Morris, Don H 1966, 1972

Don Heath Morris, former President of Abilene Christian College, relates events from his family history, discusses the history of the Church of Christ and the role of ACC (now ACU) in the development of Abilene, and reviews his career as an educator.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Don H. Morris

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: May 17, 1966; May 13, 1972

Location: Abilene, Texas

Interviewer: Mrs. G. D. Foster, Fred Carpenter

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Family history, Christopher Heath (1849), Great-grandfather, Parents, De Soto, Texas, Education, De Soto (again), Graduation (1918), Thorp Spring, Texas, Thorp Spring Christian College (1920), To Abilene, Texas (1922), Abilene Christian College, Graduation (1924), Employment, Book salesman, Teaching career, Abilene High School (1924), Marriage, Alberta Allen (November 1, 1924), Children, Abilene Christian College (again), President (1940), History (1906), Founders, Move (1929), Student population, Walter H. Adams, Lawrence L. Smith, Future development, Rotary Club, Don Morris Day.

Tape 1, Side 2: Blank

Tape 2, Side 1: Family background reviewed, Allen Nance, Christopher Heath and Rowan Morris, settled in Dallas County in 1852, Speculates on reasons for migration from Mid-West, Review of grandfather’s (Thomas A. Morris) career, De Soto, Texas described, Date of birth and early life recalled, Remembers Dallas c. 1909, Early Dallas business houses listed, Recollection of Dallas hotels, Nance family discussed, Relates Civil War stories, Cites grandfather’s (David Nance) interest in land and business.

Tape 2, Side 2: Grandfather Nance’s career (continued), Distinction made between the Christian (Disciples of Christ) Church and the Church of Christ, Charles Carleton, Addison and Randolph Clark mentioned, Add-Ran University mentioned, Church history (continued), Add-Ran University became TCU, De Soto schools remembered, Explains decision to attend Thorpe Springs Christian College; graduated in 1920, Teaching career reviewed, Comments on illness and return to Presidency of Abilene Christian College, "Design for Development" project discussed, Notes succession of John Stevens to the Presidency of ACC, Recollections of Texas Tech presidents.

Range Dates: 1849-1972

Bulk Dates: 1900-1972

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

---

Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.