Throughout his career, Frank Morris ’61 used his political science major to advance African American civil rights through education.

Get to know Morris:

  • He’s included in the History Makers series, the nation’s largest African American video oral history collection, housed in the archives of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. 
  • One of his proudest civil rights achievements is his local activism, including organizing demonstrations that led to changes in local policies and awareness. 
  • He’s earned awards from civil rights organizations in Montgomery County, Md., Evanston, Ill., and Tacoma, Wash.
  • Morris helped nine historically black graduate schools earn institutional aid through Title III of the Federal Higher Education Act by testifying before Congress. 
  • He was the dean of graduate studies and research for 10 years at Morgan State University, where he brought several additions to campus: James Forman Sr., a prominent leader in the civil rights movement, as a professor; Robert Hill, a National Urban League researcher, as research director; and Lisa Delpit, a MacArthur Genius Fellowship winner, as a researcher. 
  • As executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, he oversaw public policy research.  
  • Morris served as a senior foreign service officer for the Agency for International Development in the State Department and was chief of planning and policy analysis for the Federal War on Poverty Agency from 1977–79. He received the Department of State’s second-highest honor for overseas service.
  • He was a founding member of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. 
  • Now retired and living in DeSoto, Texas, he enjoys playing in his local bowling league and singing with the Silver Serenaders of Texas, belting out everything from southern gospel to Broadway show tunes. He also has an extensive collection of art from artists in the Caribbean and Africa.
  • The Education of Frank Morris