CWU’s Governing Board Honors Longtime Trustee Sid Morrison

CWU trustees and university leaders Thursday honored board chair Sid Morrison for his 12 years of service. Morrison, whose second, six-year board appointment ends September 30, has been committed to public service for nearly five decades, serving as a state representative, state senator, U.S. congressman, and state secretary of transportation. In retirement, Morrison serves on a number of boards. He has been a CWU trustee for 12 years, including seven as chair.

At a Spokane reception honoring Morrison, CWU president James L. Gaudino said the word “statesman” was made for Morrison.

“I’m privileged to work with a lot of exceptional, outstanding, inspiring people, but none inspires me more than Sid,” Gaudino said. “His leadership and dedication to the students, faculty, and staff have been critical to the success of the university during a particularly challenging time.”

Board Vice Chair Keith Thompson read a resolution honoring Morrison for his passionate, proficient, and prolific service to the board and to the university during the BOT’s annual planning retreat in Spokane.

As chairman of the board, Morrison led the process of hiring a new president. Over the years he participated in the approval of 20 new bachelor’s degree programs and six master’s degree programs. He was involved in board actions associated with major construction projects such as Barto Hall, the CWU-Wenatchee Higher Education Center, Dean Hall, Hogue Hall, the Music Building, Science Phase II, and Wendell Hill Hall. He also was a valuable mentor to new trustees and encouraged members to get involved in statewide discussions about higher education.

Morrison earned his bachelor’s degree from Washington State College in 1954. After serving in the U.S. Army, he helped manage Morrison Fruit Company in Zillah, Wash., until 1980. He was a state representative from 1967-73 and a state senator from 1974-80. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1980, where he served six terms through 1992. He was Washington State Secretary of Transportation from 1993 through 2001.

In retirement, Morrison is chair of the executive boards of Energy Northwest and the Yakima Basin Storage Alliance. He is vice chair of the Central Washington State Fair Association, and a board member of Federal Engineers and Constructors, and Mainstream Republicans of Washington.

Gov. Chris Gregoire appointed Morrison to the CWU BOT in 2003. Last week’s retreat was his final BOT meeting.

Media contact: Barb Arnott, CWU Public Affairs, barnott@cwu.edu, 509-963-2841