CIU Custodian Honored for 50 Years of Service

CIU Custodian Honored for 50 Years of Service

Lee Morris Sr. (right) being congratulated by CIU President Bill Jones

By Abbey LeRoy

CIU Student Writer

Fifty years after being hired as a teenager to move furniture, Lee Morris Sr. was recognized for his half century of service to Columbia International University during a May 1 Faculty/Staff Recognition Chapel at CIU. 

Morris was hired in 1962 as CIU, then called Columbia Bible College, was completing its move from downtown Columbia to its current location on Monticello Road. 

“I was hired in a temporary position,” said Morris, “just for the move.”  He soon became a full- time custodian.     

Morris, who never imagined working for more than a couple weeks, has seen countless changes on the campus over the past 50 years.

“Columbia Bible College was still being built when I was hired,” Morris said.  “There were no classrooms at that time.  Students met in the basement of Founders (Residence Hall) and in the basement of the Administration Building.  The library was located in the basement of Memorial (Residence Hall).”

Since 1962, campus has grown and so has Morris’ responsibility.  “The demand to maintain the campus is greater because of all the growth,” Morris said.

CIU Director of Facilities Bob Register says the increasing responsibility has been taken in stride by Morris.  Register, who has known Morris for 20 years, describes him as a “faithful, trustworthy follower of the Lord.”

Register summarized Morris’ service to CIU with Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

CIU President Dr. Bill Jones shared Register’s sentiment when he described Morris as “the epitome of faithfulness, not only as an employee, but also as a friend, father, and Christian.”