People and Happenings
Farewell to Mount Auburn’ s
First Lady of Fundraising
Priscilla P. Morris, or“ Piper,” as she is known, retired as Senior Vice President of Development in June. Piper came to Mount Auburn six years ago in 2004 as the first development officer at the Cemetery. Working in development offices from Bates College in Maine to New England independent schools( Westover School in Middlebury, Conn. and Noble & Greenough in Dedham, Mass.) to renowned medical institutions like the Lahey Clinic and Tufts University School of Medicine, she had already enjoyed a long and fruitful career in her field. Earlier in her work life, she ran her own successful health care marketing firm with a business partner in Detroit, Mich.
Under her guidance, Mount Auburn’ s fundraising efforts have flourished; total giving has risen 328 % since her arrival in FY2005. In this past year, her department was responsible for raising nearly $ 1.4 million, a 52 % increase above FY2009( which saw a 57.5 % increase in contributions over FY2008). The Annual Fund, foundation grants, and planned giving have all seen significant growth in the past six years.
Clemmie Cash( Wellesley, Mass.), Chair of the Friends of Mount Auburn Trustees, has known Piper since she was Dean of Institutional Advancement at Noble & Greenough School during the years when Cash’ s daughter attended.“ What impressed me about Piper is her deep commitment to the cause for which she’ s working. I saw that passion at both Nobles and Mount Auburn. I can’ t imagine her not being totally committed.”
14 | Sweet Auburn
Piper Morris( third from left) with Mount Auburn staff members( l-r) Melissa Wilson, Lauren Marsh, and Samantha Furbush, and left with Dave Barnett at her retirement party.
Piper( center) with( l-r) her son, Edward, daughter-in-law, Susannah, son-in-law, Jeff, granddaughter, Lilly, daughter, Sarah, and granddaughter, Cecelia( born 9 / 22 / 09) taken in Westport, MA, in July of 2009.
In addition to her fundraising responsibilities, Piper, under the leadership of former president Bill Clendaniel, was tasked with the rebranding of Mount Auburn as a cultural institution worthy of philanthropic support, which included the complete redesign of the look and format of the Cemetery’ s publications, among them Sweet Auburn, our biannual magazine. During her tenure here, she also spearheaded the planning and implementation for the successful two-year long 175th Anniversary Celebration, including the memorable gala in 2007, which over 300 people attended.
“ Piper was a terrific teacher to all of us on the Development Committee and for The Friends of Mount Auburn,” says Mount Auburn Trustee Widgie Aldrich( Cambridge, Mass.).“ She instilled confidence in us to enable us to start our first capital campaign. She was our cheerleader.”
“ I have always loved Mount Auburn,” says Piper,“ from my undergrad days at Harvard when I rode my bike over to
Piper during the events of the 175th Anniversary Celebration, including a lecture with Dr. Henry Louis Gates.
study here until now when I have been lucky enough to work at this very special place. I will miss being here every day, but I know I’ ll be a frequent visitor.”
Piper lives in Cambridge, about five minutes from Mount Auburn. She has a grown son( Edward) and daughter( Sarah), both married, and two small granddaughters( Lilly and Cecelia) whom she sees frequently and looks forward to spending more time with. She expects her retirement to include travel( especially road trips in the U. S.) and genealogical study of her family( both sides) dating back to the 17th century in the U. S.
With her straight shooting, no-nonsense business savvy, her engaging personality, and her warmth as a co-worker and manager, she is a truly great lady who will be missed by all those who have had the pleasure of working with her. We are certainly grateful that she decided to cap her career with us.
[ Piper’ s mother’ s family, the Sortwells, have had a lot in Mount Auburn Cemetery since the 19th century at Crystal and Pearl Avenues.]