Sandra Morgan, director of strategic partnerships and outreach for the College of Arts & Sciences at Kent State University, was recently appointed the honor of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) at an investiture ceremony at the British Embassy Ambassador’s Residence in Washington, D.C.
She was presented this honor by Dame Karen Pierce, the British Ambassador to the United States, but the award is officially from the British Sovereign, King Charles III. She was recognized for “her services to U.S.-U.K. relations. In her role as His Majesty’s Government’s Honorary Consul in Ohio, she has provided tireless promotion and support of His Majesty’s Government’s priorities and delivered real value throughout her (21-year) period of service. Her vast network of contacts and her commitment to maintaining the quality of the Midwest’s Marshall Scholarship programme has been immensely beneficial to the U.K. Her wider academic and voluntary activities, particularly her commitment to diversity, are a visible, positive and proactive reflection of His Majesty’s Government’s values within the State of Ohio.”
Read the full interview (Q & A) with Sandra Morgan
The ceremony primarily honored the U.S. recipients of the United Kingdom Royal Orders and Medals in recognition of outstanding achievements, personal bravery, and service to the United Kingdom. Morgan received a gold medallion, depicting King George IV, which is attached to a red ribbon with a white outline.
Others who received similar honors that day included John Williams KBE, Stephen Trautman CBE, John Mingé OBE, Keith Humphreys OBE, Jacqueline Beauchere MBE, Harry Aycock BEM, and Smita Srattukulam BEM.
Her family, including her husband Joe Harbert and adult children Gabby Gueye, Matar Gueye and Eliza Gueye (all three are Kent State alums working in the D.C. area) were also in attendance for the event.
Her role as a U.K. Honorary Consul for Ohio involves diplomatic activity in support of business and trade between the U.K. and Ohio, cultural understanding, visa services and other support to British citizens in America. She’s also promoted the British Marshall Scholarship Program and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards to Ohio students and advocated for Kent State students who’ve applied.
On April 24, 2019, she invited then Ambassador to the U.S. Sir Kim Darroch (now Lord Darroch of Kew) to speak with students and faculty at Kent State’s Moulton Hall Ballroom and discuss the latest developments of Brexit, British culture and business and the Royal Family.
About Sandra Morgan, OBE
Morgan’s 17 years of service at Kent State included working in the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement before being hired as the director of external affairs and communications for the College of Arts and Sciences. In her current role as director of strategic partnerships and outreach for the College of Arts & Sciences, she identifies and cultivates strategic relationships internally and with external partners to create and leverage mutually beneficial opportunities, including joint research opportunities, project-oriented partnerships and experiential learning.
“Sandra is simply a marvelous ambassador for the UK who is incredibly deserving of the honour,” Pratim Datta, Ph.D., professor in Kent State’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, said. “As a former Brit, I have found Sandra, with her sharp mind and kind soul, to be a tireless and devoted champion of U.K.-U.S. relationship as well as a tour de force for all aspects that help build bridges.”
Before joining Kent State, Morgan served in leadership roles across non-profit and business sectors, including the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, National Inventors Hall of Fame, World Trade Center Cleveland, and Dean Witter Reynolds.
She holds an Executive MBA from Kent State and a BA from Smith College and is a proud Cleveland native. She currently resides in Cleveland Heights and serves on numerous regional boards, including the Governor’s Oversight Commission for the City of East Cleveland Financial Oversight Commission, the British-American Chamber of Commerce, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, Northeast Ohio Consular Corps, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland Water Alliance and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. She’s also received recognition for her work on the Cleveland Metropolitan School Board and the Bond Accountability Commission. She was also appointed by Ohio Governor DeWine as an Ohio Commodore.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and planning her next trip. She and her husband recently enjoyed a trip to France to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
She’s also proudly adopted the role of spokesperson for her famous grandfather Garrett Morgan’s legacy, which includes a rich history of important inventions that have saved numerous lives such as the first automated three-signal traffic light and a hooded gas mask. He also invented a belt fastener for sewing machines, hair-straightening products and was the founder of the Cleveland Call newspaper. Several schools and public facilities are named after Mr. Morgan around the country and many of his inventions are featured in exhibits at a variety of museums, including the African American History Museum in Washington D.C. and the Cleveland History Center in University Circle.
More about Officer of the British Empire (OBE) honors
OBE is the second highest ranking Order of the British Empire award, behind CBE (Commander) but ahead of MBE (Member). Morgan was not aware of anyone else from Ohio ever receiving this same OBE award.
Started in 1917, the special honors such as OBE, MBE and CBE are given out twice a year – once at the New Year, and then again on the monarch’s official birthday. The decision about who gets an honor and the type of honor they get is made by a special committee. The committee's decisions go to the prime minister and then, finally, to the King to check it.
The honors list consists of knights and dames, appointments to the Order of the British Empire and gallantry and bravery awards. Worldwide, around 500 people in total receive an OBE every year and around 2,200 people in total receive a King’s honor.
Neil Cooper’s Perspective: “A Broader Lesson for Us All”
“Sandra’s achievement in receiving an OBE is illustrated by the list of other award recipients over the years, including JK Rowling, David Beckham and Kiera Knightly,” Neil Cooper, Ph.D., professor and director of the School of Peace and Conflict Studies at Kent State, said. “The association of the award with the term “Empire” is not uncontroversial in the U.K. and there have been recent calls (so far unsuccessful) to change the title to British Order of Excellence, which would perhaps be a better indicator of the quality of the endeavors for which Sandra has been rewarded. At the same time, the fact that a Black American woman can receive such an award from a former colonial power that has fought two wars against America (first during the War of Independence, and then the War of 1812), is perhaps indicative of both the scale of Sandra’s personal achievement, and the potential for the long arc of history to bend towards social and political progress, albeit slowly, and only because of the efforts of people like Sandra to realize visions of a better, more just, and peaceful world. Sandra’s award, therefore, is not only a remarkable testament to her own achievements in her role of Honorary Consul, but also has broader lessons for us all. Indeed, it is tempting today to look out on our world and conclude that everything everywhere seems to be going backwards and that progressive change is always thwarted. Placed in the context of a longer history, Sandra’s achievement reminds us that progress is always possible, that human societies are a product of our own agency, and that direct and structural violence can always be overcome — even if such progress always needs nurturing by the remarkable efforts of people such as Sandra.”
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Media Contacts:
Jim Maxwell, 330-672-8028, jmaxwel2@kent.edu
Emily Vincent, 330-672-8595, evincen2@kent.edu