LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Dr. Dennis J. and Marilyn Murray upon
the occasion of their designation for special recognition by The Marist
College Board of Trustees on May 6, 2016

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its
history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educa-
tional professionals and the students they inspire; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
distinguished careers of those outstanding educational leaders, whose
dedication and achievements have been instrumental in developing charac-
ter and academic excellence in the young people of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Dr. Dennis J. and Marilyn Murray upon the occasion of their designation
for special recognition by The Marist College Board of Trustees, cele-
brated at an event held in their honor on Friday, May 6, 2016, at Marist
College Campus, Poughkeepsie, New York; and
WHEREAS, A native Californian, Dennis J. Murray received a bachelor's
degree in Political Science from California State University, Long
Beach, and both his master's degree and Ph.D. in Public Administration
from the University of Southern California; and
WHEREAS, Prior to his appointment at Marist College, Dr. Dennis J.
Murray taught at the USC School of International and Public Affairs, and
served as Director of University Relations and Executive Assistant to
the President at California State University, Long Beach, and as Vice
President for Development at Whittier College; and
WHEREAS, With the support of his loving wife, Dr. Dennis J. Murray
began his long and esteemed career as President of Marist College in
1979; he came to the school with a goal of building a student-centered
institution which would prepare students for graduate school, successful
professional careers, and lives of civic responsibility; and
WHEREAS, Under Dr. Dennis J. Murray's luminous leadership, Marist
College has enjoyed an exceptional period of growth and change; many
distinctive academic programs and student services have been added,
enrollments have more than quadrupled, and the College has become one of
the most selective institutions in the country; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dennis J. Murray was instrumental in tripling the size of
the campus by building new academic buildings, student residences, a
Student Center, a state-of-the-art library, and a sports stadium; most
recently, the contemporary Hancock Center has emerged as both the archi-
tectural and academic focal point of the campus; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Marist College has received the gift of the
historic Colonel Oliver Hazard Payne mansion and 60-acre estate to be
used for the leadership training of students from the College and from
around the world; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Dr. Dennis J. Murray has forged numer-
ous community and corporate relationships which have greatly benefited
the College; early in his tenure, he recognized the important role that
information technology would play in enhancing the teaching and learning
process; thanks to a longtime partnership with the IBM Corporation,
Marist College has become one of the Nation's most technologically
advanced liberal arts colleges; and
WHEREAS, Today, this sophisticated computing environment is helping
students gain the knowledge and skills they will need to be competitive
in their chosen careers; the James A. Cannavino Library has gained
recognition as one of the finest libraries in the world combining both
digital and traditional resources; and

WHEREAS, Devoted to the students of Marist College, Dr. Dennis J. and
Marilyn Murray can often be found at student athletic events, musical
performances, and activities sponsored by more than 75 student clubs and
organizations; Dennis frequently interacts with student leaders at
luncheons and dinners, and takes particular pride in celebrating the
accomplishments of his students in the classroom, on the playing fields,
and in the community; and
WHEREAS, Marist College is increasingly being recognized as a national
leader in education; the College is listed in THE PRINCETON REVIEW'S
"The Best 373 Colleges in the Country," and U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
ranked Marist in the top 10 of colleges and universities in the north-
east, as well as one of 70 schools to watch nationwide; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Marist College's AACSB-accredited School of
Management is ranked among "The Best 300 Business Schools" by THE
PRINCETON REVIEW; and is listed in KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE MAGA-
ZINE'S annual review of the "100 Best Buys in Private Colleges," as well
as in BARRON'S 231 "Best Buys in College Education"; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, THE PRINCETON REVIEW and FORBES named Marist College
one of the 25 "Most Connected Campuses" in America, and it was selected
by the John Templeton Foundation as one of the Nation's leading colleges
to encourage character development; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to the community in which he lives and works, Dr.
Dennis J. Murray serves on the Board of Directors for the Greenway
Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley and the Roosevelt Institute,
which supports the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library in nearby
Hyde Park, New York; and
WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to the field of
education and to his community, Dr. Dennis J. Murray has been the recip-
ient of numerous awards and accolades including the Franciscan Award
from the Sisters of St. Francis, the Americanism Award from the Anti-De-
famation League, and the Family of the Year Award from Family Services;
and
WHEREAS, In 1996, Dr. Dennis J. Murray received the Eleanor Roosevelt
Val-Kill Medal at a ceremony also honoring Queen Noor of Jordan, the
late Lea Rabin of Israel, and the late Marist Trustee Frances Reese,
founder of the environmental movement in America; HUDSON VALLEY magazine
described him as one of the 35 most influential people in the history of
the region; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Marilyn, and his two
children, Marian and Michael, all of whom feel privileged to be a part
.SO DOC S R5121 RESO TEXT 2015
of his life and rejoice in his accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Educators like Dr. Dennis J. Murray provide a tremendous
service to the future of our State and Nation, inspiring generations of
young people in their educational journeys and ensuring their success in
their future years; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dennis J. Murray has clearly had an enduring impact on
the students of Marist College, as well as on the community-at-large,
and accordingly merits recognition and applause for his impressive dedi-
cation to others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those individuals who work to support our proud tradition of
higher education by providing their skills and talents to our colleges;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Dr. Dennis J. and Marilyn Murray upon the occasion of their
designation for special recognition by The Marist College Board of Trus-
tees on May 6, 2016; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Dennis J. and Marilyn Murray.