Annual Benjamin E. Mays Lecture Focuses on Empathy, Courage in Higher Education

ATLANTA—William F. Tate IV, president of Louisiana State University, will deliver the 33^rd annual Benjamin E. Mays Lecture on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in a virtual format.

At this event, hosted by Georgia State University’s Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence, Tate will give a presentation entitled, “Excellence as Struggle: Truth, Empathy and Courage in Higher Education.”

“One of my favorite quotations of Dr. Benjamin Mays is, ‘Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done.’ I am certain that Dr. William Tate is answering the call to do something distinctive as president of Louisiana State University — something that no one else can do,” said Joyce King, the Benjamin E. Mays Endowed Chair for Urban Teaching, Learning and Leadership. “We are so fortunate to have him deliver the Mays Lecture this year and I am excited to learn more about his visionary leadership.”

Tate holds academic appointments in sociology, epidemiology, psychiatry and behavioral medicine, and population and public health. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Education and a past president and elected fellow of the American Educational Research Association. His research program includes the study of the social determinants of STEM attainment, geospatial modeling of health, education and developmental outcomes, and social stratification. His book project titled, “Research on Schools, Neighborhoods and Communities: Toward Civic Responsibility,” reflects his interest in the geography of opportunity in metropolitan America.

“I am excited that we once again have the opportunity to gather in honor of the legacy of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays,” said Brian Williams, Crim Center director. “During these challenging times, I believe it is important to connect with those, like Dr. Mays, who shaped our past and those, like Dr. Tate, who build for today and tomorrow.”

Benjamin E. Mays was a minister, educator, sociologist, social activist and president of Morehouse College in Atlanta from 1940 to 1967. He also was president of the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education and supervised the desegregation of Atlanta’s public schools. The annual Mays Lecture encourages the discussion of issues facing urban educational leaders, honors the memory of Mays and promotes his philosophy of excellence in the education of those typically least well served by the larger society.

For more information about the lecture, visit https://crim.education.gsu.edu/get-connected/benjamin-e-mays-lecture or call 404-413-8070.