Houston, Harris County
(June 27, 1919 - June 6, 2020) Celebrated philosophy professor and debate coach, Dr. Thomas Franklin Freeman, was born in Richmond, Virginia, to Louis and Louise (Willis) Freeman. Thomas Freeman attended Armstrong High School and graduated at age 15. He enrolled at Virginia Union University and earned his bachelor's degree in English. He went on to earn a doctorate from the Divinity School at the University of Chicago. Dr. Freeman was also pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Richmond. In 1949, he received a job offer from Texas Southern University (TSU) as a philosophy professor. Dr. Freeman accepted the offer under the impression that it would only be for nine months. After the first year, he decided to stay at the school while serving the community as a minister at Mount Horem Baptist Church in Houston's Fifth Ward. He organized the TSU debate team in 1949. The team gained recognition and prestige after the student debaters beat Harvard University in a tournament in 1956. Under Dr. Freeman's leadership, the debate team won over 3,000 trophies and numerous tournaments. In 2009, the TSU Honors College was named after Dr. Freeman as a sign of respect and gratitude for his contributions to the school and the African American community. As a debate coach, philosophy professor and minister, Dr. Freeman directly influenced the lives of thousands of people in more than 70 years of service at TSU and 69 years pastoring Mt. Horem Baptist Church. He met, taught and influenced national and global figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Barbara Jordan. In his 100-year life, Dr. Freeman left an indelible mark on his community and nation. (2020)