Norman Thomas Sr., Norman Thomas Jr. and Norman Thomas III proudly represent their family’s long-standing connection to Morehouse College.

During a recent sit-down with the Atlanta Black Star, the family reflected on what it means to be a Morehouse Man, referring to the vibe as the “Morehouse mystique.”

“They talk about the Morehouse mystique, but what is that? The mystique is the confidence, not an arrogance. It’s a confidence in knowing whatever you feel called or led to do; nobody can tell you [that] you can’t do it,” Norman Thomas Jr., who graduated from the institution with an early education degree in 1996, said.

Thomas Jr. shared that his father earned his history degree from Morehouse in 1965 and inspired him to attend the Atlanta HBCU.

“He would always tell me, ‘That’s a good Morehouse brother right there.’ Even the doctor he would go to, he would always make sure it was somebody from Morehouse,” Thomas Jr. said of his father, who had the opportunity to interact with prominent civil rights activists during his time as a student.

“When he talked about them, the people seemed bigger than life, so he talked about Dr. Mays, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Howard Thurmond, the great theologian who would talk to them on Tuesday in chapel,” Thomas Jr. noted.

Now, 17-year-old Norman Thomas III is following in his family’s footsteps by choosing to attend Morehouse College.

“I wanted to fill some big footsteps and follow that lead, and I felt like going to Morehouse, that would look good for me, and I would also be continuing a legacy,” Thomas III said of his decision.

“I would tell him about Thurmond Hall and Dad would tell him about Graves Hall. And, incidentally, my son will be living in Graves Hall like his granddaddy in the same dorm room,” Thomas Jr. added, recalling past conversations he and his father had with Thomas III.

Thomas III plans to study biology and aspires to graduate with a sports medicine degree in 2026.

Eventually, Thomas III said he also hopes to carry on the family legacy and usher in the 4th generation of Morehouse graduates.