🧑🏫 Who: Dr. Ginny Morgan, former Ruckel Middle School principal; Superintendent Marcus Chambers; Principal Joe Jannazo; the Morgan family
🏫 What: Dedication of the new Ruckel Middle School cafetorium in Dr. Morgan’s name
📅 When: Ceremony held Thursday (2024) following school board approval in August
📍 Where: Ruckel Middle School, Niceville, Florida
🎯 Why: To honor Dr. Morgan’s decades of service, her leadership philosophy, and her lasting influence on programs, staff, and student success
Ruckel Middle School honored one of its most influential leaders Thursday with the dedication of its newly constructed cafetorium, officially named The Dr. Ginny Morgan Cafetorium. The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together district officials, former and current educators, students, family, and community members to celebrate the late principal’s decades-long legacy in Okaloosa County schools.
The Okaloosa County School Board unanimously approved the naming in August.
Dr. Virginia “Ginny” Henderson Morgan began her career at Ruckel Middle School in 1968 as a math teacher before moving into district leadership as Okaloosa’s math supervisor. She later returned to Ruckel as principal — a role that cemented her reputation as a transformative educator who elevated both academic performance and school culture. She died on February 15, 2024, at age 76.
Superintendent Marcus Chambers, who was hired by Dr. Morgan in 1998, said her impact continues to shape the district today.
“Dr. Morgan was a principal, but more importantly, she was an educator through and through,” Chambers said. “She shaped the careers of countless teachers and leaders, including my own. Her guiding question, ‘What is best for students?’ continues to echo through the halls of Ruckel and throughout our district.”
During her tenure as principal, Dr. Morgan introduced major programs that helped define Ruckel’s identity for decades, including the International Baccalaureate program and “Alternatives to Learning.” She championed teacher-led initiatives that identified core student values, pushed her well-known “Three A’s” — Academics, Arts, and Athletics — and worked to build a culture of high expectations and strong community involvement. Her leadership also helped attract top teachers and coaches, establishing Ruckel as one of the most sought-after middle schools in the region.
Ruckel Principal Joe Jannazo said the naming of the new cafetorium ensures her legacy remains central to the school’s mission.
“As we officially dedicate this new facility, we ensure that her name and her impact will remain at the heart of Ruckel Middle School for generations to come,” Jannazo said. “The Dr. Ginny Morgan Cafetorium will stand not only as a building, but as a living reminder of a leader who believed deeply in students, deeply in staff, and deeply in the power of school community.”
Dr. Morgan’s husband of 56 years, Dr. David Morgan, attended the ceremony alongside their daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Lily Morgan shared emotional remarks about her grandmother and the inspiration she drew from her stories as an educator.
“My grandma knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to ask for it,” Lily said. “This quality is what I think made her such a great leader and principal — the ability to effortlessly command a room.”
District leaders noted that many of Ruckel’s defining programs, traditions, and expectations trace directly back to Dr. Morgan’s influence. The mentoring culture she fostered, the values she championed, and the academic vision she established continue to guide the school more than three decades later.
The new cafetorium stands as a permanent tribute to a woman whose leadership helped shape thousands of students’ lives — and whose legacy still echoes through the classrooms of Ruckel Middle School.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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