Honorary Alumni Award

Laurie Morris is an avid Central Michigan University Supporter who shares her pride for the University.  Arguably her most significant contribution to CMU is the love and support she showed her family while her husband, daughter, and son collectively earned six CMU Degrees. In addition to the support she gave her immediate family, she also promotes CMU as a college of choice for friends and extended, with many nieces and nephews having attended CMU.

Laurie graduated with an Associate Degree from Macomb Community College and began her career as a Material Analyst within Supply Chain Management for Chrysler Defense and subsequently General Dynamics Lands Systems (GDLS). During her 37-year career, she provided crucial delivery support of material to plants, the government, and the military. Mike and Laurie were excited to see the GDLS Global Campus scholarship, which they supported, established to assist military personnel or their family members obtain a degree from CMU. 

Laurie and Mike Morris established the Morris Family Endowed Scholarship in 2005.  These scholarships initially rotated between Global Campus, the College of Business Administration, and the College of Arts and Media.  Over the years, the Morris family has continued to contribute to their endowment. Their contributions have allowed the initial endowment to be separated into three endowed scholarships, one for each college.

Laurie and Mike’s financial support continues across CMU’s campus. They regularly contribute to the Murray Football Championship Fund, University Libraries, CMU Chippewa Challenge Golf Outing, and the Women’s Connection Student Scholarship. They assisted in funding the Beckett and Morris Project Room, located in Grawn Hall,  as well as a space in the Park Library, named in honor of their daughter, Jamie. Laurie has purchased Warriner Mall bricks for Mike, Jamie, and Scott, and a Grawn Hall brick for Scott. 

Laurie and Mike host tailgates during the football season, inviting various family, friends, alumni, and current CMU students to join in on the festivities. Laurie and Mike regularly attend the Scholarship and Endowment Luncheon to meet and connect with the recipients of their scholarships. Laurie’s family believes she is a true CMU Chippewa, based on her career, financial contributions, and pride for the University lives on through their family scholarships. The Alumni Association Board of Directors is pleased to recognize Laurie in our Alumni Family.