For release: August 20, 2012
For press information, contact Curt Guenther, 901-678-2843

The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) has honored Morgan Morton, an alumnus of the University of Memphis’ Fogelman College of Business & Economics, with the TBR Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy.  The award is presented annually to an individual who exerts a positive impact on a TBR institution by providing exemplary leadership and financial support.

Morton was presented the award by TBR Vice Chancellor Greg Duckett at a Fogelman College board meeting June 30.

“Mr. Morton is a tremendous supporter of the University of Memphis and its students,” Duckett said. “He gives generously of both his money and his time. The combination of financial support and personal guidance grants students the opportunity to succeed in the classroom and in real-life situations.”

Morton has given back to his alma mater since his graduation in 1963.  He founded a student travel enrichment program to stimulate international and domestic travel for undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. business students. He is also the benefactor of the Morgan Morton Family Scholarship program, which annually awards scholarships to full-time undergraduate business students who are in need of financial support and who are residents of Morton’s hometown of Collierville. 

Morgan Morton holds the award he was presented by the Tennessee Board of Regents for excellence in philanthropy. Also at the presentation ceremony were, from left, Larry Papasan, chairman of the Fogelman College Board; Greg Duckett, TBR vice chancellor, who presented the award; and Dr. Rajiv Grover, dean of the Fogelman College.

“Morgan Morton is personally responsible for positively affecting the lives of hundreds of our students,” said Dr. Rajiv Grover, dean of the Fogelman College. “He has a special place in his heart for this institution and his hometown, and we are very grateful for his continued patronage.  His dedication to the students, his financial generosity and his unwavering support of the College truly make him worthy of this prestigious award.”

Morton spent his career at Proctor & Gamble, Warner Lambert, and Pfizer, managing consumer products, over-the-counter drugs, pharmaceuticals and medical instruments. He retired in 2000 as senior vice president of Pfizer Inc.  Morton has served on boards of the World Self-Medication Institute, the Non-Prescription Drug Manufacturers Association of America and the Grocery Manufacturers Association of America, and as chairman of the Non-Prescription Drug Manufacturers Association of Canada.

Since his retirement, Morton has served in advisory capacities for several not-for-profit organizations, including the University of Memphis, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity and the Bess Crawford Morton White Church Museum in Collierville.

Morgan and his wife, Joanne, live in Kiawah Island, S.C.