Events

Endowed Scholarship, Renamed Student Center Mark President Murray’s Transition to President Emeritus

Marist College
 

$2 million raised for Dennis and Marilyn Murray Endowed Scholarship Fund; Murray Student Center dedicated at special tribute ceremony

POUGHKEEPSIE (June 27, 2016) – As President Dennis J. Murray prepares to step down after 37 years in office and transition to his new role as President Emeritus, his legacy of success can be seen all across the College. Two of the most recent and prominent examples were unveiled at a special tribute held last month in honor of President and Mrs. Murray.

An image of Dennis J. Murray and Marilyn Murray From the stage of the Nelly Goletti Theatre, the Tribute Event Co-Chairs, Trustees Genine McCormick ’88 and Jim Barnes ’68, announced that more than $2 million had been raised for the Dennis and Marilyn Murray Endowed Scholarship Fund. Launched with a generous lead gift from Chair of the Board Ellen Hancock and her husband, Jason, the scholarship has been supported to date by 445 members of the Marist community – trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends – including the more than 350 people who attended the May event.

"Dennis and Marilyn have always placed the greatest emphasis on increasing access to Marist for talented and deserving students," Chair Hancock said, "which is why an endowed scholarship is such an appropriate way to honor their legacy."

The scholarship fund will provide invaluable support for a cohort of Murray Scholars each academic year. The specific awarding criteria will be determined by President and Mrs. Murray in the coming months.

The entire Marist community thanks: Trustee Tim Brier ’69; immediate past Chair of the Board Rob Dyson and the Dyson Foundation; Rob Shanahan ’83; the James J. McCann Charitable Trust and Trustees Dick Corbally and Mike Gartland; the Jane W. Nuhn Charitable Trust and Trustees Edward Cunningham and Michael de Cordova; the Louis Greenspan Charitable Trust and Trustees Dan Curtin and Gary Koch; Vice Chair of the Board Ross Mauri and his wife, Barbara; Trustee Tom Ward and his wife, Mary; Joe Negler ’70 and his wife, Becky, all of whose leadership played an important role in the success of this initiative honoring the Murrays.

An image of Board Chair Ellen Hancock and Trustee Chris McCann at the event "The tremendous outpouring of support for this special initiative is a direct reflection of the Marist community’s respect, admiration and love for President and Mrs. Murray," said Vice President for College Advancement Chris DelGiorno. "Their impact on Marist and the Hudson River Valley has been truly immeasurable, and this scholarship helps perpetuate their steadfast commitment to help future generations enjoy the benefits of a world-class Marist education." 

Also announced at the tribute event was the naming of the Student Center in honor of President and Mrs. Murray. The proposal to name the building for the Murrays was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees after first being proposed by a group of student, faculty, and staff leaders.

"It’s obvious to everyone in the College community that Dennis and Marilyn care deeply about Marist students and love to be in their presence at concerts, plays, and sporting events," Chair Hancock said. "Dennis has put the student experience at the center of everything he’s done as President for the past 37 years, so it makes perfect sense to put the Murray name on the building that functions as the heart of student life on campus."

While President and Mrs. Murray were aware of the scholarship, the amount raised and the naming of the Student Center in their honor were both surprises when they were announced live at the event.

"Marilyn and I are very grateful to everyone who supported these wonderful tribute efforts," President Murray said. "It is certainly nice to have a building named in your honor, but the best honor of all is the scholarship, which will expand opportunities for talented and deserving students to afford a Marist education, a cause that has been so important to us from the very beginning. We want to thank the entire Marist community for all they have done for us, but more importantly for all they have done for Marist College over the years."

An image of the renamed Murray Student Center

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