Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Terry Morrow, Beloved Educator, Artist, and Mentor
Pictured: Real Musgrave, Terry Morrow, and Muff Musgrave
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Terry Morrow, a retired faculty member and Professor Emeritus of the Texas Tech University School of Art, who left an enduring legacy as an educator, artist, and advocate for the arts. Terry passed away in February 2025, leaving behind a community deeply enriched by his decades of dedication and passion for the field of art.
Terry Morrow began his academic journey at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his BFA in 1962. He pursued graduate studies at both the University of Texas and the University of Wisconsin-Madison before completing his MS degree at Indiana University Bloomington in 1967. His teaching career began at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, followed by a year at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, before he joined Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University) in 1968 as an Assistant Professor. Over his 50-year tenure, Terry taught countless undergraduate and graduate students, specializing in printmaking and drawing, and became a cornerstone of the School of Art.
A true pioneer in arts education, Terry founded the Saturday Morning Art Project (SMAP) in 1981, a groundbreaking enrichment program for gifted and talented high school students in the Lubbock area. With financial support from the Lubbock Junior League and the Helen Jones Foundation, Terry served as the volunteer Teacher/Director of SMAP until 2004, providing free instruction and fostering a love for the arts in the community.
“Terry was very giving of his time through the many high school art workshops he gave over the years,” recalled Tina Fuentes, retired faculty member of the School of Art. “He would call it his ‘recruitment program.’”
His commitment to outreach extended further with the creation of a weeklong summer camp at the Texas Tech Center at Junction, where he offered free art instruction to gifted high school students from Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. This program, along with his graduate printmaking courses at Junction, became a hallmark of his dedication to accessible arts education.
“It was not uncommon for the students to consistently acknowledge his caring, enthusiasm, and leadership within his classes. Graduate students respected his engagement as a mentor and advisor. His guidance helped to establish the printmaking program as a well-respected area of study at the national level,” said Fuentes.
Terry’s leadership within the School of Art was equally impactful. He served in various administrative roles, including Assistant Chair, Chair, and Director, helping to shape the department’s growth and vision. His efforts were instrumental in the development of the BFA, MFA, and BA in Studio Art degree programs, as well as the establishment of the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) in 2001. Terry also championed interdisciplinary collaboration, organizing innovative courses that brought together students and faculty from Art, Music, Theatre, and Dance. It could be said that he paved the way for the newly formed Department of Interdisciplinary Arts.
Beyond Texas Tech, Terry’s influence reached the broader academic and artistic community. He served as a member, President, and Past-President of the Texas Association of Schools of Art (TASA) and was an active member of the National Council of Art Administrators (NCAA) and the Southern Graphics Council International (SGCI). For over 20 years, he served as a site evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), sharing his expertise and commitment to excellence in arts education.
As an artist, Terry’s dedication to his craft was unwavering. His work was exhibited at the local, state, national, and international levels, with his most recent solo exhibition held at LHUCA, featuring a large body of drawings. Despite his many administrative and teaching responsibilities, Terry always prioritized his studio time, believing that an artist-teacher must remain actively engaged in their own creative practice.
Those who knew Terry remember him as a passionate advocate for students, a visionary leader, and a kind and generous mentor. His commitment to teaching excellence earned him numerous accolades, including awards from the TTU Success Center, the Athletic Department, and Mortar Board Omicron Delta Kappa. In 2010, he was honored as the School of Art’s first Homecoming Honoree, a testament to the profound impact he had on the university and its students. His former students often describe him as “one of the best teachers I’ve ever had,” and many have gone on to enjoy successful careers as artists, educators, and administrators—a source of great pride and fulfillment for Terry.
“I was in the first class Terry Morrow taught at Tech and every class I could squeeze in for the next 4 years,” said Real Musgrave, former student and longtime friend of Terry. “His ability as a teacher/mentor/friend had a profound influence on the rest of my life. Terry believed that every student should be encouraged in the work they loved, and the skills would follow.”
Thanks to Musgrave, his wife Muff, and many friends impacted by Terry, the Terry Morrow – Medici Circle Endowed Studio Art Scholarship was established in his honor in 2010. The endowment provides a 3-year scholarship for an incoming Master of Fine Arts student.
Terry often reflected on his career with gratitude, describing himself as “lucky” to have spent his life doing what he loved. From building a thriving art program to working with talented students and colleagues, Terry’s legacy is one of passion, generosity, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of art.
He will be deeply missed by the countless family, friends, colleagues, and students whose lives he touched.
The School of Art will host a memorial for his family, friends, students, and fellow members of the arts community at a later date. Donations may be made to support the Terry Morrow-Medici Circle Endowed Studio Art Scholarship in honor of Terry’s lifelong dedication to arts education and community enrichment.
Terry Morrow’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists, educators, and students. May he rest in peace, knowing that his contributions to the world of art and education will never be forgotten.