University Historian Dr. Chester 'Bo' Morgan Retires

Dr. Chester ‘Bo' Morgan's work at his alma mater, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is in the books - literally, and, figuratively, two - in which he tells the story of the place that shaped him from boyhood to a career as a historian and educator.

Family, friends and colleagues poured out their appreciation for Morgan May 7 on the occasion of his retirement from The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) History program faculty and as University Historian, during a reception at the Liberal Arts Building on the Hattiesburg campus.

A Hattiesburg native, Dr. Morgan earned a bachelor's and master's degree in history from USM in 1971 and 1974, respectively, before taking a doctorate in history from the University of Memphis in 1982. He was director of USM's Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage from 1982-1989 and assistant professor of history, and then later served as chairman of the Delta State University Department of History.

Former USM President Dr. Martha Saunders in 2008 asked Dr. Morgan to return to USM to write an updated history of the university in time for its centennial celebration. “Treasured Past, Golden Future: The Centennial History of The University of Southern Mississippi,” commemorates the university's 100th anniversary and builds on his previous work, Dearly Bought, Deeply Treasured, which he wrote in conjunction with USM's 75th anniversary.

“I taught my first college class 44 years ago. Looking back, I am amazed by how profoundly that career has been shaped by my multi-layered experience with Southern Miss, as a student, an employee, and a faculty member,” Dr. Morgan said. “I owe much to USM and its people, and I hope that the two histories of the University I wrote constitute at least a down payment on that debt.”

Dr. Morgan is also the author of Redneck Liberal: Theodore Bilbo and The New Deal, and A Priceless Heritage: A History of the Mississippi Power Company, written with Donald Dana. His areas of expertise includes Southern history, Mississippi history, and American intellectual history.

In his praise of Morgan as a colleague and devotee of his alma mater, USM Associate Professor of History Dr. Max Grivno said “You've shown us how to love this university as much as we love you.”