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Five Million Dollar Gift Given to GSC by Morris Family
Mon Mar 31, 2008


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2008

For more information:
Bob Edwards
Public Relations Department Assistant
Glenville State College
Glenville, West Virginia
(304) 462-7361 ext. 7610

The Morris Family Gift

Glenville, WV-- I.L. and Sue Morris have announced a gift of $5 million to Glenville State College, the largest private gift in the history of the college. The gift sets in motion Transforming Lives Now, a capital campaign to raise $10 million for strategic college programs. Morris, chair of the Transforming Lives Now Steering Committee, announced the gift as a challenge gift to enlist friends of the college, alumni, and community members in charting a new level of private and public partnership. Morris believes that a successful campaign can propel Glenville State into becoming 'the best small public liberal arts college in the country.'

Glenville State College president Peter B. Barr, accepting the challenge gift, spoke of a legacy and the philanthropy of the Morris family. “Ike and Sue Morris are totally invested in Gilmer County and Glenville State College. Their gift is a magnanimous gesture of 'giving back' to the college and to the community. I have never seen anything like it. Their legacy is a legacy shared by many who have roots in Glenville and Gilmer County and who have benefited from Glenville State.”

"Gilmer County has always been very good to me. There is absolutely nothing anyone could do to make me leave. I want to help make it better, especially for the young people," said Ike Morris.

"Glenville State College has brought a great sense of pride to the area, and we have always felt the importance of giving back to the community. Even when my parents didn't have a lot to give, I grew up watching them give back what they had. Our gift honors a college and a place that has truly transformed countless lives for 136 years,” said Sue Morris.

The campaign, the largest fund-raising effort in the college's history, will continue through June 30, 2009. The public phase of the campaign will begin in the fall. Funds raised through the Transforming Lives Now campaign will support the academic, physical, and athletic needs of the college and respond to the college's commitment to regional economic development.

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