Dean Lawrence E. Carter Sr. to retire after over 40 years at Morehouse College

Carter was the founding dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel and leaves a lasting legacy.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:55pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a repeated image of a mortar board graduation cap in neon shades of blue, green, and pink, conceptually representing the lasting impact of Dean Carter's leadership at Morehouse College.The vibrant legacy of Dean Lawrence E. Carter Sr. will continue to inspire generations of Morehouse men long after his retirement.Atlanta Today

Dean Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., the founding dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College, is preparing to retire this summer after more than 40 years of service. Carter's journey to Morehouse began when he unexpectedly met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a teenager, who encouraged him to attend the college. Under Carter's leadership, the chapel evolved into an internationally recognized center for nonviolence, interfaith dialogue, and moral leadership.

Why it matters

Carter's retirement marks the end of an era deeply rooted in the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Morehouse College. As the founding dean of the King Chapel, Carter played a pivotal role in shaping generations of Black men and expanding King's philosophy onto a global stage through initiatives like the Nile Valley Conference.

The details

Carter said his journey to Morehouse began with a chance encounter with Dr. King as a 10th grader, who encouraged him to attend the college. Years later, Carter followed that path, becoming a scholar, professor of religion, and the founding dean of King Chapel in 1979. Under his leadership, the chapel became an internationally recognized center for nonviolence, interfaith dialogue, and moral leadership. Carter focused on teaching students that ethical principles must be lived out in daily life, not just studied.

  • Carter is preparing to retire this summer after more than 40 years of service at Morehouse College.
  • Carter became the founding dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel in 1979.

The players

Lawrence Edward Carter Sr.

The founding dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College, who is retiring this summer after more than 40 years of service.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The renowned civil rights leader who encouraged the young Carter to attend Morehouse College.

Dr. David Wall Rice

A former student of Carter's who is now a professor at Morehouse College, and who says Carter's impact on the community is "infinity".

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What they’re saying

“His impact is infinity. What he has sought to instill in this community is that Black men, Black boys emerging into Black men, are of consequence, and they are loved, they are valued, and they are worth investing in.”

— Dr. David Wall Rice, Professor, Morehouse College

“It was surprising. I was a 10th grader in high school.”

— Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., Founding Dean, Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel

What’s next

After decades of teaching, mentoring, and global engagement, Carter said he does not plan to stop his work entirely. Instead, he hopes to continue writing, studying, and engaging with future generations of faith leaders.

The takeaway

Carter's retirement marks the end of an era at Morehouse College, where he has left an indelible mark as the founding dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel. His commitment to ethical leadership, nonviolence, and shaping generations of Black men has had a profound impact that will continue to resonate long after his retirement.