Don H. Morris

Dr. Don H. Morris came to Abilene in 1922 at the age of 20 and enrolled at Abilene Christian. He graduated two years later with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. He served as president of his class, edited the school yearbook, the Prickly Pear; and participated in intercollegiate debates against college and university students from across the southwest, never losing a decision.

After graduation from ACC, Morris became a teacher and debate coach at Abilene High School. He coached one state championship debate team. In 1924, he married Alberta Allen, his college sweetheart.

In 1928, Morris returned to Abilene Christian, this time as a speech teacher. In four years he rose to the vice presidency. From 1932 to 1940 he was vice president and head of the Department of Speech.

Morris became Abilene Christian’s seventh president in 1940, only 16 years after his college graduation. Formally installed Nov. 10, 1940, he was the first former student to become president. He served 29 years, and in 1969 ranked as the dean of college and university presidents in Texas, having served the longest in the chief executive's position.

In 1956, McMurry College in Abilene awarded Morris an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. In 1963, Pepperdine College in Los Angeles, Calif., conferred upon him the same degree. Oklahoma Christian College in Oklahoma City presented him with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 1968.

Morris served as an elder for University Church of Christ in Abilene. He and his wife, Alberta, had three children – Jackie Warmsley ('46), Patsy Schneider ('50) and Tommy ('55).

Morris died Jan. 9, 1974.