His Retirement
After Dr. Morgan retired from Indiana State, he and his beloved Ruth moved to Florida where they spent their remaining years. In retirement, they both taught as Florida Atlantic University in Bova Raton for over 15 years.
In 2003, former students and colleagues nominated Morgan for induction to the Indiana Pioneer Broadcasters Hall of Fame and he was inducted in September 2003.
Former Indiana State University Professor Emeritus Joe Tenerelli had this to say about Morgan’s contributions to broadcasting at Indiana State; “He’s the one who had the foresight to realize that we needed well-trained personnel in the radio industry” and “it was he who pioneered the remote studio arrangement with WBOW” (Taylor, 2015).
The ISTC Radio Division was one of the first of its kind, creating landmark programs and curriculum, contributing to educational radio broadcasting history, and affecting the lives of countless students, the Terre Haute community, and its alumni in ways that were and still are relatively undisclosed (Myers, 2016).
Last Studio pic ca 1968, used with permission and courtesy of Indiana State University Archives.
His Students
Many of Morgan’s students went on to do great things, both in front of the microphone and behind it. Wanda Ramey was the first woman TV reporter on the west coast and only the second one in the nation. Myra Janco Daniels built the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts. Dr. Darrell Wible, David Letterman’s favorite Ball State Professor, Bernie Carney, Indiana State’s 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award winner, and more.
Photograph above used with permission and courtesy of Indiana State University Archives.
Distinguished Alumni Bernie Carney and Yearbook
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Mary E. Myers
Additionally, this website and all research work related to Dr. Clarence M. Morgan is done in an effort to restore the Hoosier Schoolmaster of the Air’s legacy. The search for artifacts, such as recordings, awards, promotional materials, paper documentation, etc., like those shown below, relating to Morgan’s time at Indiana State University and WBOW 1230 AM is ongoing.
(Photographs Courtesy of Dr. Mary E. Myers)
If you are an alumni of Indiana State University and studied under Dr. Clarence M. Morgan, Dr. James R. Boyle, Mrs. Ruth Butts Nees, Dr. Joseph T. Duncan or know someone who has, please contact us with your story at hoosierschoolmasteroftheair@gmail.com.
More artifacts…
Kenny White Radio
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Thomas O. Morgan
His Family
Pictured above is Dr. Clarence M. Morgan’s son, Dr. Thomas O. Morgan, who is holding his Dad’s original transmiter/receiver.
Thomas Morgan married Karen Douglas June 13, 1965 and there are many members in the Morgan family now, including grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Tom and Karen Morgan
(Shown below, from left to right, Karen Morgan, Ruth H. Morgan is holding baby Timothy Hentry, Clarence M. Morgan, and Aileen S. Douglas, Karen’s mother.)
First Morgan Grandchild
Dr. Thomas Morgan, wife Karen, and grandson Kyle
They are Clarence and Ruth Morgan’s legacy along with a love of broadcasting inherited by his son. Dr. Thomas Morgan went on to build radio stations, just like his Dad. He is a radio pioneer in his own right, known as the Bluegrass Schoolmaster of the Air for his work at Murray State in Kentucky and just
Family photographs courtesy of Dr. Thomas O. Morgan
Dr. Thomas Morgan at UCF
Just like his father was called “Doc” by his students at Indiana State, Dr. Thomas Morgan is still called “Doc” by those who were his students at the University of Central Florida (UCF) where he taught for many years in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media..
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Mary E. Myers