Jefferson State dedicated the Dr. Joseph E. Morris Technology Center during a special ceremony Friday, Sept. 30, as part of the college’s Pioneer Day festivities.
Morris was a former Vice President at the college who passed away in December 2021. Morris began his employment with Jefferson State in 1969 as a math instructor, served as the Dean of Instruction for many years and became the college’s first Vice President in 2000, remaining in that role until his retirement in 2014.
“He loved this institution,” Jefferson State President Keith Brown said at the ceremony. “While those of us who are here today remember Dr. Morris and remember fondly all the contributions that he made, it’s appropriate that we permanently recognize and forever dedicate his contributions for the generations to come.”
Through Morris’ careful guidance, Jefferson State expanded geographically and also in terms of opportunities for students across the region.
“You hope to build a great institution and then others will follow who will make it even better,” Morris said after his retirement on June 30, 2014.
Born July 6, 1942, Morris also served in many statewide leadership roles, including spearheading the Statewide Articulation & General Studies Committee.
Jefferson State’s annual Outstanding Faculty Award was also recently named in honor of Morris.
