John H. Morris (BIE 1965) and his wife, Cherie, were on campus October 21, 2010, to meet and dine with some of the current ISyE graduate students who are recipients of the Morris Fellowship. Morris established the graduate fellowship, which has helped ISyE leverage its strength in attracting many of the best and brightest students to Georgia Tech, as part of the Campaign for Georgia Tech in 2000. This year, the Fellowship is providing support to ten graduate students.

One of those students, Jessica Heier-Stamm, said that the Morris Fellowship has afforded her the opportunity to focus on the research that interests her most, namely applying quantitative industrial engineering methodologies to the challenges of humanitarian relief, disaster response, and public health.  Because of the fellowship,” states Heier-Stamm, “I have also had time to devote to service activities that reach future engineers and scientists.  All of these have increased my awareness of the broader research community, including professional development opportunities, contacts, and funding agencies.”

Morris, who stays in touch with the fellowship program, states that he owes a great deal of his success to Georgia Tech and ISyE. “I am very proud and thankful to be able to help ISyE stay number one by helping to attract top graduate students. I am very impressed by the quality and breadth of the students and know they will be successful.”

Morris is retired co-chair of StoneCreek Capital, a merchant banking firm that sponsors leveraged acquisitions and leveraged buildups in partnership with management teams. He is a former trustee of the Georgia Tech Foundation and an emeritus member of the ISyE Advisory Board. Additionally, Morris is a member of the ISyE Hall of Fame and the ISyE Academy of Distinguished Alumni, and he was honored with the College of Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1996.