Invasion of Privacy: Joe Morgan and finding healing in an unconventional college life

“I feel like I have to say, ‘I’m not weird, guys. I just had this thing that stopped me from doing what I wanted when I was 18.’”

Senior English major Joe Morgan has had an unconventional college journey, to say the least. At almost 40 years old, Morgan made the brave decision to pursue a college degree and explore his passion for English literature after being barred from higher education at an early age. 

“Growing up a Jehovah’s Witness, higher education was… forbidden,” Morgan said. “When my wife and I left the ‘cult’ in 2015, there was this little light that opened up saying ‘You have nothing stopping you; you could do it.’” 

To not only remove yourself, but your wife and family from a group like the Jehovah’s Witnesses is final; once the decision is made, one is excommunicated from the rest of their family that remains tied to the religion. At first, Morgan understandably felt the strain of becoming involved in higher education after having been removed from the institution for his whole life:

“Orientation was really weird. They were like, ‘No, it’s mandatory.’ That was probably the peak awkwardness. I didn’t know anybody, I felt very out of place,” Morgan explained. “I was like, ‘I’m here for a very different reason, I’m at a different point in my life, I’m not into extracurriculars.’ But I will say, in my two years at Geneseo people have been wonderful to me. I’ve developed great friendships and relationships; it’s been a very welcoming environment.” 

Morgan also has the unique experience of living close to campus with his wife and four children, almost comically close to one of Geneseo’s many fraternities. When asked about this living arrangement, Morgan was, as always, incredibly easy-going:

“When we bought the house we were like, ‘Oh… God.’ I mean, they play their music and they make some noise and we hear them on the roof but like, it really hasn’t been bad. Yes, there are times when you get woken up at one in the morning by someone in a mop bucket rolling down Center Street, [...] but it’s like free entertainment.”

Speaking of Morgan’s home life, juggling education, work, and family has of course had its ups and downs, but Morgan has a dedicated and loving support system to accompany him on his way to achieving his goals.

“My wife is an absolute saint and angel,” Morgan said. “She picks up the slack when it’s crunch time for a paper, you know, when everybody wants to go do something on a Sunday afternoon, but I really have to do this paper. She sees how good this is for me… how good this is for my soul… there is absolutely no way I could do it without her.”

Despite English being a time-consuming discipline, Morgan has not only been able to balance his two lives but has also found empathy and understanding from his peers and professors in the English department.

“It’s magical. Everyone is amazing. I haven’t had a bad interaction with a professor; it’s only ever been positive. Everyone’s willing to go above and beyond—they’re caring, and they take extra time and answer emails. It’s made me want to be someone in that position someday—they’ve just set the bar so high,” said Morgan. “Dr. Doggett still scares me a little, but I think that after two years I’ve finally worn him down.”

In perfectly fitting English major fashion, Morgan leaves the audience with a simple piece of advice:

“Read Moby-Dick. If you think you hated it, wait twenty years, and then read it again.” 

It is through literature and writing that Morgan has found peace: “It [has been] one of the most healing things for me. It’s filled me, even though I lost so many relationships when I left the church, I’ve developed all these new ones here that have filled this huge void I’ve had. [...] If I could give one piece of advice other than Moby-Dick… your motivation from within is so much more powerful than that desire to please. Even if you’re worried about disappointing someone you can’t imagine disappointing, do it. Do whatever you know is worth everything… be authentic and be kind, and it’ll be great.”