Source: Kirk Schulz, 785-532-6221, kirks@k-state.edu
Photo available. Contact media@k-state.edu, 785-532-6415
Morris offer letters: http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jan10/morrisoffer.pdf
News release prepared by:  Cheryl May, 785-532-6415, may@k-state.edu

Monday, Jan. 4, 2010

JEFFERY MORRIS NAMED K-STATE'S FIRST VICE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

MANHATTAN -- A marketing and communications professional with experience in both the private sector and public higher education has been tapped to lead Kansas State University's communications and marketing efforts.

Jeffery B. Morris will return to his alma mater as vice president for communications and marketing. He is the first to hold that post and will begin work at K-State Feb. 1. Currently, Morris is chief communications officer for the University of Central Missouri, where he developed an award-winning integrated marketing strategy.

"I am very pleased to welcome Jeff Morris as our vice president for communications and marketing," said K-State President Kirk Schulz. "Jeff is a dynamic, credible leader with experience building brands for both private sector companies and the University of Central Missouri. I am confident he will be effective in bringing integrated marketing to K-State."

At K-State, Morris will supervise media relations and photo services, university publications, the Educational Communications Center, printing services and new units in marketing research and Web design. He will also work closely with licensing, continuing education, College of Agriculture communications, the K-State Alumni Association, Kansas State University Foundation and the K-State at Salina public relations office.

In his current post at the University of Central Missouri, Morris led efforts to rename and reposition the university, serving as a key member of the name change team. He reorganized his office to support integrated brand strategy across all media platforms, eventually assimilating printing services, broadcasting services and Web services. He also led efforts to develop a unified social media strategy across campus units. The institutional branding campaign his team created won a national Gold Medal for best Institution-Wide Branding Program from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education -- CASE -- in 2007, the same year the university's licensing program was named No. 1 in the nation.

Before joining the University of Central Missouri in June 2003, Morris served as company president, executive vice president, senior vice president of sales and marketing and executive creative director for several advertising firms. In those posts he developed effective strategic marketing and communications plans for a wide range of Fortune 500 companies, medium-to-small companies and non-profit organizations.

He has expertise in branding, research, direct marketing, interactive marketing and public relations. He began his career with the Dodge City Daily Globe as a reporter and news editor. He also worked for Kansas Gas & Electric Company in Wichita as a communications specialist and publications editor.

Morris also is active in the community. He is current membership chair and chair elect of the Greater Warrensburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Additional activities include Habitat for Humanity mission team leader and volunteer on two international mission trips; Boy Scout leader; and youth sports coach for soccer and baseball.

Morris is a 1980 K-State graduate with a degree in journalism and mass communications. He earned a master's degree in marketing communications in 2000 from the University of Kansas. His wife, Cynthia, earned a degree in home economics from K-State in 1980.

Morris has two children, Meagan Dye of Lexington, Mo., and Andrew Morris of Manhattan. Meagan graduated from the University of Central Missouri in 2008 with a degree in criminal justice and is employed as a supervisor with the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department. Andrew represents the fourth generation of the family to graduate from K-State, earning a degree in English literature in 2009.