G.C. Morlan

Dr. Grover C. Morlan joined the ACU faculty in 1916 when it was still the Childers Classical Institute. Very few people have been as connected to so many traditions at Abilene Christian.

In 1917 he founded the A Club and served as sponsor from the time of its founding until May 1958. He also wrote the words to the school song, "O Dear Christian College." In 1922, Morlan organized a Department of Psychology and at that time directed the combined Education-Psychology department. He organized and served as director of the extension department from 1922 to 1934. He was summer session dean and director from 1934 to 1947, and from 1934 until his retirement, he was head of the Department of Education.

Morlan started and was director of the guidance and counseling program from 1942 to 1952. He was a pioneer in the area of reading improvement, starting the first course of its kind in Texas colleges at ACU in 1941. He was one of the first members of the faculty to believe we should have athletics and, for a while, he served as a coach.

His contributions to religious life on the campus were numerous. He began the custom of student-directed devotionals on a regular basis during the Chapel programs. He began the Tuesday night student devotional on the steps of the Administration Building, and in 1955 he initiated the annual Bible Teachers' Workshop.

Morlan married the former Alma Adams in 1916. Their children are G.C. Morlan, Jr. ('39), Alice Floyd ('42), Barbara Gray ('45), Dr. John Morlan ('52), and Alma Price ('55).