Morton earned a degree in economics from Southwestern in 1963 and started his banking career at Whitney National Bank in New Orleans. In 1967, he joined Texas Commerce Bank and served as president and/or chief executive officer for offices in Corpus Christi, El Paso and Houston. He concluded his career as chair and chief executive officer of Chase Bank of Texas-Austin in June 1998. After six years of retirement, Morton returned to banking and currently serves as chairman of the Austin region for Texas Capital Bank.

Morton has been a member of the Southwestern University Board of Trustees since 1987 and has served as co-vice chair of the board since 1996. He is one of three co-chairs for Thinking Ahead, a $125 million fundraising campaign that is the largest in Southwestern’s 166-year history.

Morton also has served on the executive board of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of Directors of The Real Estate Council of Austin. He was a member of the board and treasurer of St. David’s Health Care Foundation and on the board of the Texas Bankers Association.

He has chaired annual campaigns for the Austin United Way, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and the United Negro College Fund.

He received the Southwestern University Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1996.

“I am delighted that Merriman Morton has been elected by his peers for this position,” said Southwestern University President Jake B. Schrum. “His thoughtful, deliberate and incisive engagement in Southwestern’s mission and advancement place him in a perfect position for trustee leadership. I know he will be as successful in this volunteer role as he has been in his notable career as a leader in Texas banking.”

Morton replaces Houston businessman Jim Walzel, who has served as Board chair for the past six years.