After 43 years of service as Morris College’s president, Richardson retired on June 30, 2017. He was elected as the college’s ninth president in 1974. During his tenure, Richardson presided over the construction of 17 buildings on the Morris College campus and was instrumental in growing the institution’s endowment from $30,000 to more than $12 million. Under Richardson’s leadership, Morris College achieved its initial Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation in December 1978, a full year ahead of schedule. He directed the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation in 1983, 1993, 2003, and 2012 with no deficiencies.
In January 1982, Morris College was accepted into the United Negro College Fund as a member institution. In January 2010, the college received its largest and most generous individual gift of $10 million from Dr. Solomon Jackson, Jr.
In addition to serving as Morris College’s president, Richardson was pastor of Thankful Baptist Church (Bamberg, SC) for 56 years.
Two services will be held for Dr. Richardson. The first service will be at 11 am on Friday, January 19, 2018, in the Garrick-Boykin Human Development Center on the Morris College campus. The second service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Jerusalem Baptist Church in Hartsville, SC.
Visitation will take place at 1214 Club Court, Hartsville, SC, Tuesday, January 16 – Friday, January 19, 2018, from 2-8 PM.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial contributions be made to Morris College, Office of Church Relations, for the Luns C. Richardson Endowed Scholarship.
For further information, please contact Anika V. Cobb, Morris College Director of Public Relations, at 803-934-3168 or acobb@morris.edu.
Additional news releases regarding Dr. Richardson’s legacy and retirement announcement may be viewed on the SCICU website. James E. Clyburn (D-SC 6th District) honored Dr. Richardson with a tribute in the US House of Representatives on March 29, 2017 (recorded in the Congressional Record).
Morris College is an accredited, four year, coeducational, residential, liberal arts and career-focused institution awarding baccalaureate degrees in the arts and sciences and in career-based professional fields. Founded in 1908, it is owned and operated by the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina. Additional information about Morris College is available at www.morris.edu.