Distinguished Alumni Award Winner Profile

Morgan Jones, associate director of bands and director of the Hawkeye Marching Band from 1973 to 1990, encouraged leadership and musicianship in thousands of students. Through the decades, he has nurtured excellence and camaraderie in true Hawkeye fashion.

Jones played trumpet in the Hawkeye Marching Band at the Rose Bowl in 1957 and 1959 and was a graduate teaching assistant at Iowa in 1960 and 1961. He taught high school band before returning to the UI to direct. He grew the Hawkeye Marching Band to 280 members and added graduate assistants to enhance quality. Many went on to become successful music educators, directors, and composers. 

Jones was at the helm when women were integrated into the band, and he selected the first Black drum major. Jones was known as “Dr. Jones” to many, and his uncompromising standards for musicianship and precision marching culminated in the Hawkeye Marching Band receiving the 1990 Sudler Trophy from the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Jones returned to help restore stability in the band in 1996 and 1997 as interim director.

In 1988, Jones founded the Iowa Ambassadors of Music, a program he led for three decades that provides opportunities for high school music students and directors statewide to travel and perform concerts across Europe. Jones also entertained local audiences as conductor of the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band from 1994 to 2010.

“Dr. Jones’ significant and lasting contributions to the Hawkeye Marching Band exemplify the university's core values of creativity, community, excellence, inclusion, and integrity,” says Arlene Houk, president of the Alumni Band Leadership Board.

Jones’ positive influence on individuals across campus, and in bands nationwide, will be felt for generations.