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THEIR STORY
The Early Years
Dr. Jeanne B. Morris
Jeanne Albertha Brown Morris grew up in South Carolina in a family rooted in education and community leadership. Her mother, Miriam M. Brown, was a longtime educator and principal, and her influence instilled in Jeanne a lifelong belief in the power of schooling and early childhood development.
(Visit the Miriam M Brown Website to learn more)
https://www.miriammbrown.com
Jeanne earned her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Spelman College, where she developed both her commitment to children and her awareness of the inequities facing African American communities in the South. Early in her career, she taught music and reading to young children, including those from migrant families. These formative experiences nurtured her passion for inclusive, accessible education and laid the foundation for her future impact as an early-childhood scholar, teacher, and activist.
Jeanne Photos of Early Years
1949 High School Graduation at Avery Institute in Charleston SC
1953 at Spelman College
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1949 High School Graduation at Avery Institute in Charleston SC
Dr. Charles E. Morris
Charles E. Morris, Jr. was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, where his early love of learning quickly became apparent. He graduated high school at just 16 as valedictorian before continuing his education at Swift Memorial Junior College, where he served as salutatorian. He completed his bachelor’s degree cum laude at Johnson C. Smith University, an HBCU that helped shape his academic and social consciousness.
Before pursuing graduate work, Charles taught high school mathematics in North Carolina. His early experiences navigating racial segregation, housing discrimination, and limited opportunities for African Americans deeply influenced his commitment to educational equity and social justice—values that would define his career and community leadership.
Charles Photos of Early Years
At Illinois State University
Jeanne Morris joined ISU as a professor in Curriculum and Instruction, where she focused on early childhood education and improving learning environments for young children. She played a pivotal role in expanding early-childhood programs, including bringing Head Start and related initiatives to ISU’s Metcalf Laboratory School.
Her research, teaching, and community partnerships helped prepare generations of educators to serve young learners with compassion, cultural awareness, and high-quality instruction. Jeanne was also deeply involved in mentoring students and advancing scholarship on educational equity, leaving a lasting mark on the College of Education.
Charles E. Morris, Jr. joined Illinois State University in 1966 as an associate professor of mathematics, quickly becoming known for his leadership, mentorship, and commitment to equity in higher education. His career advanced into major administrative roles, including Vice President for Administrative Services and later Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs within the Illinois Board of Regents.
Beyond administration, Charles championed initiatives that expanded educational access for underrepresented students. In retirement, he continued his service by coordinating SIMaST (Students Integrating Mathematics, Science and Technology) and contributing to ISU’s Center for the Study of Educational Policy. His influence helped shape stronger academic programs, more inclusive student services, and a campus culture rooted in fairness and opportunity.
Their Shared Impact at ISU
Together, Charles and Jeanne Morris became influential voices for fair housing, student support, and social justice on the ISU campus. When discriminatory housing practices left many Black students struggling to find safe, affordable places to live, the Morrises took action—purchasing homes and renting them to students who had been denied elsewhere.
Their commitment to equity lives on through ISU’s Morris Social Justice Library and the Charles and Jeanne Morris Educational Equity Endowment Fund, both designed to support underrepresented students and foster a more inclusive academic community.