Dempsie B. Morrison Scholarship Fund
Dempsie B. Morrison, Jr., FCSI, was a practicing architect and teacher of architectural technology and specification writing at State Technical Institute in Memphis, Tennessee (now Southwest Tennessee Community College) and additionally, he practiced as a specifications consultant. He was active in the Memphis Chapter of CSI, serving as Chapter President in 1962, followed by his service as editor of the newsletter, and he chaired numerous committees. He served the Region (Region 5 as it was known) for three years as Director, followed by two terms as Institute Vice President.
His untimely death in an accident provided valid reason for the Memphis Chapter to create the Dempsie B. Morrison Scholarship in his memory. An agreement with Memphis State University (now University of Memphis) providing up to one full year’s tuition matched by the University was signed by the Chapter and the University in December 1979.
The Vision of the Memphis Chapter founders of the Dempsie B. Morrison Fund was to create a fund through contributions, which would grow large enough to support the provision of a perpetual annual awarding of a scholarship, paid solely by the interest from the fund, leaving the principal intact. Growth in the principal by contributions might generate interest which would result in additional scholarship awards in the future. The scholarship awards sent to the University would be paid from current year receipts (the general fund) until such time as the fund reaches an amount large enough to create earned interest sufficient to pay for the annual scholarship. This interim funding is intended to permit our continued awarding of scholarships in years when scholarship receipts are not sufficient to pay for the scholarship.
The Support, by the Memphis Chapter, of the Dempsie B. Morrison Scholarship Fund has included two sponsorships per meeting, individual and corporate contributions (large and small), interest earned on the scholarship deposits, and funds from Chapter surplus rollovers in years when income exceeded expenses.
The Scholarship Fund is managed by the Dempsie B. Morrison Scholarship Fund, Inc., which is 5-member board charged with investing the funds in a fiscally responsible manner to avoid loss, yet earning as much interest as possible in pursuit of the Memphis Chapter vision that might support a full scholarship through fund earnings. Funds will consist of investment Certificates of Deposit and a bank savings account. Accumulations of funds are from interest earned and from private contributions from individuals and companies.
Funds dedicated to the Memphis Chapter vision for the Dempsie B. Morrison Scholarship Fund are not available for other Chapter uses. The balance has grown through contributions of many; however it has not yet reached its goal of the fund interest paying for the annual scholarship award.
Focus on the Vision by members and the Board of Directors of the Memphis Chapter is crucial for the continued growth of the Dempsie B. Morrison fund toward its goal and for the continued payment of annual scholarship awards from the general fund until it is reached.
Congratulations, 2025-2026 Scholarship Recipients!
Whitney House
4th Year Architecture + Interior Architecture Student
"My name is Whitney House. I am a fourth-year first-generation college student at the University of Memphis in the Department of Architecture, and I was one of two recipients of the CSI Dempsie B. Morrison, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. I am extremely grateful for CSI Memphis’ contribution to funding my education at the University of Memphis. This funding means the world to me as it has offered a considerable sigh of relief and has provided me with many fortunate opportunities thus far. I was recently accepted into the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program. This would not have been possible without this donation. Thank you for making this scholarship possible. I, along with the rest of the Department of Architecture, am very thankful. I hope to build on this act of generosity in the future and will continue to strive in my studies."
Binta Balde
1st Year Graduate Student
“To every member of CSI and donor to the CSI Dempsie B. Morrison Scholarship, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for funding my first year of graduate studies, thus allowing me to pursue an accredited degree. As an aspiring architect, this brings me one step closer to my goal of reaching licensure. Up until now, my studies were fully funded by some University scholarships and FAFSA . So, I was dumbfounded when I realized that neither one of those sources would be financing my Masters. I felt hopeless and came to accept that my studies would have to be on pause until I was able to raise enough funds to carry on. However, thanks to your help, that is no longer a worry of mine.
Thank you, CSI, for fueling the dreams and careers of young designers like me!”
Recipients
Current Recipients
Whitney House
Binta Balde
Past Recipients Bryan Torres
Mariam Al-Absawi Safari Love
Duewa Alfuqaha
Jesus Duarte
Duewa Afuqaha
Razan Hadidi
Isacc Barrantes
Jason Ontiveros
Christen Ayoub
Brock Terwilleger Hana Abdelraouf
Nestor Lobos
Jules Byers
Sarah Hawkins
George Burns
Ben Cooper
George Burns
Dustin Collins
Thomas Elliot
Hai Ly
Kasia Zycinska
Kate Bidwell
Alzbeta Bowden
Lauren Chapman
James Morrison Chris Ashbrand Jennifer Clark
Chris Qualls
Theresa Crampton
Duke Walker
Robin Saunders
Matt Trimble
Zach Smith
Janette Michelle Gilliam
Brenda Page
Mary Summers
Brett Hirsch
Aaron Vermeulen
Tanya Guidry
Tony Pellicciotti
2025-2026 Donors
1979 Society
Dillard Door & Security
Farrell-Calhoun Paint
LRK
Mary Haizlip
Benefactor
4F Design Harold Urban
Kathy & Mike Zielinski Pickering Firm
Tanya and Scott Guidry
Advocate
Brg3s Architects Carol Neison ~ In Memory of James A. Neison, FCSI Emilie Ward ~ In Memory of D.B. Morrison III ~ In Honor of D.B. Morrison IV & V
John Bigham Julie Fleming Kate Haywood Ken Nazor Pam & Ron Shirley
Supporter
Allen & Hoshall Duke Walker ~ In Memory of Louis Medcalf, FCSI
Gary Copeland Hans Faulhaber
Memphis Reprographics
Sesco Lighting
William Sundquist ~ In Memory of Governor Don Sundquist
Donor Amanda Kotecki Sydney Matsumoto
Board of Directors
Voting
Michael Zielinski
President - Chairman of Board
Julie Fleming
Vice President - Scholarship Chair Memphis Chapter
Chris Bird
Vice President
John Bigham
Treasurer
Hans Faulhaber
Secretary