Dr. David Morris, a professor of marketing and international business at the University of New Haven for over 20 years, died unexpectedly on April 25, 2008, while visiting Clearwater, Florida.

An innovative poet, author and teacher, Morris strove to connect stories, myths, history, current events, and philosophy to marketing, business, and education. He was an indefatigable innovator of ideas and methods for generating and conveying them. Besides reaching thousands of students directly in the classroom and through his published books and other writings, Morris hosted a remarkable weekly hour-long program on WNHU West Haven 88.7 FM for 15 years. Called Live the Journey (and later The Professors when co-hosted by Prof. Joel Marks), the program featured dialogue with persons from all walks of life.

Subsequently Morris embarked on his final major project of organizing his life’s work on three websites: www.marketingandstorytelling.com, www.irishcelticpoetry.com and www.digitalinstructionaldesign.com. As yet another outlet for his boundless creativity and inquiring mind, the sites were intended to serve as a perpetual avenue by which people around the world would continue to discover and benefit from his ideas. Morris was also a staunch upholder of his Irish heritage, tracing it back to the Celts of central Asia, whom he researched and novelized.

Born on June 17, 1944, in Newburgh, New York, Morris received his Ph.D. in Instructional Design from Syracuse University in 1986, which was the year he arrived at the University of New Haven. He was also a visiting professor in business schools throughout the world, including the Ural Institute of Business in Russia, Cyprus College in Cyprus, and Trinity College in Dublin.

A loving father and trusted family advisor, David Morris is survived by his wife, Dan-Wu, and stepdaughter, Ma Wen Qi; his two children by his first wife, Phyllis, son Hunter and daughter Meaghan; and a niece and sister-in-law. He was predeceased by his parents, Frances Morris and David Morris Sr., and a brother.

A memorial service and celebration of the life of David Morris will take place on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, in the Alumni Lounge of Bartels Hall at 3:00 p.m. Please join us, one and all.

Also, a special scholarship fund in David’s name has also been established as a suitable way to preserve his memory at UNH.