The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/456562
52 Winter 2015 news from HIGGINS HOUSE A Symbiotic Relationship WPI's History Intertwined with Morgan Family FOR 149 OF WPI'S 150-YEAR HISTORY, there has been a Morgan on the Board of Trustees. From Charles Hill Morgan, appoint- ed by Ichabod Washburn in 1866, to Philip R. Morgan, now concluding his term after 21 years, members of the Morgan family have supported WPI in a multitude of ways. While a number of Morgans attended WPI, far more WPI alumni spent their careers with the Morgan family business—Morgan Con- struction Company. Founded in 1888 by Charles Hill Morgan to design, engineer, and manufacture high-speed long rolling equip- ment for the steel industry, the company re- mained in Worcester for fve generations and after 120 years was sold to Siemens in 2008. "It's been a symbiotic relationship," said re- tired CEO Philip Morgan in a recent interview. "We were an engineering company, and WPI is a school of engineering. What was good for Morgan Construction was good for WPI, and vice versa." As he sees it, "John Boynton established the school to produce an educated workforce, and WPI grew as a source of talent for a whole va- riety of businesses in Worcester." For both the family and the company, WPI has served as "the garden," said Peter S. Mor- gan, Philip's uncle and retired member of the frm's leadership team. "Tech was where we found key people for the company," citing among others Victor Edwards, WPI Class of 1883, whose inventions in the company's early history helped boost its growth. More recently, Michael Eldredge '89 began with Morgan in 1992 and now heads the Worcester long rolling operations within Siemens. "We recognized the value of a WPI educa- tion and having engineers coming out of school ready to contribute," said Philip. After the Plan was implemented, he said, the com- pany found "tremendous advantages" from the new approaches that promoted both teamwork and individual thinking. A WPI education was not a given among family members, but Paul B. Morgan, son of founder Charles Morgan, graduated in 1890. His younger brother, Ralph, had attended WPI as a member of the Class of 1894 and Charles's eldest son, Harry, began classes in 1873, but neither completed their studies. In later generations, Peter Morgan graduated from the School of Industrial Management (SIM) in 1955 and Benjamin Morgan (grandson of Paul B.) earned a WPI degree in 1961. Back in the garden, Peter continued, "it needed cultivation" to ensure a bountiful harvest, "and that's where Morgan-Worcester came in." A foundation created in 1953 to support the company's charitable activities, it served to provide a steady source of funds despite the inevitable market gyrations in the steel industry. WPI benefted in several ways, as Morgan-Worcester Inc. offered matching gifts for employee donations, and underwrote two annual scholarships for children of employees. Service to WPI for several family members has gone far beyond fnancial gifts to include advice, infrastructure, and improved under- graduate learning. In addition to their roles as trustees, both Peter's father, Philip M. Morgan, and his brother, Paul S. Morgan, chaired the board, while Peter served on the SIM board for many years. "One of my earliest memories of my grand- parents," said Philip, "was when they enter- tained the WPI president in their home." Philip M. Morgan and his wife, Marjorie, lived on Worcester's Cedar Street. "In Dad's time," Philip continued, "he would bring in Presidents Cranch and Strauss." For WPI's 75th anniversary, Paul B. Morgan literally built bridges among campus commu- nities. He spearheaded a campaign to erect the bridge across West Street between Boyn- ton Hall and Alden Memorial to honor the late President Ralph Earle in 1940. In turn, Philip M. Morgan ensured more on-campus Philip Morgan points to a model of Morgan Hall as members of the Morgan family proudly look on.