Dennis J. Murray
Dennis J. Murray (born 1950) is an American academic administrator who was the third President of Marist College, serving from 1979 to 2016 and, again, from 2019 to 2021.
Dr. Dennis J. Murray | |
---|---|
President of Marist College | |
In office 2019–2021 | |
Preceded by | David N. Yellen |
Succeeded by | Kevin Weinman |
In office 1979–2016 | |
Preceded by | Linus Richard Foy |
Succeeded by | David N. Yellen |
Personal details | |
Born | 1950 California |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | California State University, Long Beach (B.A.) University of Southern California (M.A., Ph.D.) |
Early life
Murray was born 1950 in California. He received a bachelor's degree in political science from California State University, Long Beach and his master's degree and Ph.D. in public administration from the University of Southern California.[1]
Career

Dr. 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, Steve Horn, and as Vice President for Development at Whittier College. "At Whittier he completed an $8 million capital campaign, including the funding of a $2.5 million student activities center."[1]
In 1979, Murray was selected to be the third President of Marist College.[1] He served as president from 1979 to 2016 and returned to that role on an interim basis from June 19, 2019 to October 2021. Murray had been the university's President Emeritus since July 1, 2016. In February, 2015, Murray had given advanced notice to the board of trustees, deciding to relinquish his daily role and responsibilities as the college's president when his contract was set to expire on June 30, 2016.[2]
Murray had been Marist's president during the academic years spanning from 1979 through the Spring of 2016. During Murray's lengthy tenure, Marist saw its enrollment more than double, 16 new academic programs were established, several new academic centers and student residences were added,[3] and the property was expanded to 180 acres (0.73 km2).[4][5]
Following his retirement, David N. Yellen was appointed President of the College. Yellen had spent eleven years as Dean and Professor of Law at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. After President Yellen resigned three years later, becoming CEO of the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System in 2021, Murray returned as interim president in 2019,[6] serving until 2021 when Kevin Weinman, the CFO and CAO at Amherst College, became President of the College.[7]
Selected honors and awards
- Franciscan Award from the Sisters of St. Francis
- Americanism Award from the Anti-Defamation League
- Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal, 1996[8]
References
- Davitz, Jeffrey (22 July 1979). "Marist gets new president". The Reporter Dispatch. p. 3. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- "MEMORANDUM TO THE MARIST COLLEGE COMMUNITY". Marist College. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- "POSTINGS: Marist's $19.6 Million High-Tech Complex; At 70, College Gets First Library". The New York Times. 26 December 1999. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- Guaimano, Tara (21 January 2020). "A Comprehensive History of President Murray's Leadership". MARIST CIRCLE. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- Heyman, Brian (4 March 2011). "After Building a Power at Marist, Coach Sees No Reason to Leave". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- Wilson, Geoffrey (June 19, 2019). "Marist College President David Yellen resigns; Dennis Murray named interim replacement". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- Cordero, Katelyn (July 22, 2021). "Marist names new president Kevin Weinman to succeed Dennis Murray, David Yellen". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- "About Marist - Dr. Dennis J. Murray". Marist College. Retrieved 28 August 2014.