Release from the Office of West Virginia First Lady Cathy Justice:
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CHARLESTON, WV – In a virtual ceremony today, First Lady Cathy Justice presented her seventh Rhododendron Award to Missy Clagg Morrison, the Marshall Psychiatry Residency and Fellowship Programs Administrator at Marshall University’s School of Medicine.
Morrison is a native of Huntington and a graduate of Marshall University. She is known for her volunteer efforts and passion in serving the local homeless and addiction recovery communities. Morrison has organized and hosted community-wide collections, events, and programs, and has invited the community to join her in those efforts.
“Missy, you are most impressive, and I want to thank you for all that you’ve done in your many, many years of service to your community,” First Lady Justice said. “You’ve improved so many lives in the Huntington area and we know that it’s so greatly appreciated.”
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“Thank you, First Lady Justice. I’m so honored to be selected as a recipient of this lovely Rhododendron Award,” Morrison said. “I’d also like to thank the ones who sustain my outreach efforts; the sponsors and donors, as well as the ones who give freely of their time to help.
“My role is just to make needs known and then to bridge those needs. I’ve seen it demonstrated, time and again, that people want to help, they just need an opportunity to do so,” Morrison continued. “Watching the items come in, and then being matched with the need, is such a blessing and it reminds us of the importance of compassion.”
“While I’m not comfortable being in the spotlight, I am thankful for the opportunity to redirect it to the needs of the underserved, and to remind others that we can all do our part to help,” Morrison added.
The First Lady’s Rhododendron Award recognizes individuals in West Virginia who have demonstrated goodness and worked for the betterment of their communities. In particular, this award seeks to recognize the “unsung heroes” throughout West Virginia, whose work has made a significant difference in the lives of others.
“You have, no doubt, inspired many to work along with you, and your generosity of time and spirit have given others the opportunity to work as well,” First Lady Justice continued. “We thank you for all you’ve done. I’m thrilled to honor you today, Missy. You’re very deserving of this award.”
Morrison has been recognized with several awards for her philanthropy, including the Cabell Huntington Hospital Women’s Philanthropy Society’s 2015 Focus Award, the 2015 Herald-Dispatch Citizen Award, and the Marshall Alumni 2015 Community Achievement Award.
She was also selected as “Volunteer of the Year” in 2014 by both the Cabell-Huntington Coalition for the Homeless and Recovery Point/The Healing Place of Huntington.
Morrison was recently selected to join the 2021 cohort of the John Marshall Leadership Fellows Program, as well as the Board of Directors of the Marshall University Alumni Association.
Additional media content, including video clips and/or photos from this event, will be posted on the Governor’s Office website as they become available.
