The Hoosier Schoolmaster of the Air

Dr. Clarence “Doc” M. Morgan

The Hoosier Schoolmaster of the Air, Clarence Marion Morgan, began life as a coal miner’s son on Saturday, July 4, 1903, in the home his parents built on “A” Street in Linton, Indiana.  His passion for wireless communication began during his early years in Linton where a telegraph was installed in every home in case of a mining emergency.  These humble beginnings and his thirst for education gave way to his rise as an early educational broadcasting pioneer and his permanent status as the Hoosier Schoolmaster of the Air.

His thirst for education led him to DePauw University as a Rector Scholar, Indiana State Teachers College for his Master’s degree, and Indiana University for his educational doctorate (Ed.D.).  These degrees, and his natural abilities as a ham radio operator, resulted in creation of Indiana State University’s Radio Division, which Dr. “Doc” Morgan headed up from 1934 – 1969.  His students were taught using a combination of classroom study and real world application at commercial radio station WBOW 1230 AM in Terre Haute, Indiana, which resulted in almost professional quality programming.  The excellence of the entertainment-education based program scripts, live program broadcasts, and the overall work of Morgan and his students brought national prestige to the Indiana State University’s Radio Division.  It also brought student job placement in all of the major broadcasting networks and markets across the United States.  

Today, the academic work written about Morgan and his students has won national awards and there is an ongoing effort to restore his place in radio and television broadcasting history.

The above photograph is used with permission and courtesy of Indiana State University Archives.