Dr. Morris E. Katz '37, right, was presented the Distinguished Service Award in absentia during the President's Dinner on May 13. The photo above was made of Dr. Katz and Tusculum President Nancy B. Moody when she visited with him a few years ago in Florida.
Dr. Morris E. Katz, a 1937 graduate of Tusculum College and long-time friend of the college, was presented in absentia the Distinguished Service Award during the annual Tusculum College President’s Dinner on Friday, May 13.
Dr. Katz was recognized for his service and support of Tusculum College. The award was presented via video link. Dr. Katz accepted the award surrounded by friends and family. Dr. Katz is a native of Athol, Massachusetts, who now resides in Sarasota, Florida. Tusculum President Dr. Nancy B. Moody and Dr. Kenneth A. Bowman, chair of the Board of Trustees and 1970 alumnus of the college, presented the award.
The Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual or individuals who have a history of outstanding support of Tusculum College. The award is presented at the President’s Dinner, which honors the college’s major donors.
“It gives me great pleasure to pay tribute to a son of Tusculum College, an excellent student and athlete; a man very dedicated to his family and also dedicated to improving the human condition and making the world a better place; to a very humble person who has loved and celebrated life for 101 years and is dedicated to providing others the opportunity for an education, the gift of a lifetime,” said Dr. Moody.
While a student at Tusculum, Dr. Katz excelled in the pre-med program and was a member of the Outing Club, as well as a member of the cross country and swimming teams. He also served as president of his senior class.
Following his time at Tusculum, Dr. Katz interned for a year at W.W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, Conn. Through the support of Tusculum College President, The Reverend Dr. Charles Anderson, Morris was admitted to and subsequently graduated from the University of the Oklahoma School of Medicine in 1941.
As a Major in the Medical Corps, Dr. Morris Katz began service as a Battalion Surgeon in the 28th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, seeing action in the European Theater in World War II. Upon his discharge in 1945, Dr. Katz received additional training at Beth-Israel Hospital and the Boston City Hospital. In July 1950, he opened a practice in Norwich, Connecticut, where his specialty was eye-ear-nose and throat.
Board certified in ophthalmology and otolaryngology, Dr. Katz served the community for approximately 46 years until his retirement in 1987. His professional memberships included the New London County Medical Association, the Connecticut State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Dr. Katz retired to Florida where he served as a medical volunteer for the Senior Friendship Center until recently. In memory of his wife, Freda, Dr. Katz established The Morris E. and Freda Hillson Katz Endowed Scholarship Fund in 1996. Freda was born in 1914 in Malden, Massachusetts and passed away in 1994. With gifts and a generous planned gift by Dr. Katz, this scholarship seeks to support able and deserving pre-medical students and other science majors.
“With his commitment to education and health care in the community and at Tusculum College,” said Dr. Bowman, “Dr. Katz has made a significant impact. His legacy will continue to impact the lives of students for many, many years to come.”