THOMAS MORRIS

MORRIS--Thomas Q. The American University of Beirut Board of Trustees and entire AUB community deeply mourn the loss of our chairman emeritus, dear friend and wise counselor, Dr. Thomas Q. Morris. Born in Yonkers, New York in 1933, Morris passed away in Delhi, New York on December 28 after a brief illness. Morris was a visionary leader whose sound judgement, expertise, and steadfast support helped to guide the AUB community and its university and medical center through turbulent times over nearly a half century. Dr. Morris was unwavering in his dedication to improving clinical practice, medical education, and public health. After a tour of duty in the US Air Force (1962-64), Morris spent 50 years at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center (now New York Presbyterian Hospital) and at Columbia University P & S. Morris served Columbia in many high level positions, including president and chief executive officer of the Hospital (1985-1990), acting chairman of the Department of Medicine and associate dean of academic affairs, vice dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine, vice president of health sciences, and interim dean for clinical and educational affairs. In 1982, Morris visited the AUB campus, tasked by the New York State Department of Education to evaluate renewed accreditation for AUB's medical school. Impressed by intact academic and administrative programs; a hospital handling large numbers of casualties; and remarkably capable, resourceful, and resilient people leading productive lives despite chaos and deprivation, Morris joined the AUB Board of Trustees. Throughout four decades serving AUB, from trustee to chairman emeritus, Morris helped grow and develop the university and its medical center. Morris spearheaded efforts to transform the AUBMC complex. He worked to expand graduate programs which led to AUB's accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 2004. In 2009, Morris was awarded AUB's two highest honors: a doctorate of humane letters and the university medal. In addition to his service to AUB and Columbia, Morris chaired the Board of Trustees of the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, the New York Academy of Medicine, and the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes of New York. Morris was a trustee of New York- Presbyterian Hospital, the Gladys Brooks Foundation, the Clark Foundation, and trustee and president of the William J. Matheson Foundation. In addition to his AUB honors, Dr. Morris was the recipient of the New York Academy of Medicine Academy Plaque, Columbia University Alumni Metal for Conspicuous Service, the gold medal for Meritorious Service from the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Association of the Alumni. Dr. Morris is predeceased by his wife Jacqueline Ingram Morris. He is survived by his children Thomas, Amy, and Mary Anne and by two grandchildren Grace and Thomas.