As a former English major, I remember reading Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem, “Mutability.” The poem’s theme is about the inevitability of change, life’s one constant. After serving McMurry University for 21 years (with an 18-year gap at three other institutions), it is time to reflect on the change that has happened to our dear McMurry during this timeframe. In many ways, this period has been like a fantastic roller coaster ride full of excitement, fear, and motion. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, we saw the ethos of McMurry’s Servant Leadership Program come to fruition. We changed from McMurry College to McMurry University.
Over the past four decades, we’ve changed presidents three (and about to be four) times. We’ve said hello and goodbye to favorite students, faculty and staff members, administrators, and trustees. We finished our first century of educating students in West Texas and started our second century with linkages across the state and the nation. We’ve added academic programs like cybersecurity and sports like softball and esports. We’ve renovated Old Main and the Campus Center and added student apartments. We’ve dominated in playwriting competition, undergraduate research, track and field, and cross country, and have been successful for the first time in 41 years as co-conference champions in football.
I walked around campus a few weeks ago, visiting my communication classroom and offices in Ryan. However, the most poignant moment of this final year was the picture taken for the university Christmas card with the McMurry faculty and staff who have served with me during these past 11 years. This is a special group that has stayed in the arena through the transitions in intercollegiate athletics, SACSCOC reaffirmation of accreditation, COVID-19, the winter blast known as The Texas Freeze of February 2021, the Centennial Celebration, and two strategic plans: McMurry Momentum and The Second Century.
My accomplishments pale compared to the relationships built and nurtured throughout the decades. Interacting during Homecoming 2023 and Homecoming 2024 was my joy with several former students, now accomplished alums. Seeing them as productive citizens and remembering them 30 years ago as young students finding their way in the world was such a gift. Friendships nurtured at McMurry and lasting for a lifetime are always treasures and are evident at Homecoming, particularly at other university and non-university gatherings throughout the years. Our Final Ala Cumba ceremony on the Sunday morning of Homecoming is a touching reminder of the fragility of life and our bond with McMurry community members even after they have passed away.
To be able to visit with many of the McMurry 100 award winners or their families at Homecoming 2023 was also a fantastic experience, linking these stalwarts of our McMurry
history with our successes of the present. And the Centennial Gala was a party to remember! One of my favorite musicals from years past is A Chorus Line. The lyrics of one of the songs, with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban, seem particularly appropriate for my final message to the McMurry Community:
Kiss today goodbye
The sweetness and the sorrow
Wish me luck, and the same to you
But I can’t regret
What I did for love, what I did for love
Dr. Sandra S. Harper
President, McMurry University