Glenn and Suzanne Morris: A Family Show of Support

A FAMILY SHOW OF SUPPORT

SUZANNE AND GLENN MORRIS

Glenn and Suzanne Morris are veteran soccer parents. Their daughter Sydney ’21 has played her entire GPS career, winning Best of Preps last year. But one of their proudest moments happened recently when she was pulled from the game. Not just Sydney, but all the starters actually, after GPS secured a strong lead and Coach Patrick Winecoff sent in the second team.

“The starters became the largest cheer section in the whole stadium, calling girls by name whenever they made a good play,” recalls Glenn. “All of a sudden it was like the team gained 20 cheerleaders. I can’t tell you what it was like to see them. It demonstrates what an amazing culture GPS has. You don’t see that everywhere.”

This feeling is one of the many reasons the Morrises generously support GPS. “We’re big believers in a singlesex education, where girls can be girls and grow and flourish in that environment,” says Suzanne. “They’re challenged in different ways by people who understand them and teachers who know them on a personal level.”

Glenn’s ties to the school go back to the early ’60s, when his oldest sister asked their parents if she could attend GPS. Their dad was starting his own company and explained there wasn’t any possible way their family could afford it. He promised her if she worked hard, he would send her to any college of her choice, which ended up being a small, all-girls school. By the time Glenn was old enough for middle school in 1976, their family’s finances had changed, and he was able to attend McCallie for six years.

“I know it broke my dad’s heart to not be able to send my sister to GPS,” he recalls. “I’ve always been touched by that story and believe it’s worth trying to help other families send their girls to GPS, as well as do all I can to help keep GPS strong, making it a dream for another little girl.”

When it was time for their older daughter, Emma ’16, to decide on schools, the Morrises were not necessarily locked into GPS. That is, until an impromptu school tour during a Potential Parent Breakfast. Suzanne fell ill during the event and had to leave, so Glenn took the tour alone. He happened to pass by former Bible teacher Jane Henegar’s room as she was helping a student with her college essay. There was a level of warmth and attentiveness that struck him.

“I hadn’t had that feeling since I was at McCallie—a teacher finding a way to reach you,” he says. “I don’t think I even realized it at the time how much these teachers are looking at each individual student and always asking, ‘What’s it going to take to bring this girl or guy to their full potential?’”

Today Emma is pursuing her political science degree at Auburn University with plans for law school. Sydney has aspirations of being an engineer and enjoys her time in YoungLife.

“Thanks to GPS our girls are prepared to lead and to lead confidently no matter what they’re doing,” says Suzanne.

Of course, GPS is not the only organization the Morrises support. In addition to Glenn’s being a trustee at McCallie, they give to the Ronald McDonald House, OnPoint, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Bible in the Schools, First Things First, American Heart Association, Bethany Children’s Services, Lifeline Children’s Services, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and Auburn University School of Nursing, where Suzanne is an alumna.

Each organization they support has to align with their core values and biblical principles. And while their contributions to the community are admirable, they humbly insist that their philanthropic role in Chattanooga is comparatively small.

“We’re happy to play a part, but I know so many people who give with more passion or shine more brightly than me, whether that’s through their gifts of time, money, or vocation,” says Glenn. “I see us as members of a team sport, all trying to make Chattanooga a better place. We’re just honored to be on the team.”

Whether they see themselves as starters or not, their support of GPS impacts girls today and in the future.

SYDNEY MORRIS ’ 21

“THANKS TO GPS, OUR GIRLS ARE PREPARED TO LEAD AND TO LEAD CONFIDENTLY NO MATTER WHAT THEY’RE DOING.”