November 17, 2022- It is with a mixture of great joy and sorrow we announce the retirement of Chief Operations Officer Jim Morgan. Mesalands Community College Board of Trustees with a unanimous vote, bestowed to him the rare honor of Chief Emeritus at the November 15th board meeting upon the nomination by Mesalands Community College President Dr. Gregg Busch.

Mr. Morgan faithfully served Mesalands Community College for twenty-three years in various capacities. Mr. Morgan’s retirement will be effective December 31st . A celebration in Mr. Morgan’s honor will be held December 15th in the commons of building A on the campus of Mesalands Community College. 

Mr. Jim Morgan is a native of Tucumcari, New Mexico graduating from Tucumcari High School in 1961. Following graduation Mr. Morgan enlisted in the Navy serving on six U.S. Navy submarines including 5 “Boomers” (Ballistic Missile Submarine). He successfully served in the Cuban missile Blockade on the USS Quillback SS464.

Following nine patrols out of Holy Loch, Scotland in 1974, he was named Chief of Naval Operations Staff in Washington, DC and then in 1976 assigned to the USS Dolphin AGSS, the world’s deepest diving submarine. In 1979 he attended Trident Missile Submarine School in Bangor, Washington. Soon after, he was assigned as Trident Navigator on the USS Michigan SS(B)N 727. Mr. Morgan retired from the Navy in 1981.

He was then employed until 1999 as Outage Manager with ABB, refueling civilian nuclear power plants. In April of 1999 Mr. Morgan began work with Mesalands Community College as a computer technician II. After twenty-three years we celebrate Mr. Morgan’s dedication and impact retiring as Chief Operations Officer from Mesalands Community College.

At the time of his retirement, Chief Emeritus Morgan, was responsible for oversight of building, grounds, maintenance, auto fleet, construction, project management, custodial services, facility rentals, and served on the President’s executive staff as well as the President’s cabinet. His accomplishments included eventual development of the North American Wind Research and Training Center at Mesalands Community College and led the development of the college’s master plan.

Dr. Busch said, “Jim’s contributions to the College are immeasurable. [His] dedication to student success and service [were] exemplary. I am going to miss Jim as one of my key advisors and friends, but I am glad that he will return from time to time as a valued contractor and continue his work on solar energy. At the same time, I am happy he will have the opportunity to spend more time with his wife Phyllis, four children, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.”