Alumna's estate supports future teachers in underserved communities

A love of education can ripple across generations, and for Joan Morgan (’73), that ripple is reaching students at Central Washington University today.

Morgan, an English education graduate and devoted teacher and librarian, passed away almost two years ago. Though she initially intended to leave a portion of her estate directly to CWU, she was unable to make it happen in time. That’s when her longtime friend Carl Spears (’74) stepped in. 

“Joan Morgan was a very good friend of mine. The two of us met the first day of school, standing between Beck and Hitchcock Halls, back in 1970,” Spears recalls.

As executor of Morgan’s estate, Spears honored her wishes and gave $100,000 to Central to help her legacy live on.

From this generous $100,000 gift to the Students First Fund, $50,000 has been allocated to CWU’s new rural teacher education internship program. The funding directly addresses the state’s critical teacher shortage, particularly in rural and high-poverty school districts.

These schools often struggle to attract and retain qualified educators, leaving students with fewer resources and less stability. By providing scholarships and support to aspiring teachers through Morgan’s gift, CWU is helping remove financial barriers that prevent students from completing their student teaching in these high-need areas.

This targeted funding makes it possible for future educators to gain hands-on experience in the communities that need them most, increasing the likelihood they will begin their teaching careers there and make a lasting impact.

“Joan was a big supporter of education," Spears says. "She thought an awful lot about Central and wanted to give back. It’s wonderful that we can honor her wishes and help students in meaningful ways.”

The remaining $50,000 of this gift continues to support the Students First Fund, enabling a wide array of programs across campus to empower students, fuel their success, and expand access to higher education. By bridging financial gaps, the fund allows students to seize opportunities they might otherwise miss, from internships to specialized learning experiences.

Central’s School of Education, which houses one of Washington's leading teacher-preparation programs, is uniquely positioned to leverage this support, graduating more than 300 future teachers each year. By targeting resources where they are most needed, Morgan’s gift helps ensure that these students, and the communities they serve, benefit directly from the generosity and foresight of a remarkable donor.

In honoring Joan Morgan’s vision, Carl Spears has created a lasting legacy that connects the past, present, and future. Through this support, students are empowered to follow their passions, communities gain committed educators, and a critical need in Washington State is addressed.

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This article appears in the annual Impact Report, produced by CWU University Advancement.