E.C. Glass foundation paying for faculty leaders

By Annie McCallum
Lynchburg News & Advance
Published: September 2, 2008

The E.C. Glass Foundation wants to help teachers get what they need to pursue leadership, and the foundation wants to do it while celebrating the tenure of a Glass legacy — Susan Morrison.

Morrison, who retired last year after more than a decade as the school’s principal, was for many the face of E.C. Glass. Now the E.C. Glass Foundation has set up the Susan D. Morrison Leadership Development Fund.

“I think that certainly the foundation is interested in supporting all aspects of the teachers at E.C. Glass whether that be staying as a teacher or wanting to go into an administrative role,” said Helen Gilmer, foundation secretary.

Morrison was the first woman high school principal in the city, the second-longest-serving Glass principal and the first Glass alumna to serve as principal. Gilmer said the foundation wanted an appropriate way to honor Morrison.

“Susan has been a great leader at E.C. Glass and was a great role model for teachers, she was a teacher herself there,” Gilmer said.

Teachers could receive money to attend conferences, receive assistance if seeking national certification or take advantage of educational opportunities needed to become administrators.

Davis Von Oesen, Glass Foundation board member, said Morrison was instrumental in getting the foundation started and the fund is a fitting way to honor her commitment and dedication to the Glass community.

Von Oesen said it is the foundation’s first permanent fund and first named fund.

“We would like to see future administrators and department heads be developed through their use of the fund,” Von Oesen said.

What does the fund’s namesake think?

“I’m very thankful. I don’t feel I necessarily deserve it, but I’m thankful for it,” she said.