Professor Frederick Morgan, a longtime member of York University's Department of Physics, has died.
During his time at York University – between 1967 and 2001 – Morgan made sustained contributions to teaching, research and college leadership.
He was known as a popular undergraduate lecturer in physics and supervised and collaborated on research in laser spectroscopy. His work was rooted in collaboration and involved colleagues in the Department of Physics, including Hammond Dugan, and extended to interdisciplinary partnerships with physical and photochemists in the Department of Chemistry, including Steve Filseth and Chester Sadowski.
Morgan also played a significant role in the life of Bethune College during a period of institutional change. Following the realignment of undergraduate colleges in 1989 under then-president Harry Arthurs, he was appointed master of Bethune College, a position he held until 1994.
During this period, Morgan worked to define the college’s new identity aligning with the Faculty of Science and the Lassonde School of Engineering. His leadership helped establish Bethune College as a central support for science and engineering students.
He later returned to the role of acting master in 1999-2000 and continued to support the college until his retirement from the University in 2001.
Off campus, Morgan spent his free time pursing his passions for photography, technology and classical music, as well as spending time with family and friends.