On May 15, 2010, Boise arts patron and philanthropist Velma Morrison was awarded an honorary doctorate during commencement ceremonies at Boise State University.  Morrison is only the eighth person to receive an honorary doctorate from Boise State.  Albertsons Library celebrates her long association with Boise State University with these photographs from our collections.

A native of Tipton, California, Velma Morrison worked as a public health nurse in Alaska—delivering tuberculosis vaccine by dogsled—and as a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II before going into the restaurant business.  She was running a restaurant in Bakersfield, California, when she first met her future husband Harry W. Morrison, in town for a Boise Junior College football game. 

University Archives photo 8906-020

Harry W. Morrison (1885-1971) was the founder of the Boise-based international engineering and construction firm Morrison-Knudsen Company, builder of the Hoover Dam, San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, St. Lawrence Seaway, and projects as far flung as Wake Island, Mexico, and Afghanistan.  He was an early supporter of Boise Junior College and served on the Board of Trustees for more than ten years. 

Lyman Wilbur Collection, MSS 205

An early photograph of Harry and Velma Morrison.  They were married in 1959 and lived together in Boise until his death in 1971.

Morrison Center Collection, MSS 116

Harry Morrison had wanted to build a performing arts center for the Boise community in Ann Morrison Park since the 1950s.  He often said, “A man’s worth is counted in the things he creates for the betterment of his fellow man.”  Velma took up his cause after his death.  This pin, from the 1970s, was used to promote a bond election for the center.

Morrison Center Collection, MSS 116

In 1978, the new president of Boise State University, Dr. John Keiser, put forth the idea of building the Morrison Center on the university campus.  The Morrison Family Foundation donated $3.5 million to Boise State University to support the project, and the state legislature supplemented the donation.  Here, Velma Morrison watches as Governor John Evans signs the Morrison Center bill in 1981 as President Keiser looks on.

University Archives photo 08110-005

The Morrison Center for the Performing Arts is located on the Boise River on the west side of campus.  It was designed by the Boise architectural firm Lombard-Conrad and opened in 1984.  There are 800 seats on the mezzanine level and 1,200 seats on the orchestra level.  The performance hall is built with a combination of brick and oak.

University Photo Services D-0504-033-021

Poster advertising “My Fair Lady,” the inaugural performance at the Morrison Center in April 1984.  The director, Fred Norman, was a good friend of Velma Morrison.

Morrison Center Collection, MSS 116

Velma Morrison speaks at the ceremony recognizing the Morrison Foundation’s donation of $2 million to the Boise State University College of Engineering in 1997.

University Archives photo C9710-029

Velma Morrison speaks at the 15th anniversary of the Morrison Center and the dedication of the name change to the Velma Morrison Center for the Performing Arts.

University Archives photo C9802-033

Velma Morrison and her husband John Hockberger pose during halftime of the Boise State homecoming football game in 1999.  Velma married John, lifelong friend of the Morrison family, in 1986. 

University Archives photo C9910-024

Velma Morrison at the dedication of the Harry W. Morrison Civil Engineering Building at Boise State University in 1999.   With her are President Charles Ruch and Engineering Dean Lynn Russell.

University Archives photo C9910-019

In 2004, Velma Morrison was named an honorary lifetime member of the Boise State University Foundation in recognition of her many years of service to higher education and Boise State University.

University Photo Services D-0404-037-067