Friday, April 19 | 2 pm
Public Event
RSVP Preferred
Vern Riffe Center for The Arts
940 Second Street
portsmouth, OH 45662
Reception to follow
The Shawnee State University community is invited to attend the Installation of Dr. Eric Andrew Braun as the 8th President of Shawnee State University. Faculty, students, trustees, foundation members, advisory board members, community partners, and the public are invited to attend.
As part of Dr. Braun’s vision for building a stronger community, the ceremony will include community, faculty, employee, and student awards. The Vernal G. Riffe, Jr. Founder’s Medal will be presented to the family of the late Victor W. Morgan, Sr., an entrepreneur and founder of Morgan Bros. Jewelers in Portsmouth, Ohio.
Vernal G. Riffe Jr. Founder’s Medal
Shawnee State University’s history includes individuals who provided extraordinary service or contributions that led to the creation and development of the institution, starting with Vernal G. Riffe, Jr. It is in his honor that the Founder’s Medal is awarded this year to the family of the late Victor W. Morgan, Sr.
Victor W. Morgan, Sr., entrepreneur and founder of Morgan Bros. Jewelers in Portsmouth, provided leadership as a Trustee of Shawnee State University at every stage of its development from its earliest beginnings. He served on the Board of the Scioto County Technical Institute in 1970, which became Scioto Technical College in 1973. He led efforts for that institution to merge with Ohio University-Portsmouth in 1975 to become Shawnee State General and Technical College. He then served a five-year term on the Board of Trustees for the newly formed Shawnee State Community College from 1977 through 1982. He returned to serve on the very first Board of Trustees of Shawnee State University in 1986, establishing it as Ohio’s youngest four-year university at the time.
During those years, his wife, Betty, shared his support of Shawnee State. Following Vic’s death, Betty and their children, Willa (Tanner), Mark, Rick, and Amy (Fredrickson), along with their spouses — and now their children — continue to help Shawnee State University continue to serve students in our region.
It is because of the unwavering support and contributions that the Morgan Family have made to Shawnee State, its growth, and its service to the community that President Eric Braun and the SSU Board of Trustees wish to honor them during the Inauguration ceremonies on April 19, 2024.
