John D. Morse, PhD ’89 It is easy to understand why Saint John’s has chosen to honor Dr. John Morse, Dean of Admissions and Freshman Dean. He reflects the mission of Saint John’s, and his life demonstrates the importance of the education of both the heart and mind. John was born in Waltham MA in 1971 to George Francis Morse and Catherine DiBenedetto Morse. The family later moved to Maynard, MA, where John lived until age 14. He attended Maynard public schools with his older brother Andrew (’87), his sister Suzanne Morse, and his youngest brother, Anthony. When John was 14 the Morse family moved to Harvard, MA. John’s older brother Andrew attended Saint John’s, and so his parents decided to send him to Saint John’s as well. John’s parents taught him that intelligent conversation was valuable and welcome. They instilled in him the importance of considering topics such as politics and moral values. George and Catherine Morse encouraged the Morse children to befriend people who were less fortunate than they were. John’s father, a schoolteacher at Hudson Junior and Senior high schools, was someone who was always willing to work with children who were on the fringes. This is something that bears fruit in John’s work today, as he guides Saint John’s prospective students and freshman and “…ensures that all needs, academic, spiritual and social are being met. He recognizes hidden potential in students that may be unnoticed by even their own parents.” (Paul Jourcin ’H) John’s mother began her career as an elementary school teacher. When John’s sister Suzanne was in kindergarten, John’s mother went back to work at Digital Equipment Corporation, where she quickly climbed the corporate ladder in human resources. His mother’s career success made her the primary breadwinner for the Morse household and it had a major impact on their family and John’s perception of what it means to be a father. John observed as his father took on the responsibilities traditionally assigned to women, such as food shopping, cooking and caring for the children. He witnessed his father put his own perceptions of “manhood” aside to do the right thing for his family. Those values and the devotion to family instilled by his parents have shaped John’s commitment to his family today. John and his wife, Elizabeth (Beth) Disciullo Morse, met at Saint Anselm’s College, where both graduated. The two were part of a spring break alternative trip that they both co-founded. John was a Liberal Studies in the Great Books major at Saint Anselm’s, and he knew by the time he was a junior that he wanted to teach. How human beings make the right decisions was an issue that was always front and center for John, and so it seemed logical that he should further his post-graduate studies in philosophy. From 1993 to 1998, John pursued his doctorate in philosophy at Marquette University, attending on an academic scholarship. John began teaching as part of his graduate studies, and he also enjoyed a job as a research assistant. John also became involved in an educational opportunity program, designed to help first generation undergraduate college students. John tutored them and helped them work on study skills in the summer. He assisted disadvantaged kids, helping them integrate into the college environment. In 1996, John married his college sweetheart, Beth, and she left her home in Boston to join him in Milwaukee, while he completed his PhD. Tragically, in 1998, Beth’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and John and Beth realized that they needed to return to Massachusetts to be closer to Beth’s family. After the move, John taught in community colleges in Lawrence and Lowell, and then landed a full time three-year position at Stonehill College. By 2002, John and Beth recognized that Stonehill would not be a tenure track position, and they knew that they wanted to stay in the area. When a position for an academic dean/director of admissions at Saint John’s opened up, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. John had spent time teaching many first year students, and it became apparent that preparation was the key to success. Saint John’s gave him the opportunity to reflect on those times when you are actually able to influence children. The result is a natural empathy with and commitment to his new students and their families. As Stephen Gregory ’67 said, “John is wonderfully sincere. He is a moral philosopher and moral person. This is the core of who he is.” John’s personal study skills, an early environment that supported him as an active learner, along with the chance to follow his dreams and passions made teaching college seem automatic to him, but he realized it wasn’t what he truly wanted. Although he enjoyed teaching college, John readily recognized that college is not where a student’s formation in education takes place. Saint John’s, and the rootedness of being in a community and close to family are important to him. (Today John and Beth have three beautiful children – Sam, Will and Lilly – who are their pride and joy.) John has held the same position since 20022003, occasionally teaching morality classes in the Religious Studies department. John also teaches an evening ethics course at Assumption College. Of his own Saint John’s experience, John says, “One of the aspects of Saint John’s in the 1980s was (that it was) when we started to become an academically rigorous school, sending kids to ivy-league schools. Saint John’s taught me that the life of the mind and the world of ideas are important and exciting. You’re not wasting your time…. It has real meaning for us as human being and how we live our lives.” For John, this excitement and intensity still exist today. John has taken his role at Saint John’s and used it to revolutionize admissions. He has positioned the value of a Saint John’s education as a primary source of appeal to the larger community. He has been instrumental in dispelling myths and in articulating the mission of Saint John’s. John has been transforming the lives of each student he encounters since he began his career. According to John, “Saint John’s offers a nice blending of the message to strive for personal excellence. The way you strive for it is in supporting the entire person in finding their God-given talents.” Certainly John lives each day with this in mind. It is with great pride that we recognize Dr. John Morse as our faculty honoree.