There is a portrait that now adorns the main hallway of Morgan Hall on the Knoxville campus. Perhaps you’ve seen it. It’s of the namesake of the building—Harcourt Morgan—who served as the thirteenth president of the University of Tennessee from 1919 to 1934. Canadian born, he was the first president named to the position who was not a US citizen. An agriculturist and well-regarded entomologist, he turned down offers to serve as president of other universities to devote his career to UT and the state.
I pass by this portrait on an almost daily basis and have become quite fascinated with Dr. Morgan’s story. He was committed to the land-grant mission and coined the phrase that the state of Tennessee is the university’s campus. To this day it’s a phrase you hear often at the institute. Dr. Morgan, who early in his career served as the state’s entomologist, is also the one who encouraged legislators to use the research capabilities and expertise of university faculty to benefit state government.
As you read this issue of Land, Life and Science, I hope you recognize how the UT Institute of Agriculture continues not only to benefit our state, but also the nation and world. You will learn about how our institute is innovating each and every day—whether through the study of hops to support the burgeoning brewery business in Tennessee or a student who is working to identify which pollinators will help protect and sustain the growth of cacao, the source of chocolate, something we all enjoy. And how through UT Extension, we are addressing one of the UT System’s grand challenges to help residents of our state overcome addiction.
Dr. Morgan’s philosophy was called “the Common Mooring,” a belief that it is our duty as members of the human race to improve and conserve the environment for all to benefit. It’s a most noble cause, and I find it gratifying to know that more than a hundred years later this is exactly what we do collectively through our passion and expertise.
I know we would make Harcourt Morgan very proud.
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