Daniel Morgan is the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award

Year Graduated
2010

Daniel started his creative career at JMU in 2006, graduating 2010 with a BFA concentration in Sculpture. He credits much of his thought process and passion for materials from his major advisor Greg Stewart who’s nomadic creations captivated and inspired him through these formative years. He was first introduced the field of industrial design by Bill Tate, who became another great source of inspiration to push the boundaries of what designers can offer society. Other faculty and staff that contributed greatly to his education and experience at JMU were Mark Rooker, Rich Hilliard, Allyson Mellberg Taylor, Ronn Daniels, and Eric Morris.

After graduating from JMU Daniel worked a variety of jobs around the world, from an engineering company in Uganda, to a guitar-making apprenticeship in Japan. He did graduate studies at the Rhode Island School of Design, receiving a Masters of Industrial Design in 2015, before starting a career in Innovation with Nike and Hurley. Within Nike’s Advanced Apparel Innovation Group Daniel has designed products and developed new technology for top athletes like Tiger Woods, Lebron James, Eliud Kipchoge, and Kai Lenny. His passion for making things is rivaled only by his joy of the ocean; when he isn’t designing sport products he spends as much time as possible at the coast, freediving for crabs, sailing a 19’ fixer-upper, and surfing on quirky home-made longboards.