HENDERSONVILLE, NC – Sigma Tau Gamma Headquarters has learned that 37th National President Thomas “Tom” C. Morgan, Southeastern Louisiana ’81, entered Chapter Eternal on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Tom served as National President during one of the largest periods of growth in Sigma Tau Gamma history and was pivotal in Special Olympics becoming our national philanthropic partner.

Tom was initiated into Sigma Tau Gamma on December 17, 1981. During his time as an undergraduate in Hammond, Tom served in three executive cabinet positions for Phi Chapter at Southeastern Louisiana. He first served as Vice President of Finance in 1983, then Vice President of Membership in 1984, and finally as Chapter President in 1985. Also, in 1985, Tom was selected as the Ellsworth C. Dent Man of the Year Award recipient, one of only two Phi Chapter members to receive the honor. As an undergraduate, Tom served his university as Student Government Association (SGA) President and held numerous other campus positions.

Tom served two separate terms as a Foundation Trustee, served as Regional Vice President, and was on the Fraternity Board of Directors for 10 years from 2008 – 2018. Tom presided over the William P. Bernier Grand Chapter in 2014 held in New Orleans, LA. He was honored with the Winebrenner Distinguished Fraternity Service Award in 1986.

Under his leadership as 37th National President, Sigma Tau Gamma saw record growth. The chapters of Epsilon Upsilon at Virginia Tech, Epsilon Phi at Alabama, Beta Xi at Winona State, Epsilon Chi at Auburn, Beta Theta at Purdue, Gamma Phi at Southern Indiana, Epsilon Tau at UNC Charlotte, Kappa at UW – Whitewater, and Epsilon Psi at Oklahoma State all earned their charters during Tom’s term. Also, during his presidency, the Zeta Beta Chapter at Cincinnati, the Zeta Alpha Chapter at Arizona State, the Gamma Zeta Chapter at Northern Arizona, and the Zeta Iota Chapter at Washington State were all installed.

One of Tom’s proudest achievements though was being the Big Brother for 34th National President Chris Mauer, Southeastern Louisiana ’86. Chris was there for Tom in life, and Chris was one of Tom’s “Phi Guys.”

The lasting impression Tom wanted to leave on Sigma Tau Gamma was that we should continue to grow and to serve others.

“At every stage of our lives, we should be growing. When we take on responsibilities and obligations, we face challenges… we learn and grow. We care about more than ourselves. We exist for the benefit of our fraternity, college, community, and country. Our service to others defines our character both individually and as an organization. Whether you are young or old, by taking on that challenge and throwing yourself into the fraternity, you will be better for the experience.”

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The family has asked that all gifts be made in Tom’s honor to the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation or to the athletes of Special Olympics. Gifts can be made online at www.sigtau.org/donate by completing the tribute information near the bottom of the donation form. If you would like to make your gift via check, please make payable to Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation and then mailed to Sigma Tau Gamma’s gift processing center at, PO Box 2187 Columbus, GA 31902-2187. Please include “In Memory of Tom Morgan” in the memo line of the check.

If you have any fond memories, stories, or accounts of Tom, Headquarters and Staff would love to hear from you. Please email noblemen@sigtau.org with the subject line “Tom Morgan Memory,” so that these beloved stories can be saved and used at a later date.

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“I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have met and become friends with Tom.  In the fall of 1997, I scheduled an accounting class at night taught by – Thomas Morgan.  Tom had already started growing his now-famous beard and I didn’t immediately recognize him from the composites that hung up in the Phi Chapter House.  In the second class, I wore a Sig Tau shirt and we introduced ourselves after class.  We would visit for a few minutes after each class and then go our separate ways. Tom and I were fortunate enough to serve on the National Board together for 4 years.  I never would have imagined two Phi guys would get to serve together for our brotherhood and to accomplish what we did during that time.  Through it all, Tom gave wisdom and outlook on life that we as a Board could not have succeeded without. I am a better man and Sig Tau because of having known and been friends with Tom.”

• Philip Jeanfreau III, Southeastern Louisiana

“Sigma Tau Gamma lost a great champion in the passing of Brother Tom Morgan.  Tom was someone who believed in the big picture, while also making those small personal connections between Brothers.  Tom would always reassure me that it’s okay to have pride in your Chapter, and where you come from, but, that we work hard to better the lives and experiences of all Brothers in Sigma Tau Gamma.”

• Josiah D’Albini, Emporia State

  “Tom loved our fraternity and all the historical aspects of it, he loved our chapter and our brothers and he served in every capacity he could all the way through to his passing.  Tom is Sig Tau for life, may his legacy live forever.”

• Fraternity Board of Director Paul Phillips, Southeastern Louisiana

“Tom and I laughed, cried, collaborated, conspired, argued, and celebrated together. Fraternity is a unique bond. Brothers are the family you choose. Tom would not want us to mourn (well, maybe a little). He would convey the belief the soul is eternal and He’s not really gone, not as long as we remember him and celebrate.”

• Foundation Chairman Shawn Kelly, UW – River Falls

“Tom and I met in Wagner OK at the 1984 Conclave and we really hit it off. We became close brothers as young alumni, me on the Sig Tau staff, and him as a volunteer. Years later we served together on the national board, and both became national president. It is, it should be, a classic Sig Tau story of the life-long connection. He recently told me that his underlying drive in seeking leadership positions is about more than just holding a title, but really about being in a position to “get good things done.” He worked tirelessly, oftentimes behind the scenes to drive plans for a national housing company and to modernize our constitution while retaining our true identity and values. I will miss him dearly.”

• 32nd National President John Heiman, Central Missouri

“Tom Morgan’s Sig Tau Brothers will fondly remember his boisterous laugh, sly smile, and penchant for engaging in lengthy debates. Generations of Noble Men will feel his deep love and passion for Sig Tau as a result of his lengthy service to the Fraternity, Foundation, and, perhaps most notably, his success in helping create and establish the WPN Housing Company.”

• 38th National President Alyx Parker, Illinois

“Tom’s passing is a huge loss for myself and the entire Sig Tau family.  In every interaction I ever had with Tom over the last 15 years, Sig Tau was always part of what we talked about, even in our last conversation…  His love for the members and the organization was something you could instantly feel anytime he walked into a room or picked up the phone to chat.  Tom’s sense of humor, infectious laugh, friendship, and willingness to help will be dearly missed, but his legacy and impact on the fraternity will live on.”

• 39th National President Jonathan Proehl, UW – River Falls

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ABOUT SIGMA TAU GAMMA FRATERNITY
Founded at the University of Central Missouri on June 28, 1920, the organization will commemorate its 100th Anniversary in 2020. With a presence on 81 campuses in 29 states, our membership includes more than 2,700 undergraduate men and 63,000 living alumni. The Headquarters, which is home to the Fraternity, Foundation, and WPN Housing Company, is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, 12 miles from the center of downtown. Visit https://sigtau.org for additional information.