‘We’re here to train you,’ says Department of Music chair

AU’s Department of Music Chair Angela Morgan aims to make a difference with her work. (photo courtesy of Jim Dunaway)

By Beatrice Jackson | Contributor

Needing a change and wanting to be closer to family, Angela Morgan came to Augusta University to teach music and eventually became the chair of the Department of Music.

“Augusta really called out to me because it was relatively close to where my parents live, and plus I like warm weather,” Morgan said.

Morgan has three degrees, all in violin performance. After receiving her masters and doctorate at Florida State University, Morgan traveled back to Tennessee, where she first earned undergraduate, to play professionally for a year in the Chattanooga Symphony.

Morgan then proceeded to work at McNeese State University in Louisiana as a professor and orchestra director of viola and violin for six years. After a while, she decided to apply for a position at Augusta University.

Morgan started out at AU in 1995 as a professor. In 1998, due to the previous department head facing unfortunate health related events, Morgan was asked by the dean to step in as department chair temporarily.

After she completed the temporary position, Morgan applied for permanent department chair and has been ever since.

“I did the job for a year and then I applied for and got the job permanently, but no I did not come here as an administrator, not at all,” Morgan said.

Once receiving the job of department chair, Morgan aimed to help improve an important part of being a college student.

“I want kids to walk out of here with skills that they can go and get a job, and that's what this is about. We're here to train you,” she said. “Anything I can do to make that process go better that's what I’m here to do.”

For Morgan, communicating with students and balancing their personal issues is easily the most emotional stressful aspect of her job.

“It’s very hard to tell people things that you work with that they maybe don't want to hear. That’s the stuff that gives me heartburn at night,” she said. “It's particularly difficult when you're working everyday with someone, but there's a big problem and it has to be addressed. That's the toughest part of this job.”

However, while working at AU, she has also learned what is most important to her.

“It’s the students,” Morgan said. “I’d like to think that you guys need us and that we're helping you to pursue your dreams and your education. I get up and come to work every day to help you guys, that's what I think is super important. That's why I’ve been teaching.”

Morgan views her job as more than an occupation - it is a duty.

“I feel like I can make more of a difference because there are just more things I can do rather than just teaching my classes and going home,” Morgan said.

Contact Beatrice Jackson at bjackson9@augusta.edu.