The Morehouse College Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. F. DuBois Bowman, a 1992 Morehouse graduate and nationally recognized public health leader, as the college’s 13th president. Dr. Bowman will begin his tenure on July 15, 2025, succeeding President David A. Thomas.
Dr. Bowman currently serves as dean of the University of Michigan School of Public Health and holds the Roderick J. Little Collegiate Professorship of Biostatistics. His election to the presidency follows a comprehensive national search.
“Dr. Bowman’s record of visionary leadership, his deep commitment to academic excellence, and his lifelong dedication to Morehouse make him the ideal choice to lead the College into its next era,” said Willie Woods ’85, chairman of the Morehouse College Board of Trustees. “He brings an extraordinary blend of intellectual rigor, strategic thinking, and values-driven leadership.”
A member of the National Academy of Medicine and fellow of both the American Statistical Association and American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr. Bowman is renowned for his groundbreaking statistical research on neurological and mental health disorders. His work has advanced understanding of conditions including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and schizophrenia, leading to more personalized therapeutic approaches and new insights into environmental impacts on brain function in youth.
At Michigan, Dr. Bowman oversees a premier public health school with more than 1,300 students and an annual research portfolio exceeding $100 million. His leadership has launched innovative initiatives addressing critical challenges such as firearm injury prevention, health equity, and infectious disease control, while fostering an inclusive culture of excellence and service.
“Returning to Morehouse as its 13th president is the honor of a lifetime,” said Dr. Bowman. “This institution shaped who I am— instilling a commitment to excellence, justice, and impact. I am excited to partner with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters to build on our legacy and write the next chapter of Morehouse’s transformative story.”
Dr. Bowman’s appointment coincides with Morehouse’s recent dual designation in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications as both a Research College & University (RCU) and Opportunity College & University (OCU), recognizing the institution’s growing research profile and enduring commitment to providing transformative education to students from underrepresented communities.
A proud Morehouse alumnus, Phi Beta Kappa member, and brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Dr. Bowman has maintained strong ties to the College as a two-time Morehouse parent and dedicated mentor. He has facilitated University of Michigan pipeline programs for students from Morehouse and Spelman colleges and was honored with the College’s prestigious Bennie Trailblazer Award in 2019.
Prior to Michigan, Dr. Bowman held leadership positions at Columbia University and Emory University. He earned his M.S. in Biostatistics from the University of Michigan and Ph.D. in Biostatistics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Bowman is married to Cynthia Bowman, a Spelman College graduate who also holds degrees from Georgia Tech and Northwestern. They have four children, including a son who graduated from Morehouse in 2024 and another currently enrolled at the College.
Founded in 1867, Morehouse College has been led by 12 distinguished presidents throughout its history: Joseph Robert, Frank Quarles, George Sale, John Hope (1906-1936), Samuel H. Archer (1936-1940), Benjamin E. Mays (1940-1967), Hugh M. Gloster (1967-1987), Leroy Keith Jr. (1987-1994), Walter E. Massey (1995-2007), Robert M. Franklin (2007-2012), John Silvanus Wilson Jr. (2013-2017), and David A. Thomas (2018-2025). Each president has contributed to Morehouse’s legacy of developing leaders committed to service, excellence, and justice. Dr. F. DuBois Bowman will build upon this strong foundation when he becomes the 13th president.
For more information, visit morehouse.edu.
