Alumni Award Recipients
Debbie Morris
Lobo Award, 2009
Who’s the president of UNM’s undergraduate student body? Debbie Morris can tell you. When is homecoming? Ask Debbie. What’s on students’ iPods these days? Debbie knows.
As director of UNM’s Student Activities Center since 1991, Debbie probably knows more about student life – and college students in general -- than anyone on campus. She oversees the chartering of student organizations; helps student groups with their finances; advises student government, fraternities, and sororities; and plans campus events. In short, Debbie and her team keep student activities running smoothly, making life at UNM interesting, educational, and fun.
Debbie moved from Tucumcari to Albuquerque in 1973 following the paths of her father and brothers who also attended UNM. That year marks the start of Debbie’s 36-year connection with the university. She graduated with a business degree in 1977 and later earned her master’s in public administration here.
Contrary to what many people think, Debbie hasn’t worked at UNM her entire career -- just most of it. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Debbie worked for a local bank before returning to work at UNM. She was also employed by the state for a year before coming back to UNM in 1983 to take a job as an accountant in the student activities center. She liked working with students so much that she’s stayed in student affairs ever since.
UNM students have a real advocate in Debbie. She’s committed to giving them an excellent experience while instilling the importance of involvement, community service, and civic engagement. Today Debbie oversees more than 400 student organizations. She’s also counseled countless students on school, careers, and more. She says that her greatest reward is seeing former students have successful, happy lives.
People who know Debbie describe her as loyal, kindhearted, and committed. When she’s not enhancing student life at UNM, she’s bringing happiness to the lives of her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who she calls “the joys of her life.”
Debbie has a goal of seeing every Academy Award winning movie ever made. With only 15 left to see, she’s close to achieving the goal. In that spirit, I thought I’d sum up Debbie’s success using titles of Academy Award-winning movies. A few that come to mind are: The Champ, A Beautiful Mind, The Incredibles and As Good As It Gets.
We don’t have an Oscar for Debbie, but we are very proud to present her with the Lobo Award in recognition of her dedication to UNM students and her outstanding personal service to the university as a whole. Thank you, Debbie, for making UNM a better university for all of us.
