U. mourns loss of Business Services VP

Steve Murray died of cancer, leaving a void in Penn's Business Services. Vice President for Business Services Steve Murray, a veteran of the University who was the architect of initiatives ranging from the redesigned PennCards to the new Inn at Penn, died Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 51. Murray served the University community for nearly 25 years, leaving behind an extensive list of accomplishments, along with a number of devoted colleagues committed to keeping his memory alive. After earning a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of New Hampshire, Murray journeyed to Penn to become its director of transportation and communications in 1974. He earned a master's degree through Wharton's Executive M.B.A. program in 1982. Murray quickly moved up the ranks of the University and was promoted to vice president for business services in 1992, a post he held until his death. "He was a mentor and a leader," said Laurie Cousart, director of Penn's telecommunications and campus services. "He taught us how to do things and then gave us the freedom to try them." Executive Vice President John Fry, who oversaw Murray's office, said last night that he was "incredibly sad" about Murray's death. "He was just the best of friends," he added. Under Murray's leadership, the University decided to keep Dining Services under Penn management while contracting out dining operations in the new Perelman Quadrangle to the Menlo Park, California-based Bon Appetit. Additionally, Murray helped iron out plans for the 250-room Inn at Penn, scheduled to open in the new Sansom Common retail complex in fall 1999, and was instrumental in equipping the PennCard with new cash chip functions last fall. His department deals with many facets of the University community, including The Book Store, Dining Services, telecommunications and Penntrex. But many of his colleagues say Murray's influence extended far beyond the confines of number-crunching and funneling millions of dollars into the University budget. Murray's "long and tireless efforts on behalf of the University will continue to benefit generations of students, members of the faculty and the staff," Fry and University President Judith Rodin said in a joint statement yesterday. "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." The letter -- which was distributed to employees and posted on Almanac's Web site -- described Murray as a "gifted colleague" and "wonderful friend." Vice President for Finance Kathy Engebretson echoed this sentiment, noting that Murray was "one of my very favorite people at Penn." Cousart stressed that it will be difficult to find a replacement for Murray, who she said possessed a special blend of financial savvy and genuine compassion. "There's a very big hole without him here," she said. "I know I wouldn't be the professional I am today without him." Associate Vice President for Business Services Marie Witt has been named interim vice president for business services, and administrators will soon begin to search for a permanent replacement, Fry said. Although Fry said Witt is "cut in Murray's mold," he added that "there's no silver lining in this." Witt could not be reached for comment last night. Murray is survived by his wife Barbara and son Craig. Murray's family could not be reached for comment, and no information on his funeral arrangements was available last night.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.