April 16, 1998
TO: President's Advisory Group
Senior Planning Group
FROM: Judith Rodin
John A. Fry
RE: Steve Murray
It is with deep regret and great sadness that we write to inform you of the death of Steve Murray after a long illness. Steve was a gifted colleague, but most importantly, a wonderful friend. He was completely devoted to Penn and his long and tireless efforts on behalf of the University will continue to benefit generations of students, members of the faculty and the staff. We will miss him.
Steve came to the University in 1974 as Director of Transportation and Communications. He was promoted to Director of Business Services in 1982, Associate Vice President in 1987 and Vice President for Business Services in 1992. Under his marvelous leadership and guidance, the Division of Business Services experienced continuous growth, establishing itself as an effective and innovative organization that provided high-quality service to the campus community.
No one in the University administration was more admired and respected by his colleagues. He continually demonstrated a unique ability to accept responsibility for areas in financial and organizational distress and make them successful, in spirit as well as in a fiduciary sense. That is precisely why the Division of Business Services now encompasses the University of Pennsylvania Book Store, Computer Connection, Dining Services, Housing Services, the Ice Rink, Mail Services, the Morris Arboretum, Penn's Children Center, Penntrex, PennCard Center, Publication Services, the Sheraton University City Hotel, Telecommunications, Transportation and Parking, and Voicemail. Clearly, we and so many others had an extraordinary level of confidence in him and his many and varied skills. We have all benefited from his counsel, and we came to depend on him time and again. He never, ever let us down.
His accomplishments at Penn were many. Among the most recent are the new Food Services model that will dramatically enhance our food service programs and facilities; the Residential Operations Department that will oversee the implementation of the College House Program; and the development of the University of Pennsylvania Bookstore and The Inn at Penn at Sansom Common.
Steve was a 1968 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, where he received a bachelor's degree in political science. He received a master's degree through Wharton's Executive M.B.A. program in 1982.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Barbara, and son, Craig.