An Interview with Terri Morris
Q: Tell me about your Baylor experience.
A: Well I grew up hearing about Baylor even though I came from a family of Aggies. I have an aunt and uncle that worked at Baylor, and they were very involved. Once I visited, I fell in love with the campus and the overall feeling. I knew right away that this is where I wanted to be.
Q: Did you meet your husband at Baylor?
A: Believe it or not, the very first night that I moved in, I was in the dorm sitting on one of the couches, and in walked John, my future husband. At the time, I didn't know who he was, but there was something about him that was different.
At the end of the first semester, we began to date. I was a transfer student from Houston Baptist, so I was a year older than everyone. I chose to live in Collins Hall, so I could get to know some of the people. I am glad I did because I met some of my closest friends and my husband.
Q: You have three children, correct?
A: Yes, we do. Our oldest, Meagan, just graduated in August with her master's degree from Baylor. She and her husband, Ty Beard, just moved to Oklahoma. He also went to Baylor. Our middle daughter, Maddie, is a sophomore at Baylor this year, and her major is social work. And our son, M. J., is a sophomore in high school, and he's a football player. We're hoping that he can someday play for Coach Briles. Baylor is in his blood.
Q: What made you want to apply for the position to become the assistant director of the Baylor Parents League?
A: I feel like being a parent is the highest calling that a mom or a dad can have. We were blessed with three children and the experiences that I have had over the years, especially with my daughters' college experiences, have really prepared me for this position to be able to support parents in good and bad situations.
Obviously, it's not all good. There are times when there are tears. There are times when classes are hard and when schedules are tough. I've walked through that with my two daughters, their friends and my friends' children. I have the heart of a parent, and I feel that I could really relate to other parents. I knew that God was calling me to a new season of my life, so this was the perfect fit for me.
Q: What do you think is the best part about being involved with the Parents League from your standpoint, and why do you think parents should be involved?
A: It's a wonderful support system for parents. There are many universities out there that don't provide this type of program. We are here to let the parents know that they are still very much a part of their student's life and education. As parents, they have done an amazing job of raising them, and their students still need them. We want parents to know that their student is important to us, but they are too. We are here to support them from the simplest of questions to the larger situations. Parents are very much welcome here.
Q: If you had one thing that you could express to parents, what would you say to them?
A: Continue to be a part of your child's life. They're either adults or becoming an adult, and they need you. Pray over them every day. Be there for them. You have been there for them up to this point, so just continue to be there and support them.
Q: What has your experience been like as the wife of John Morris, the "Voice of the Bears"?
A: There is never a dull moment in our home. I love the fact that my husband loves his job so much. It's a fun job, but at certain times of the year, I really have to take it one week at a time. Sometimes there is so much going on, especially when the seasons of football and basketball overlap. John is a very busy guy, but he is a family man. It's a crazy ride, but it's a lot of fun.
Q: Have you had any unique experiences or opportunities since he is the broadcaster of Baylor?
A: He's involved in so many different things, so we've met a lot of people. I remember going to Notre Dame and meeting Regis Philbin on the sidelines and meeting Bill Cosby when he came to Baylor to speak. The fact that John's job presents opportunities to meet celebrities and to go places that we might not go if he were not in this position is a really neat thing. He's good at being a representative for Baylor.
Q: Do you have anything to add or to let parents know?
A: I am thrilled to be in this position and to be a part of the Baylor family. I want God to use me to be his hands extended to these parents. It's very dear to my heart, and being a parent is a very important job and not something I take lightly. Parents are very dear to me.
Parents League - Kerrville/Hill Country High School Senior Gathering (5/29)