Tensas Parish native, Morgan M. Watson attended Southern University on academic scholarship and graduated with honors in 1966 with Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. While in college Mr. Watson was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities and served as an Engineering Intern at Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama.
After graduating from Southern University, Mr. Watson, had an extensive and impressive professional career in the corporate arena (Chrysler Corporation, NASA), academia (Mechanical Engineering Department Chair, Assistant to Dean of Engineering, professor and visiting professor), and social impact and volunteerism. All of which culminated in Morgan M. Watson, being honored in 2010 at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum as an “African American Pioneer in Aviation” for being one of the first African American engineers employed by NASA and awarded the Southern University “Jaguar Pride” Metal of Honor in 2016.
Mr. Watson is actively serves as a deacon at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church and served as Sunday School Superintendent for thirteen years. He is former member of the Baton Rouge Private Industry Council; a current member of Early Risers Kiwanis and the NAACP, a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; and a life member of Southern University Alumni Federation.
The Southern Spotlight finds Morgan Watson residing in Baker, Louisiana, married to the former Helen Marie Johnson, father to Morgan Jr., L’Tanga, and Michael, and grandfather to Kennedy Ayris, Kayle Amanda, and Morgan III.
