Margaux Jones
H.C.C. Then and Now: Through the Eyes of Ed Morris
The history of Highline Community College is not just about the campus and the curriculum of the past; it is also about the instructors and how they have participated in the changes that brought us to where we are today. Math instructor Ed Morris has been part of the Highline experience since its earlier years. He is a graduate of Colgate University and attended graduate school at the University of Washington. Morris then went on to teach within the Seattle Public School District before joining the Highline faculty in 1972.
As an African American man coming to Highline in the early 1970’s as the nation moved from the civil rights movement during the 1960’s into the concern over the Vietnam War, Morris might have been expected to refer to his earlier years as difficult. He was the only person that he can remember of his ethnic descent at that time. Surprisingly, Morris spoke of that time here as a time that was comfortable and welcoming. Supported by his colleagues, he always felt he was recognized and praised for his talents. Morris always knew he could just be himself, knowing everyone was there for the same reasons: the students. Morris never felt that race was an issue within the Highline “community.”
In thirty years as an instructor Morris has taught every level of math except the statistics class. Not thinking that the curriculum in math could change too much over time, I was surprised to learn that the Math Department has taken a different road in recent years. There are now more pre-college-level classes than ever before. Originally, the math focus was geared toward those with science majors, where now there is attention to the needs of students with non-science majors as well. The department as a whole is more student oriented.
Expectedly, Morris does feel the students here have changed since he arrived. The students now are more diverse. Morris stated that in 1972 he might have been surprised to see students of non-white descent, but today he walks through campus and sees faces belonging to every race and culture. This statement is proven in the facts. Research shows that the non-white student population is steadily increasing, going from 19.5% in the 1990-1991 school year to 40.7% in the 2000-2001 school year (H.C.C. “Students of Color”).
How does Morris feel the faculty has accommodated the increasing diversity in its students? Prior to eight years ago, Morris felt like there was a lot of talk about meeting the needs of the changed student body but not a lot of action. He felt it was important to help facilitate the needed change, and with his exceptional colleagues, knew sooner or later that the school would see the light. They would become more multiculturally focused. This has indeed happened within the last eight years with the commitment from Dr. Edward Command, Highline president from 1990to2000. Morris spoke highly of Command’s enthusiasm to make turns toward the schools globalism and diversity needs of the campus. Morris feels that Command understood the need to have not only a diverse staff, but also the most qualified. He feels this is how Highline has come to have some of the best instructors in the state.
Why has a person with so much knowledge and dedication as Ed Morris chosen to stay at Highline for thirty years? He has stayed because he believes wholly in Highline and its commitment to excellence and that the faculty prides itself in doing a good job and providing for its students. He sees Highline as a second chance for a lot of students. Where one door has closed, Highline helps students open another (Morris).
What does Morris see in Highline’s future? Highline is going to continue to do what it is doing and not stop; continue to grow and change as times grow and change. Perhaps the college might take further steps to improve the connection with the high schools that feed into the college. Maybe the doors might open for the student body to share ideas and concerns more freely with other college students. Morris also has hopes that the staff will be recognized on a more global level. He states, “People here do innovative things and we need to publish more of that” (Morris).
Ed Morris is an important piece of the puzzle at Highline. Like all the instructors, he genuinely cares that all students recognize and reach their full potential. I know this to be true, as I felt that from him even though this interview was the first time we had spoken. Morris is not only a part of this school’s history, but also a part of its present and its future. He left me with some poignant words that I took to heart: “Success is a peak; there may be valleys but there is always another peak. It is not a destination but a process" (Morris).
