USU INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR RECOGNIZED FOR THIRTY YEARS OF SERVICE

Thoughts of retirement generally conjure visions of lazy days spent in a hammock with a tall glass of lemonade. Or perhaps leisurely sightseeing journeys to exotic locales.

In the case of Morris Whitaker, who recently announced his retirement as director of international programs in Utah State University’s Vice President’s Office for Research, travel to an “exotic locale” might aptly depict his immediate plans. His upcoming endeavor, however, can hardly be described as leisurely.

Whitaker, accompanied by his wife, Marguerite, is headed south of the border where he will serve as mission president for the Mexico City East Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this capacity, he’ll supervise more than 200 missionaries, most barely past their teens.

“It will definitely be a change of pace from Logan,” said Whitaker, an economics professor who joined Utah State in 1970. “Probably, a much faster pace.”

Whitaker was recently honored by Utah State’s Vice President for Research Office for his efforts in developing collaborative research programs linking Utah State with researchers and organizations throughout the world.

“It’s impressive to consider the depth and breadth of the research programs and relationships Morris has helped to foster all around the globe,” said Brent C. Miller, interim vice president of research at USU.

Miller said that, in the previous decade, Utah State secured $41 million in research contracts outside the United States, with the university’s Space Dynamics Lab contributing an additional $50.5 million in international contracts.

In recent years, Utah State faculty members, graduate students and undergraduates have been involved in a wide array of research projects on nearly every continent. From constructing an automated canal monitoring system in the Dominican Republic and appraising road development plans in Sri Lanka to conducting biological studies in Uganda and breeding wheat for growing experiments flown on Russia’s Mir space station, the university’s international partnerships provide valuable opportunities for student participation in cutting-edge research.

Whitaker says establishing research partnerships in other countries involves more than simply logging miles and collecting airport luggage tags. “You need to meet people, learn about their diverse languages and cultures and develop relationships,” he said.

It appears the southern Idaho native will approach his upcoming international adventure with the same philosophy. A unique aspect of his assignment, Whitaker explains, is that the corps of missionaries in Mexico City East includes an equal number of U.S. and Mexican citizens. Additionally, he’ll assist with oversight of an LDS visitors center, staffed primarily by young Mexican women missionaries. “A major objective will be promoting cultural understanding not only with our neighbors but within our own team,” Whitaker said. “We’ll be working to simultaneously build our U.S. missionaries’ Spanish skills while promoting our Mexican missionaries’ proficiency in English.”

Following their service in Mexico, Whitaker says he and his wife plan to return to Cache Valley. “Utah State has been a kind, friendly and nurturing place for me and my family,” he said. “Logan is our home.”