Palmer senior earns national scholarship, opportunity to play college volleyball

PALMER —Morgan Morfe had just climbed The Butte recently. The Palmer High senior was standing on top when she received a text message.

That’s how Morfe found out she was named a Gates Millennium Scholar.

“I stayed there just stunned for a little while and then started running down The Butte,” Morfe said. “Over the next few days it slowly began to sink in.”

Earning the scholarship, which will cover every cent of her college education, is just part of a terrific run for Morfe, a top student and multisport standout at Palmer High. Last week, Morfe also signed her National Letter of Intent to attend Union University in Jackson, Tenn., and play volleyball for the Lady Bulldogs.

“I’m super excited. I can’t wait to go to college,” Morfe said. “I’m still in awe and shock. I’ll be going to college and graduating debt free.”

Morfe knew where she’d be studying as a freshman during the 2012-13 school year long before she knew her college costs would be completely covered. After visiting the Jackson, Tenn., campus earlier during her senior year at Palmer, Morfe decided on Union in late January. As a high school senior, Morfe also applied for the Gates Millennium scholarship, which is funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates Millennium Scholars program is a national minority scholarship that awards 1,000 students each year a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university, according to the program’s website.

Morfe, one of about 25,000 students from across the country to apply for the scholarship, wrote nine essays and submitted a batch of paperwork, which included transcripts, description of classes completed and recommendation letters.

Morfe’s body of work, which includes a 3.93 grade point average, placed her in the elite class of students to earn the scholarship. She was also one of only three Alaskans selected this year, joining students from Juneau-Douglas High School and Mt. Edgecumbe.

Morfe, a three-year varsity standout in volleyball and girls’ soccer, said a number of different reasons factored into her final choice of Union University.

Her first requirement, she said, was finding a Christian college. She also wanted a school that fit her academic needs and provided the right fit for her athletic career.

“I was looking at three other colleges and Union was just the best fit,” Morfe said. “I loved their philosophy in academics, in volleyball. The school is exactly like home. I loved it. It’s a perfect fit.”

Morfe said she plans to double-major in secondary education and biblical studies, with a goal of becoming a high school English teacher before pursing full-time mission work.

On the court, Morfe will join a Union team that competes in the NAIA TranSouth Conference. Last season, the Lady Bulldogs finished 15-21 overall and 7-6 in conference play.

Morfe, a versatile player on the floor, could realistically play at an outside hitter position or defensively as a libero. She was even recruited by one school as a right side hitter.

“I don’t have a favorite between the two. I love them both equally,” Morfe said. “I love defense, I love hitting, I love serving. As long as I’m playing volleyball and on the court, I’m really happy.”

Morfe helped Palmer win three straight Northern Lights Conference titles as a member of the Moose. She was also named first-team All-NLC as a senior.

Another bonus for Morfe, she’ll have two close friends, a pair of Palmer High classmates, attending Union with her. Morfe said it wasn’t planned, but she’s excited.

“I just so happens we looked at the same college. That is such a huge blessing,” Morfe said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and follow him at twitter.com/matsu_sports.