2008 Woodie Awards
Henry Morris wins annual Service to Mankind award
by Leah Christensen
Issue date: 8/28/08
Section: Campus News
Henry Morris has been a staple within the Mankato community since moving to the area 18 years ago. Now he's being recognized for it.
The Key City Sertoma named Morris the 2008 Service to Mankind winner. Every year the local Sertoma Club honors the person who has shown the greatest contribution to the community.
Morris is the executive outreach director for the Extended Learning Center at Minnesota State. His community involvement has been extensive over the past few years and includes volunteer work at the United Way of Mankato and North Mankato, the YMCA and the Girl and Boy Scouts of America.
Morris said that through his work he gains a sense of honor and pride.
"It's a nice feeling to be recognized by colleagues, peers and friends," he said.
And his peers, along with other members of the Mankato community, have taken notice.
"Henry exemplifies the hundreds of MSU employees who make Mankato a better place to live through their unselfish volunteerism," President Richard Davenport said in a recent statement.
Morris has been at MSU since 1990 where his work, both at and outside of the university, has been appreciated.
"Henry is an extremely dedicated member of both the campus and the Mankato community," MSU Media Relations Director Michael Cooper said.
Morris' eagerness for helping others was instilled in him at a young age. He explained how his family was always involved in the community. Being the youngest of seven children, Morris would have little choice when his mother would drag him to volunteer at school, community centers and church functions.
This early time spent helping others must have left an imprint on Morris, because from then on, his involvement with the community only grew. In high school, Morris was part of the Big Brothers and Sisters program at the YMCA and he continued to volunteer throughout college.
When he came to MSU Morris was asked to become part of the United Way, where he later served as board chair. Through the United Way, Morris transitioned into working with other organizations. As the years passed in Mankato, he became swept away with these other programs.
Morris said his next big undertaking will be working at MSU's new 7700 France facility. There he will help run the center and boost enrollment as well as meet the educational needs of Minnesota residents.
The change of location, however, will not hamper Morris' drive to help the public. Morris explained he hopes to always be involved in some way with the community.
"You don't always think about what you do-you just do it," he said.
Leah Christensen is a Reporter staff writer
The Key City Sertoma named Morris the 2008 Service to Mankind winner. Every year the local Sertoma Club honors the person who has shown the greatest contribution to the community.
Morris is the executive outreach director for the Extended Learning Center at Minnesota State. His community involvement has been extensive over the past few years and includes volunteer work at the United Way of Mankato and North Mankato, the YMCA and the Girl and Boy Scouts of America.
Morris said that through his work he gains a sense of honor and pride.
"It's a nice feeling to be recognized by colleagues, peers and friends," he said.
And his peers, along with other members of the Mankato community, have taken notice.
"Henry exemplifies the hundreds of MSU employees who make Mankato a better place to live through their unselfish volunteerism," President Richard Davenport said in a recent statement.
Morris has been at MSU since 1990 where his work, both at and outside of the university, has been appreciated.
"Henry is an extremely dedicated member of both the campus and the Mankato community," MSU Media Relations Director Michael Cooper said.
Morris' eagerness for helping others was instilled in him at a young age. He explained how his family was always involved in the community. Being the youngest of seven children, Morris would have little choice when his mother would drag him to volunteer at school, community centers and church functions.
This early time spent helping others must have left an imprint on Morris, because from then on, his involvement with the community only grew. In high school, Morris was part of the Big Brothers and Sisters program at the YMCA and he continued to volunteer throughout college.
When he came to MSU Morris was asked to become part of the United Way, where he later served as board chair. Through the United Way, Morris transitioned into working with other organizations. As the years passed in Mankato, he became swept away with these other programs.
Morris said his next big undertaking will be working at MSU's new 7700 France facility. There he will help run the center and boost enrollment as well as meet the educational needs of Minnesota residents.
The change of location, however, will not hamper Morris' drive to help the public. Morris explained he hopes to always be involved in some way with the community.
"You don't always think about what you do-you just do it," he said.
Leah Christensen is a Reporter staff writer
Be the first to comment on this story