We mourn the loss of Dan Morin
Dan Morin served the foundation for 30 years.
Daniel H. Morin, who proudly served the University of Nebraska Foundation for 30 years, died on June 16, 2011, in Lincoln.
“Dan was a dedicated colleague and friend and will be greatly missed by his colleagues and the many donors and volunteers whom he enjoyed helping over the years,” President Clarence Castner said. “He will be remembered for his distinctive sense of humor, his attention to detail and for always providing outstanding service to university supporters.”
Dan began his service to the foundation in 1981 and is credited for building a well-respected accounting department. He served as treasurer from 1981 to 2010, at which time he was named senior vice president and director of investments. In this position he assisted the board of directors and leadership team in managing the foundation’s investment portfolio of $1.3 billion and overseeing contracted fund managers.
“Dan cherished his role at the foundation,” Vice Chair Terry Fairfield said. “In a very real sense, it was his life. He watched the University of Nebraska grow in size and quality and was pleased to be a part of its achievements.”
Dan, who would have turned 63 on June 24, died after a long battle with cancer but rarely let health concerns or medical treatments prevent him from being at work and interacting with his friends and colleagues. He took pride in the fact he only missed one foundation committee meeting in 30 years; it was because he traveled out of town to attend a donor’s 100th birthday celebration.
Dan had a giving spirit, and it suited him for working at a charitable organization. When co-workers brought their children to the office, he always made certain to have a toy on hand for them, such as a stuffed animal. When staff joined together to aid a local charity for the holidays or to adopt a family in need, he helped generously and inspired others to participate. When a tornado leveled the town of Hallam, Neb., Dan was among the volunteers who helped in cleaning up.
“Whenever the hat was passed to help — whether it was to help a fellow staff member or a local family in need — Dan was the first in line to help and champion the cause,” said Vice President and Treasurer Jason Kennedy, who worked alongside Dan for more than 18 years.
Dan loved his hometown of Chicago. When he reviewed an expense report for a fundraiser returning from there, he would impress the colleague with his detailed knowledge of area restaurants, the trains they could take on the “L” and the radio stations to which they could have listened. Dan was a loyal Chicago Cubs fan, missing few opening games over the past 30 years. Like all good Cubs fans, he always looked forward to “next year,” when the team would surely win the pennant.
He fought cancer with this same outlook.
He graduated in 1974 with a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business. Prior to joining the foundation, he taught a finance course for his alma mater. His teaching style was also utilized and enjoyed by the foundation and its staff, as he helped orient new employees to the foundation’s accounting practices and led a popular Foundation Accounting 101 course.
Dan represents the dedication, loyalty and commitment to our donors which we strive to emulate. He will be greatly missed.
The Daniel H. Morin Scholarship and Fellowship honors Dan’s legacy in perpetuity. It is a permanently endowed fund that provides annual tuition assistance awards to undergraduate or graduate students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business. Eligible students must be enrolled in the School of Accountancy and maintain a 3.0 GPA or above and are selected by the college’s scholarship committee.
