Prof. Morgan Shipman dies

It is with a heavy heart that I report the passing on December 3, 2008 of Emeritus Professor Morgan Shipman of the Moritz College of Law (Ohio State University).

The following is from the announcement sent by Dean Alan C. Michaels:

Morgan was a unique individual and a beloved presence at the College, unsurpassed in his impact on the thousands of lawyers whom he trained. The appreciation of his students through the years was reflected in myriad ways. For example, students across nearly three different decades selected Morgan as the Outstanding Professor, and Shipman-trained lawyers banded together to create a scholarship fund at the College in his honor.
   

Morgan’s store of knowledge was truly encyclopedic. He was always happy to engage on any subject and in thirteen years as his colleague, I, for one, never found a topic that he did not seem to have detailed knowledge about. Students, faculty, and staff can all picture him holding forth, with a twinkle in his eye, and giving us insight into the subject at hand.  At the same time, Morgan always put students and the College first. He was a true team player who was deeply valued for his extraordinary contributions through a long career.
   

We will miss him deeply.

On a more personal note, I was one of Prof. Shipman’s students.  In fact, he taught my first class on my first day of law school (Federal Income Tax).  It was a memorable day which I still remember well.  I was in awe of his teaching skills and depth of knowledge.  He was tough and rigorous — something which prepared me well for the rest of my law school, practice, and teaching careers.  As just one example — when I took Advanced Income Tax I realized the advantage I had over students who were in other sections of the first semester course — at least half of the “advanced” course was a review of material that Prof. Shipman had already covered.