David F. Morrill Promoted to Director of Media Relations & Communications at William & Mary Law School
Longtime staff member and William & Mary alumnus David F. Morrill has been named Director of Media Relations & Communications at William & Mary Law School.
“I firmly believe that William & Mary’s dedication to the concept of the citizen lawyer is more important than ever as the school educates leaders ready for the challenges of an ever-changing profession,” Morrill said. “Defining that concept and communicating its many manifestations in diverse students and alumni across media platforms is a particular point of pride for me.”
Morrill formerly served as Assistant Director of Communications at the Law School, and before that as Associate Director of Communications in University Development during the Campaign for William & Mary (2000-07).
“David's enduring dedication to our institution, showcased through many years of service, is truly commendable. His exceptional writing skills, creative prowess, and knack for forging meaningful connections within our community have set him apart,” says Doris Taylor, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer. “I have witnessed David's passion for his work, and I am confident that his unique talents will shine in his new role. I look forward to witnessing the continued success and impact David will undoubtedly bring to the marketing and communications team.”
With a wealth of experience as a writer, photographer, designer, and technologist, Morrill’s new duties will include collaborating with the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer to plan and execute communication initiatives across different areas including developing a comprehensive content strategy, developing news stories, working with local and national media outlets, writing/editing website content, creating targeted copy for social media, writing copy for promotional materials and other assigned tasks.
Morrill graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Hampshire with a B.A. in English literature and from William & Mary with an M.A. in same and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Called the “literary equivalent of a personal trainer” for his editorial expertise and knowledge of English literature and history, he became managing editor of Eighteenth-Century Life and Theatre Annual.
He coedited a number of book-length special issues of Eighteenth-Century Life for Johns Hopkins UP, among them The Art and Architecture of Versailles (1993) and Faces of Monstrosity in Eighteenth-Century Thought (1997). He also served as assistant editor of The Age of William III and Mary II, which spearheaded celebrations of William & Mary’s 300th anniversary.
Morrill is one of ca. 300 invested members of the international literary society, The Baker Street Irregulars, and has been known to lecture on Conan Doyle, Poe, Shelley, Stoker, and other penny dreadfuls when the fit is upon him.
He is the author of Reading the Signs: Some Observations and Aperçus on Film and Television Adaptations of “The Sign of Four” (2008) and co-author/editor of Dancing to Death: A Facsimile of the Original Manuscript of “The Dancing Men” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with Annotations and Commentary (2016). He is currently writing a lengthy collection of exegetical/confessional essays, Memoirs of a Mangy Sherlockaholic.