Emeritus faculty Doug Morgan speaking at the Friends of Hatfield Speaker Series last year.
The PSU Foundation and the College of Urban and Public Affairs announced this week that they have received a $1 million estate commitment from emeritus faculty member Dr. Doug Morgan. The gift will be used to support the core activities of the Hatfield School of Government, creating research assistantships for students and new resources for the school’s engagement with local government organizations and public service agencies through the Center for Public Service.
“We are thrilled and honored to receive this generous gift. As a leader, Doug’s remarkable contributions to the Hatfield School helped to make the school’s reputation. This gift will be a game-changer that will allow the Hatfield School to continue to thrive and embody Senator Hatfield’s legacy,” said Jeremy Youde, Dean of the College of Urban and Public Affairs
This gift is the first legacy commitment made to the Morgan Ellis Family Endowment for Community Centered Education, Scholarship, and Governance, an endowed fund created by Dr. Morgan and his longtime friend and fellow emeritus professor Dr. Walt Ellis.
“We believe local governing institutions are the heartbeat of American democracy. They are responsible for the services we care most about. These institutions are seriously under stress, requiring heightened levels of cooperation among multiple governing entities on the ground,” said Dr. Doug Morgan.
Left to right: Dr. Masami Nishishiba, Dr. Walt Ellis and Dr. Doug Morgan
“With its numerous institutes, academic programs and deep connections with the community, the Hatfield School is well positioned to play a community leadership role in fostering interdisciplinary approaches to support community problem-solving. The Morgan Ellis Family Endowment is specifically intended to foster these kinds of cooperative initiatives and I hope my commitment inspires others to include the Hatfield School and College of Urban and Public Affairs in their legacy giving.”
A career bridging scholarship and public service
This gift is especially meaningful as it comes from one of Hatfield School’s own. Over his nearly thirty-year career at Portland State, Dr. Doug Morgan made a profound impact marked by exceptional scholarship, dedicated teaching and transformative service to the field. He established himself as a leading voice in public administration, shaping both theory and practice while mentoring generations of scholars and practitioners.
“His legacy is not just one of academic excellence but of a life dedicated to public service, mentorship, and the continuous improvement of governance structures. His career exemplifies what it means to be a scholar-practitioner, leaving behind a body of work and a community of professionals who carry forward his vision for ethical and effective public administration,” said Dr. Masami Nishishiba, current Director of the Hatfield School and Dr. Morgan’s former student.
Doug Morgan and his late wife Candace Morgan.
Dr. Morgan has additional ties to Portland State through his family. His late wife of 60 years, Candance Morgan, was a national expert on the role of local libraries as the core anchors of our system of democratic governance. Candace taught policy analysis and research in the Hatfield School of Government for more than a decade.
A new era for the Hatfield School
This $1 million contribution comes at an exciting time for the Hatfield School with a recent change in leadership creating new possibilities. In 2024, the College of Urban and Public Affairs hired Dr. Jeremy Youde as Dean. The Hatfield School of Government also has a new leader in place; Dr. Masami Nishishiba has been leading the organization since July 2023. Dr. Nishishiba is committed to improving democratic governance and building public service capacity through the integration of theory and practice.
“As a leader, I’ll be working with our faculty, staff, students and alumni to foster interdisciplinary collaborations, cultivate a shared identity across the Hatfield School community, and forge new partnerships,” said Dr. Nishishiba. “Support from partners such as Doug Morgan and Walt Ellis enable us to do this critical work.”
To make a gift to the Morgan Ellis Family Endowment for Community Centered Education, Scholarship, and Governance, visit this page or contact Katherine Hartner, hartnerk@psuf.org.