In Memory of Stephen Morris

I am saddened to share that Stephen Morris, the founder of the Cleveland Schools Book Fund, has passed away. Mr. Morris was dedicated to bringing the love of books and stories to the children of Cleveland through the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. He was a strong supporter of the CMSD teachers and their work, and he wanted to insure that the teachers would always have a rich supply of classroom books to share with their students. He committed his time, resources, and energy to making Cleveland Schools Book Fund a reality. 

I was privileged to work directly with him and be “infected” by his commitment to this program and all of its possibilities. He was particularly complimentary and supportive of the professionals who gave their time to serve on the Board of the Cleveland Schools Book Fund, so I would like to express my gratitude to our current Board of Directors and those who have served in this role previously, knowing how very much he appreciated you. 

To ensure the gift of reading would endure long into the future, Mr. Morris established the Cleveland Schools Book Fund and an endowment that would fund it in perpetuity, creating a partnership between the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and the Cleveland State University Foundation. We are deeply grateful for Mr. Morris’ dedication and his legacy, which will continue to be a blessing for Cleveland students and teachers for years to come. Follow this link to read Mr. Morris’ full obituary. A gift in his honor can be made by designating the Cleveland Schools Book Fund on the CSU Foundation web page.