James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
880 Madison Drive MSC 1704 Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807 Telephone: (540) 568-3612 library-special@jmu.edu URL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/
Peter Watt, Tiffany Cole
Repository
James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
Identification
SC 0215
Title
Lee Morrison Papers 1946-2012
Quantity
1.32 cubic feet, 4 boxes
Creator
Morrison, Lee (Lonnie Leotus), 1926-2015
Language
English
.
Abstract
The material present in this collection comprise the personal papers of Dr. Lee Morrison. These files contain materials from
conferences, speeches, diplomas and awards, photos, reports on women's issues in sports and education, and personal reflections.
The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library.
For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this
collection.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Lee Morrison Papers, 1946-2012, SC 0215, Special Collections, Carrier Library,
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Lee Morrison in October 2012.
Processing Information
In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering
campaign in 2017-2019. This collection was previously cataloged as SC 5041 . This collection was rehoused in January 2020 and slight alterations were made to finding aid.
Appraisal
Four boxes of trophies, plaques, awards, and realia were not retained by Special Collections.
Dr. Lonnie Leotus "Lee" Morrison (1926-2015) was a professor, coach, and administrator at Madison College starting in 1954
until she retired in 1989. She graduated from Georgia State College for Women in 1948 with a B.S. in Education. She then went
on to get her M.A. from George Peabody College for Teachers in 1951. After acquiring the position at Madison College, she
received her doctorate at Indiana University in 1964. In 1967, she became the Coordinator of Women's Sports for Madison College.
From 1972 until her retirement in 1989 she served as the Associate Director of Athletics for James Madison University. Dr.
Morrison dedicated her professional career to promoting equality in collegiate sports. After the passage of Title IX, an educational
amendment that banned sex discrimination in any program receiving federal aid, she was still involved in many organizations
that fought to end sex discrimination in school athletics. She was a member of the Virginia Association for Girls and Women
in Sport and a founding board member of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), for which she later
served as president. She worked on numerous committees at the state, regional, and national level for the National Association
for Girls and Women in Sport. She also served on President Ronald Carrier's Think Tank on Women's Issues at JMU. Throughout
her career she won many awards for her dedication. After retirement, she helped establish the Morrison-Bruce Center for the
Promotion of Physical Activity for Girls and Women on the JMU campus. The Morrison-Bruce Center is named in honor of Dr. Morrison
and Dr. Patricia Bruce, professor of physical and health education at JMU from 1961-1989. Morrison and Bruce were colleagues,
friends, and long-time companions.
The Lee Morrison Papers, 1946-2012, comprise the personal and professional papers of Dr. Lee Morrison. These files relate
to conferences, speeches, diplomas and awards, photographs, reports on women's issues in sports and education, Title IX, President
Ronald Carrier's Think Tank on Women's Issues at JMU, and personal reflections. There are also transcripts of interviews conducted
by Chuck Walcott, Virginia Tech professor of political science, with Lee Morrison dated 1996.