Nissan Executive Wins 2003 Alumni Achievement Award from Westminster College

    FULTON, Mo.--May 8, 2003--James "Jim" C. Morton, Jr., a senior executive with Nissan North America, has received the 2003 Alumni Achievement Award from Westminster College in Fulton, Mo.
    Morton currently serves as senior vice president of administration and finance for Nissan North America, Inc., in Gardena, Calif. He is president of the Nissan Foundation and a board member of Nissan North America, Inc., Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation and Nissan Canada, Inc. Morton is a member of the North American Management Committee and the U.S. Management Committee. He also serves on the boards of several industry organizations, including the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers.
    Westminster's Alumni Achievement Award has been presented annually by the Westminster Board of Trustees since 1956, as an official recognition of individual achievement in the recipient's chosen field of endeavor. The award is considered one of the highest honors that Westminster can confer on an alumnus.
    Founded in 1851, Westminster is internationally recognized for hosting major leaders, such as Sir Winston Churchill who made his famous 'Iron Curtain Speech' at Westminster in 1946. Since then, Westminster has continued to attract top government and business leaders from around the world -- and has centered its educational mission on graduating the world's future 'leaders of character.'
    "Westminster College provided me with an excellent academic background in the Liberal Arts," said Morton. "This training, combined with the opportunity to assume a variety of leadership positions, prepared me for the challenges I have faced in the corporate business world the past 30 years."
    Morton graduated from Westminster in 1967 with a degree in economics. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta, the Honor Commission, Student Government, and was a staff member on the school newspaper. Morton was also a 2nd Lieutenant in the ROTC program.
    Following graduation, Morton served in the U.S. Army at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., and in the Republic of South Vietnam. He reached the rank of 1st Lieutenant while on active duty and received a Bronze Star for service in South Vietnam. Morton served in the Missouri Army National Guard, Military Police Corps, attaining the rank of Captain, and was the Company Commander of the unit based in Fulton, Mo., while attending law school at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Morton graduated from law school in 1972.
    Morton worked for Arthur Andersen & Company and the General Dynamics Corporation in various tax accounting and legal positions prior to joining Michelin North America, Inc. in 1976. Morton held a variety of positions with Michelin in Greenville, S.C., in the company's communications, legal and government affairs departments from 1976-2000, including director of public relations and governmental affairs, general council for Michelin North America, executive director of external relations and vice president, public relations and government affairs.
    Morton is involved in the community, serving on the California Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Urban League. While in Greenville, S.C., he served on many community boards and organizations, including the Greenville Symphony, Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Greenville United Way, Metro Greenville YMCA, South Carolina Governor's school for Science & Mathematics. He also served as president and board member of the Educational Resources Foundation for Technical Education and Economic Development. He was the chair of the South Carolina Good Government Committee and member of the South Carolina Reorganization Commission from 1987-98. Morton coached numerous youth soccer teams in the 1970s and 1980s, and was an organizer and president of the St. Giles Soccer Club.
    Morton and his wife, Susan, reside in Manhattan Beach, Calif. They have three children, James Morton III, Terrissa Miles, and Scott Morton; and one grandchild, James Morton IV.

    About Westminster College

    Founded in 1851, Westminster is one of the Midwest's top private liberal arts colleges, according to the rankings of U.S. News and World Report. The Washington Post also lists Westminster as one of the Top 20 "Hidden Gems" among U.S. colleges and universities. This highly selective College for men and women is situated on an 86-acre residential campus, with small class sizes taught by top-notch instructors.
    Located in Fulton, Mo., Westminster recently made headlines when it actually reduced the cost of tuition for incoming students by 20% for Fall 2003, in order to make a high-quality education more affordable to a broader range of students. The tuition reduction was made possible by the strength of Westminster's existing endowment, the on-going financial support from alumni, and the existence of staff and facilities that support a larger student body.
    For more information, go to www.westminster-mo.edu.

    About Nissan North America, Inc.

    In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissanusa.com or contact the corporate media line at 310/771-5631.