Inspire, Summer 2012

got older, she went to church by herself for years. Despite her tough circumstances, Morris insists she didn’t realize at the time that she went without. “Times were different then,” she said. “People worked hard.” Her hard work continued throughout her education and into adulthood. After attending a one-room schoolhouse for the first eight grades, Morris proved herself to be a good student. Thanks to vigilant high school administrators, she attended Geneva College on a scholarship. She was the first person in her family to attend college, let alone consider it. She still has a hard time explaining how this happened, save for God’s guidance and provision. Lofty Aspirations Her education at the small Christian college became a turning point. In need of work, she became the assistant to Doris Nevin, a professor in the physical education department and, according to Morris, “the most wonderful and godly lady in the world.” Through her mentorship and friendship, Morris remembers Nevin’s example of a single, professional Christian woman. Morris embraced sports with gusto winning national championship titles on the rifle team and playing tennis and basketball. “The greatest days of my college life were when we had basketball games and rifle matches in the same week,” she said. Morris went on to earn an M.S. and Ph.D. from Indiana University and taught at the University of Iowa and The Ohio State University. She had always longed to be in medicine, and in 1979, she earned a degree in physician assistant studies, allowing her to realize her dream of working in the medical field. She still practices in Springfield two days a week. Now at Cedarville, the place she’s called home for more than three decades, Morris’ work ethic and love for teaching and sports have culminated into a career that’s as surprising as it is fulfilling. She teaches in the department of kinesiology and allied health, coaches tennis, and helped construct the allied health major to prepare students for graduate study in physician assistant, physical therapy, or occupational therapy studies. Lasting Legacy It’s easy to see why, despite her many accomplishments, Morris most relishes her role as a coach. “As you teach, you’re imparting knowledge,” she said. “As you coach, you’re modeling skills.” Because she so valued Nevin’s mentoring role in her life, Morris continues that legacy with her team. She is currently the only female head coach at Cedarville, a role she does not take lightly. “Who is going to model for these students that it is okay to be a Christian woman and competitive?” she asks. “I encourage the women in my classes and on my team to consider a career in coaching. We need to guard the opportunities we have for women’s athletics.” Some part of Morris will always be that tomboy with the homemade baseball. She still works hard. She still loves sports. She still is grateful. “I’ve lived a wonderful life,” she says with charming certainty. Considering how far she’s come, she says, “There’s no way I should be doing what I’m doing. The Lord had my back the whole time.” Dr. Dee Morris has taught in the department of kinesiology and allied health for more than 25 years. She is an NCCPA certified physician assistant and practices part time in Springfield, Ohio. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Ohio Physician Assistant Association, and the American College of Sports Medicine. As the head coach for women’s tennis, she is active in NCCAA tennis administration. You may contact her at morrisl@cedarville.edu . Nicole (Hanson) Russell ’04 is a freelance writer based in Washington, D.C. She has written for The Atlantic , Parents , Politico , and Christianity Today . You may contact her at russell.nm@gmail.com . CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY 43 facul ty voi ce