Newly Endowed Scholarship Honors Janet Morris

NCTC is honored to announce the establishment of the Janet Morris Red River Promise Scholarship, a newly endowed scholarship by Frank Morris, a long-serving community leader whose impact on the region and NCTC spans decades. The scholarship has been created in honor of Frank’s beloved wife, Janet Morris. Janet, an NCTC Alumna, has a passion for education and community which inspired this scholarship.

Janet, a Gainesville High School graduate, took a shorthand, typing, and bookkeeping class at NCTC when the college was still named Cooke County Junior College. This class proved to be an invaluable skill in her career. Thanks to this class and her strong work ethic, Janet secured a job which set her on the path to her successful career. The skills she acquired at NCTC opened doors to opportunities and set the foundation for her professional success. In 1970, while attending NCTC, Janet was voted as a Campus Favorite. 

“Frank Morris has long been a dedicated supporter of both NCTC and the broader community,” said Debbie Sharp, Vice Chancellor of External Affairs. “We are pleased to receive this generous endowment in honor of his wife, Janet Morris. This scholarship reflects Janet’s enduring belief in the power of education and serves as a testament to the profound impact one individual can make by investing in the lives of others.” 

“The Morris family has generously supported the college for many years, and we are deeply grateful that they chose NCTC as the place to celebrate Janet’s remarkable dedication to education and our community,” said Dr. Brent Wallace, NCTC Chancellor.

The Janet Morris Red River Promise Scholarship will contribute to the college’s Cooke County Red River Promise endowment which is a last-dollar scholarship initiative that covers tuition and fees for eligible high school graduates in Cooke County, helping remove financial barriers to college. This program also provides students with support services like success coaching to guide them from high school through college completion. By endowing the Janet Morris Red River Promise Scholarship, Frank ensures that Janet’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations at NCTC for years to come.