excellence in Montgomery County.”
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Thomas earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Yale. He also earned a master’s from Columbia. He’s been named one of Atlanta’s most powerful leaders and among the most influential Georgians.
Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the National Science Foundation, will address the graduate students at 10 a.m.