Reinhardt Graduate Returns To Fundraise For Alma Mater

A Reinhardt alumna of more than 30 years returned last week to her alma mater in a different role.

Dale Scarlett Morrissey is now the director of Fund Raising Campaigns and Church Relations. She assumes the role from longtime staff member Barbara Manous, who served Reinhardt for more than 18 years.

“Reinhardt has always been close to my heart,” said Morrissey. “After high school graduation, I enrolled at Reinhardt and have been involved ever since.

“I worked [at Reinhardt] during college in the business office. I handled the student bank; I guess that is where my banking career started! Doris Jones in the business office was my mentor, and it will be a pleasure to see her once again on campus.”

Serving more than 37 years in the banking industry, Morrissey most recently held the position of vice president/branch manager at Hamilton State Bank, formerly known as Cherokee Bank.

Prior to that, she served in various capacities with Community and Southern Bank, formerly known as First Cherokee State Bank, including business development officer, branch manager and security officer.

Morrissey’s path first came back to Reinhardt later in her career when she managed a bank across the street from Reinhardt.

“I was so close to the University that I decided to complete my college education, and earned a bachelor of science in business administration in 1999,” she added.

Working with Reinhardt’s A Day Committee and Alumni Board of Governors allowed Morrissey to keep close ties to Reinhardt through the years. From 2005 to 2007, she served as board president and from 2014 to 2015, she was the A DAY chair.

“When approached about the possible position at Reinhardt, I felt it was a good time for a career change,” Morrissey added. “Banking was part of my life for so long, and I feel my roots at Reinhardt helped me obtain the success stories that I have.”

Born in Pickens County, Morrissey currently resides in Cherokee County. Married to “Coach” Todd Morrissey, who teaches and coaches at Sequoyah High School, together they have three adult children, Noah, Nicholas and Nicole, and two grandchildren.

They are members of Hickory Flat Methodist Church.

“I look forward to giving back to Reinhardt and connecting to those in the community that have not yet been introduced to such an unique University,” Morrissey added. “It is a special place, and I am excited about this new opportunity. Barbara has done an exceptional job at Reinhardt and will be missed. I have some big shoes to fill!”

Morrissey takes on the role from Manous, who recently decided to retire.

“I have enjoyed my years at Reinhardt, and dearly loved my job,” said Manous. “I especially enjoyed my association with faculty and staff, and members of the community.”

While at Reinhardt, Manous was responsible for three golf tournament fundraisers and A DAY for Reinhardt, all of which comprise one quarter of the University’s Annual Fund. Throughout her years at Reinhardt, Manous raised more than $4.9 million for the Annual Fund.

“Reinhardt has been blessed to have Barbara Manous lead the Fund Raising Team for many years,” said JoEllen Wilson, vice president of advancement. “She has legions of friends here at Reinhardt and in this community. We plan to call on her often in the future.

“I do not believe we could have found a more capable person to step into the fund raising role than Dale,” Wilson continued. “As an alumna, she knows the University, and her contacts in the community are unmeasurable. I enjoy working with both these professional, charming women.”​

Photo: Dale Morrissey, left, with Barbara Manous. Credit: Reinhardt University