Hugh Morgan majored in marketing at Fairfield, but it was the University’s emphasis on social justice and being a man for others that left the deepest impression on the 1969 graduate.

That’s what compelled the Massapequa, N.Y. native to join the Army after graduation and then embark on a 40-year career with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

“I considered it a public service,” said the father of three, one of whom, Brendan ’95, followed his dad’s lead to the rolling hills of North Benson Road.

Now retired and enjoying life as a non-commuter in nearby Rye, N.Y., Morgan has decided again to turn his attention to others – by becoming the new president of Fairfield’s Alumni Association. Taking the helm on July 1, Morgan said he’s looking for ways to keep alumni together while the Covid-19 pandemic is keeping the whole world apart. 

Morgan first visited Fairfield just before graduating from Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, N.Y. at a time when he and friends were also considering Mount St. Mary College, Siena, Catholic University, and other respected East Coast schools.

“The campus kind of grabbed you,” he said about choosing to attend Fairfield, which was one of the younger schools on his list. 

Starting out as a classics major, Morgan fondly remembers classes with longtime faculty members Richard Regan, PhD (English), Gerald Cavallo, PhD (Marketing), and the Rev. John Bonn, S.J. 

“Back then, there were more Jesuits,” said Morgan, who went on to earn an MBA at Pace University. “They made an impact on me.”

Morgan ended up spending all four years on campus, living with roommate Tom Quackenbush ’69, who joined him at Army Officer Candidate School before starting his own longtime career as an IBM executive. Morgan served two years in Oklahoma and Texas before settling down with his wife, Emily, who specialized in computers at AT&T before pivoting to her current passion, teaching math at School of the Holy Child in Rye.

The couple have three children: Brendan, who graduated from Fairfield in 1995 and works in sales and marketing at Modern Times Beer, a craft brewer in San Diego, Calif.; Beth, an elementary school teacher in Bedford, N.Y.; and Kathryn, who works for Wilton-based pet food company Blue. 

Morgan’s job as a first-level officer in Bank Supervision at the Federal Reserve meant commuting to New York City each day, so the couple decided to raise their family in nearby Westchester County, settling in Rye. While his career had him traveling to Puerto Rico regularly, he also often made time to attend Fairfield reunions or take in a basket- ball match-up. 

“I found it was a great weekend activity, to take my two older ones up to the games,” said Morgan, who now enjoys bringing his young grandchildren to campus for Mass at Egan Chapel followed by a game. 

Not long before retiring, Morgan noticed the Fairfield Alumni Association was looking for board members and he signed up for a three-year stint. Soon, he was re-upping for three more years. 

“I totally enjoy the board meetings,” he said. “You feel as though you can be an ambassador.” 

As president, Morgan leads the board in advancing volunteerism, contributions, and attendance at alumni and University events — something that comes naturally to him. In early July, he presided over his first meeting, albeit via Zoom. He said he’s happy to report alumni chapters near and far are quite active, and he’d love to welcome additional members to the board, to increase both its size and its diversity.

In the coming two years, the newly appointed Alumni Board president hopes to strengthen bonds with younger Stag alumni and build consensus and participation by being open to all viewpoints.

“I want to know what would interest them,” Morgan said of recent grads.