Development News

Tennessee Tech professor Ann Davis named first recipient of David K. Morgan Faculty Fellowship 

Dr. Ann Davis has been named the first recipient of Tennessee Tech University’s David K. Morgan Faculty Fellowship which recognizes outstanding research, meaningful service and innovative teaching.

Davis joined the Tech faculty in 2012 and is the coordinator for the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program. She received bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance from Tech in 2000, a Master of Accountancy degree with a concentration in taxation from the University of Tennessee in 2001 and a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Tennessee in 2010. She is a licensed certified professional accountant (CPA) in the state of Tennessee and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).

“I am honored to receive this award at this point in my career,” Davis said. “As coordinator of our MAcc program, I am committed to bringing innovative ideas to our hybrid program. I hope that this award will allow me time to focus on research, especially research informing my classroom and impacting the accounting profession.”

Davis had the opportunity to meet the donor responsible for her fellowship at the Evening of Excellence Alumni Awards during Homecoming weekend where David K. Morgan (`74 accounting) received the Tennessee Tech Alumni Association’s Outstanding Philanthropy Award.

Morgan says the MAcc program is important for students who wish to pursue becoming a CPA, and he was delighted to learn that Davis oversees Tech’s program. He also enjoyed learning that Davis previously worked with Arthur Andersen, LLP and Ernst & Young, LLP in the Chattanooga, Tenn. offices, since Morgan grew up in the Chattanooga area.

“I am very happy that she is the first recipient of the David K. Morgan Faculty Fellowship,” Morgan said.

In 1984, Morgan and others formed Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC, now known as LBMC. LBMC is one of the nation’s top 30 accounting and professional services firms. Morgan retired from the firm in 2015 but continues his work with LBMC Financial Services, LLC.

Morgan’s gift to establish the David K. Morgan Faculty Fellowship is the latest in a long history of giving to the university, especially the accounting department. He previously supported student scholarships and international travel and says he established the David K. Morgan Faculty Fellowship because he knows that in order to recruit accounting students, the university needs outstanding faculty with advanced degrees in accounting.

“I have always thought it important to support Tech because this is where my professional education occurred,” Morgan said. “All my professional success can be traced back to the excellent education that I received here. I will always be grateful to Tech for all it has provided to me, and I hope I can continue to provide the support that allows future students and faculty members to be successful.”