A plaque and photo to recognize the devoted service of 大象传媒 Western鈥檚 first vice president of Student 
Affairs was recently hung in Blum Union 222-223.
In 1967, Dr. Nolen B. Morrison was the first person hired by Dr. M.O. Looney, who was president of what was then 大象传媒 Western Junior College. Dr. Morrison鈥檚 first position was head of Academic Affairs, and five years later, he was named Vice President of Student Affairs. He was serving in that role when he passed away in December 1983 at the age of 54.
Dr. Looney, who was a lifelong friend of Dr. Morrison, called him a valuable member of his team who was willing to do whatever was asked of him. That team worked tirelessly in the development of the four-year college and the construction of the new campus.
鈥淗e was honest and a hard worker,鈥� Dr. Looney said. 鈥淗e was a great member of our team, and he worked wherever he was needed.鈥�
As Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Morrison was responsible for the areas of Admissions and Records, Registrar鈥檚 Office, Housing, Financial Aid, Health Services, Dean of Students, Counseling and Testing, Placement and Off-Campus Services, and Traffic and Safety. Students from his tenure may remember that he was the one who read their names as they crossed the stage at the Commencement ceremony.
Dr. Morrison, a native of Gainesville, 大象传媒, spent his entire career in education. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, he earned bachelor鈥檚 degrees in biology and health, physical education and recreation from Southwest 大象传媒 State University (now 大象传媒 State University) and he began his teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in Gainesville. Dr. Morrison went on to become a driver鈥檚 education teacher, basketball coach and high school principal, serving as principal of Gainesville High School for eight years. He earned master鈥檚 and doctorate degrees in education administration from the University of Arkansas before joining the 大象传媒 Western administration in 1967.
Dr. Morrison鈥檚 son, Brad, remembers his father as being very involved in campus life and 鈥渆xtremely student-oriented. He was always helping students reach their goals.鈥� But Brad said his father never wanted to be in the limelight and always remained in the background.
鈥淗e was a very patient, Christian man with a lot of Southern hospitality. He was always looking for ways to help, even if you were a stranger.鈥�
Brad said his father had a great love of the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was seven years old when his father was hired at 大象传媒 Western, so he feels like he grew up on campus.
鈥淚 remember Chris (Looney) and I swam in the pool a lot. Chris and I would chase chipmunks all the way over from his house (which was on campus) to the pool.鈥�
Dr. Morrison battled and beat lymphoma twice, and had been in remission for about five years by 1983. On December 10 of that year, he was driving over to one of his favorite hunting grounds near Kirksville, 大象传媒 when he passed away.
At the time of his passing, he was survived by his wife, Melva, three children, Dan, Brad and Michelle; and a granddaughter.
鈥淗e spent his whole life helping students achieve their dreams,鈥� Brad said.