Since its inaugural year in 1977, the annual award celebration has honored over 150 extraordinary women. Morse is one of seven women being honored at this year's luncheon ceremony, from Noon to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, November 3, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids.
Morse is an independent artist specializing in animation, short films and videos. Some of her films have been broadcast nationally on Sesame Street and Romper Room, and are represented in permanent collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. She has produced more than 30 films and videos since the early 1970s. Her work has been frequently selected for international festivals from Canada and the U.S.. to Japan, Italy, France, England, and others. In 2001, her films were published in the Addy and Omni award winning DVD, "Move--Click--Move," which was re-released in a second pressing in 2005.
An active educator and a leader, Morse was named Distinguished Professor by the Michigan Association of Governing Boards of State Universities in 1993. She has been at Grand Valley since 1979 and has been a key figure in supporting and empowering contemporary artists in West Michigan and internationally. As a juror and reviewer for local and international festivals, competitions, and grant programs, Morse has encouraged and supported young artists in creating and promoting their work.
Morse holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University, where she has been named an outstanding alumni, a master's degree from Goddard College and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
