Hall of Fame
Dr. Joe Morgan was a leader in the athletic development of both Austin Peay and the Ohio Valley Conference during his 14 years as University President. Dr. Morgan became APSU’s fourth president in the Fall 1963. He retired in January 1976. In his tenure, Dr. Morgan not only was known as an educational innovator but was highly respected by faculty and students alike. His warm personality, hard work and devotion were trademarks and influenced all University life. As a result of his leadership and guidance, the University witness unprecedented growth, the enrollment increasing from 2,200 to more than 4,000, the faculty almost doubling and the budget quadrupling. Many of today’s existing buildings were constructed during his tenure, including the University Center, named in his honor. Recognizing the importance of athletics, Dr. Morgan spearheaded the drive behind the Winfield Dunn Center and Governors Park construction and re-surfacing Municipal Stadium with Astro Turf. He regarded athletes first as people, second as students and third as athletes. From an administrative level, Dr. Morgan was highly respected for his honesty and integrity. This great respect was demonstrated when the Ohio Valley Conference selected him from among its first class of Hall of Fame inductees in 1977. Dr. Morgan died on May 31, 1988 in Nashville.
