2017 Sara Frazer Ellis Award Recipient

In honor of her steadfast commitment to all-girls education, philanthropy, and service, The Ellis School is proud to name Susan SCHUMACHER Morris ’62 as the recipient of the 2017 Sara Frazer Ellis Award. The Sara Frazer Ellis Award is given annually to an alumna whose achievements represent the Ellis experience and who continue to support the Ellis mission of preparing, empowering, and inspiring each and every girl through an excellent education in an all-girls environment.
After graduating in 1962, Susan attended Mills College in Oakland, California, and pursued a degree in government. But broadcasting was her true calling, and for 25 years, Susan was a familiar voice on radio networks National Public Radio (NPR), Voice of America, and Mutual News. Throughout her illustrious career, Susan has developed and hosted her own finance radio show; been a columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review; produced and hosted the successful radio show, “What Would Your Mother Say?” with students from Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University; and produced and hosted “Talk Back” a weekly podcast with students from Carnegie Mellon University, to name a few. Today, Susan teaches communication skills for the Osher program at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, where she focuses on how to communicate effectively with family, friends and business associates.

Susan has been recognized for her work in broadcasting with three Golden Quill Awards from the Pittsburgh Press Club, two Matrix Awards from Women in Communication, and a fellowship from The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. She has also served on the Board of Trustees for The Ellis School (1998–2006), the City Theatre, WYEP-FM, Planned Parenthood, and Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures.

Susan is married to Dr. James “Jim” H. Morris, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University and current Ellis trustee. Jim actually attended Ellis for kindergarten in 1959, one of the few years Ellis welcomed coed classes in early education, and considers himself somewhat of an alum. Susan and Jim have two daughters who continued the Ellis legacy, Joan MORRIS DiMicco ’91 and Rowan MORRIS Dougherty ’95.

Susan has been a tremendous champion of The Ellis School for over fifty years. Her donations to the Ellis Fund have supported financial aid funds, building renovations and additions, classroom updates, and more. The energy and time she has donated to Ellis are invaluable and greatly appreciated. Thank you, Susan SHUMACHER Morris for your lifelong commitment to all-girls education at The Ellis School.
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