Robert Michael Franklin Jr. (born February 22, 1954) is an American author, theologian, ordained minister, and academic administrator who served as the tenth president of Morehouse College from 2007 to 2012.
Prior to coming to Morehouse, he was presidential distinguished professor of social ethics at the Candler School of Theology and senior fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion, both at Emory University.
In a project initiated by his predecessor, Walter Massey, Franklin oversaw the completion and opening of the $20 million Ray Charles Performing Arts Center and Music Academic Building, a 75,000 square foot facility named after the musician.
Franklin led and supported cultivation efforts such as establishing the Renaissance Commission, a group of 150 volunteer stakeholders, that increased the total number of new donors by an average of 1,000 per year.
He serves on numerous boards, including the Character Education Partnership and Public Broadcasting of Atlanta (WABE radio and television).
As no candidate earned 50 percent of votes cast, Franklin and the first-place finisher, Kwanza Hall, advanced to a December runoff election.