Muslim student wins Morehouse 'Freshman of the Year'

By Jesse Muhammad -Staff Writer- | Last updated: May 13, 2010 - 11:47:37 AM

To his surprise, Khalifah Muhammad was recently honored as Morehouse College's Freshman of the Year and the 19-year-old English major is upholding the school's prestigious reputation by being a good example.

Khalifah Muhammad

“I was very shocked when I won because I was up against some stiff competition. Plus I did not think my presence was that big on campus,” Mr. Muhammad told The Final Call in a phone interview.

Mr. Muhammad, who is the son of Final Call staff writer Nisa Muhammad and Muhammad Mosque #4's Prison Reform Student Minister Anthony Muhammad, won based on voting by his peers at Morehouse as well as the neighboring Spellman College. He was up against five other candidates and walked away with the top honor on April 19.

In only his first two semesters, he has managed to become known as a leader. He uses his skills in film development to make on campus videos plus train others in the art form. Upon graduation, he is focused on attending New York Film School to learn to write scripts and narrate stories.

“I want to help to change the images of my people on the big screen as well as raise the consciousness of the people with my films,” said Mr. Muhammad.

A desire to elevate the thinking of fellow students motivated him to launch the now 13-member organization called The 5th Floor. He told The Final Call “we only have three floors in our dorm so we called it The 5th Floor because we want to think and act on a higher level. We're taking it to a higher level in everything we do.”

“I am so proud of my son. He even had his friends wearing bowties and fasting during the month of Ramadan last year,” said Mrs. Muhammad, who is an active parent in the lives of her children.

“I don't know where I would be without the love and support of my mother. She is always there for me. Transitioning from high school to college was difficult in the beginning but my mother is always ready to hop on a plane if I need anything. She amazes me,” said Mr. Muhammad.

When asked why he chose to attend Morehouse College he didn't hesitate in stating that “this school exhibits the type of brotherhood that parallels what I see in the Nation of Islam. I did not see it at other schools. I did not go to a prestigious high school so I was attracted to the unity of this campus.”

“I thank the students of Morehouse and Spellman college for this honor. I am still humbled,” said Mr. Muhammad.

The Final Call