Presidential Fellows The Nate Morris Fellowship

Since 1970, the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC) Presidential Fellows Program has inspired college students to become the public servants that will guide our nation’s future.
Today, the program continues that mission by providing top collegiate students in the United States and around the world with the opportunity to study the U.S. Presidency, the public policymaking process, and our President’s relationships with Congress, allies, the media, and the American public. Over the course of an academic year, the Fellows learn about leadership and governance, share their outstanding research, and explore careers in public service.

Since its inception, the Fellows Program has developed leadership skills in more than 1,500 students. Many of our fellows have been awarded the prestigious Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, Truman, and Gates Scholarships. Alumni of the Fellows Program also have the distinction of serving in positions such as Capitol Hill and White House staffers, award-winning journalists, CEOs of corporations and non-profit organizations, senior military leaders, and university presidents and deans.

Through the Nate Morris Fellowship, the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky has a unique opportunity to select one student each year to be a part of this program. 

Learn more about the CSPC

Nate Morris, Chairman & CEO, Morris Industries

Nate Morris is Chairman and CEO of Morris Industries, a privately held conglomerate headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. Founded in 2010, Morris Industries leverages the power of business to solve some of America’s biggest challenges. Morris also serves as Founder and Chairman of Republic Financial, a leading provider in life and health products to protect America’s hardworking families. 

Prior to Morris Industries, Nate Morris founded Rubicon, one of America’s largest waste and recycling companies operating in 50 states and 20 countries. Legally formed in 2009 with a $10,000 line of credit. Morris served as CEO for over 12 years.

Under his leadership, Morris led a $2-billion-dollar transaction to bring Rubicon public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and Rubicon was named “One of the World’s Most Innovative Companies” by Fast Company, an “Industry Disruptor” by Inc. Magazine, and a Great Place to Work™ 5 consecutive years, providing 100% free healthcare for all employees. Rubicon is only one of nine Kentucky companies to become public in the 230-year history of the New York Stock Exchange.

Morris was the first Kentuckian to be named to Fortune Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list and is a regional winner of EY’s Entrepreneur of Year Award. He is also the youngest inductee ever to the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.

By the age of 21, Morris worked in the U.S. House & Senate, the U.S. Department of Labor and The White House. Morris also worked for the American Cross and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.

A ninth-generation Kentuckian, Morris’ family descends from Morgan County, in the heart of Appalachia. A product of public schools, Morris was raised in a union household by a single mother.

Through academic scholarships and working, Morris graduated from George Washington University, studied public policy at Princeton University, and earned a business degree at Oxford University. He was elected Phi Beta Kappa and named a Fulbright Specialist Scholar. Morris holds an honorary doctorate of letters from the University of Pikeville.

Nate Morris is the founder and Managing Trustee of the Morris Foundation whose mission is to provide access to the American Dream for all Kentuckians. Morris currently serves as the Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics and is the Chairman for 2X Game Changers.

Morris and his wife Jane reside at Commonwealth Farm in Lexington.

Interested students must email a PDF of the following documents to DanielleLJohnson@uky.edu by June 1: