Sequel - Fall 2007 - (Page 28) news DONOR PROFILE: Miles and Mary Morris By Rodney Hansen After 46 years in business, Miles and Mary Morris recognize the great importance of community support. With the sale of the property that has been home to the family-owned and operated Morris Motors, the couple decided to make a $1 million cash donation to the UVSC School of Business and Auto-Diesel Department. The original location of Morris Motors was along 500 West in Provo across from Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. In the beginning, Morris Motors started out as a gas station with service bays and a small sales showroom. The business evolved over the years with franchises from General Motors, American Motors, Jeep and Chrysler. Mary estimates the dealership has sold more than 180,000 new and used vehicles. A relationship with UVSC began several years ago with Miles serving in an advisory capacity for the automotive department. It continued when Mary received what she thought to be a “You may have won,” letter from Reader’s Digest. Upon further review, the word “may” was missing. Mary had won a $15,000 drawing from Reader’s Digest. Miles suggested establishing a scholarship, something that would last over the years. In 1997, they established the Allen Daryl Morris and Michael John Murphy Memorial Endowed Scholarship, named for two of their grandsons. “The community has supported us all these years and now we can afford to give something back,” said Miles. “Our hope with our donation is to further the education of a great number of students in the fast-paced areas of business and automotive technology. We want to give youth an opportunity to go on to bigger and better things.” According to UVSC School of Business Dean Stanley Jenne, the Morris family has built a legend in local business and, through their generosity, has established a legacy for higher business education. Jenne feels the Morris family is a role model for how to run a principles-based business. Both Mary, a member of the advisory council for the School of Business, and Miles acknowledge that their contributions to UVSC are most beneficial to the community. The major portion of their donations provides endowment funds to bridge the gap between ever-increasing demands for academic excellence, keeping pace with technology and limited sources of funding. “It’s important for those who may not have educational aspirations to see the importance of a college education,” Mary said. “We believe education is the key to future success. Never has there been a time where having an education is more important. Establishing endowment and scholarship funds gives us much pleasure. It will last forever.” In Fall 2005, the Morrises pledged another $500,000 toward UVSC’s new library, to be completed summer 2008. Their visionary contribution has provided support for UVSC’s push toward university status and helped speed the process along. 28 FA L L 2 0 0 7 utah valley state college alumni magazine PHOTO BY JACOB SCOTT
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