O.J. Morgan, who retired as head of school after 17 years in 2021, was honored by the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools (TAIS). Mr. Morgan received the Sawney Webb Award, which honors administrators who have made outstanding contributions to the field of independent school education.

TAIS held the event at the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center downtown in conjunction with its biennial conference in Chattanooga November 6-7.

TAIS also honored retired Baylor School head, Scott Wilson. Mr. Morgan and Mr. Wilson have several ties, including both working at Baylor and being parents of students at their respective schools. Several guests at the dinner spoke about both retired heads, including current Baylor head Chris Angel, who graduated from Bright School in 1983 and worked with Mr. Morgan when he was a teacher at Baylor.

Sarah Wilson, executive director of TAIS, introduced Mr. Morgan and Mr. Wilson before giving them the awards. They hired her to lead TAIS, and she remarked how much she learned from their guidance and insistence that she make family a priority over the job.

Mr. Morgan, who was head from 2004-2021, guided Bright School through the recession and COVID as well as several building and renovation projects and a successful $4 million capital campaign completed before his retirement. Current Bright Head of School Kristin Watts commented that she appreciated Mr. Morgan's help through the transition and his continued support and friendship.

Mr. Morgan was joined by his wife, Dr. Anne Barron, and children James '05 and Sarah Spence '08, both graduates of Bright School and Baylor School. Mr. Wilson was joined by his wife, Susan, and daughters Georgia and Jane '10, a Bright School graduate.

TAIS Leadership Awards