McMurry University marked a historic milestone on September 26, 2025, as the campus community came together to formally install Dr. Lynne Murray as the University’s 11th president. While Dr. Murray assumed her role on January 10, 2025, the weeklong celebration served as the ceremonial beginning of her presidency — a moment not only for looking forward, but also for honoring the values and collective achievements that generations of alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends have helped shape.
Planning for Inauguration Week began as soon as Dr. Murray arrived in January, with Nancy Smith ‘79 spearheading the Inaugural Planning Committee that included representatives from across campus. Guided by the theme “Rising with Purpose — Transforming Lives and Communities,” the committee planned a weeklong celebration highlighting McMurry’s longstanding focus on academic excellence, Christian principles, and servant leadership.
Opening Ceremonies and Campus Engagement
Inauguration week began on Monday, September 22, with an Opening Ceremony for faculty and staff. There, Dr. Murray was presented with the presidential regalia she would wear for the official ceremony. She and her husband, Jeff, also received number 11 McMurry football jerseys in recognition of her role as the University’s 11th president.
Dr. Murray reflected on the impact faculty and staff have had on her throughout her career, noting the life-changing impact her professors had on her while she was in college. It was one of those professors who first told her to consider being president of a university. “They believed in me more than I believed in myself,” she said.
“I’ve worked at universities for much longer than I’ve been a president at one, so I’ve also learned so much from staff,” Dr. Murray said. “They put so much of themselves into a university, and they are as passionate about the services they provide as professors are about teaching.”
Tuesday began with a special chapel service for the campus. Gathered in the Mabee Room, students, faculty, and staff prayed with the featured speaker, the Rev. Stacey Piyakhun of the United Methodist Horizon Texas Conference.
That afternoon, the community gathered for a reception for the Inaugural Art Exhibition: Rising With Purpose. The exhibition featured a wide range of artistic media — painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, and more — created by artists from the McMurry community. Dr. Murray also presented her own work in the show.
“I started painting in 2020,” she said. “Art has given me joy later in life that I wish I had discovered earlier. It is truly something that I have found love and passion for. It was both wonderful and frightening to display my art in public for the first time. The most surprising moment was realizing there was artwork from staff and faculty as well, from people I didn’t know who made pottery or pursued photography on the side. I just loved that we had an opportunity to showcase a part of ourselves that many people don’t get to see.”
On Tuesday evening, a student picnic planned for the Quad was relocated to the Campus Center due to a sudden downpour. “Any chance for me to get to spend time with the students is something that I treasure,” Dr. Murray said. “We do so much work for the students, but that doesn’t mean I always get to spend time with them. Seeing the students is what I enjoy most about this role, so I was grateful that, despite the rain, we still got to share a picnic together.”
Leadership Meetings and Community Celebrations
Wednesday and Thursday focused on institutional leadership and academic engagement. The McMurry University Board of Trustees convened for formal planning and discussions, accompanied by a luncheon and faculty presentations on Wednesday.
“One of the most challenging things about Inauguration Week was hosting two full days of meetings with the board of trustees,” Dr. Murray said. “But it’s a testament to McMurry that despite a week of celebration, we all had work that we had to get done. I commend the board members, and I appreciate that they all traveled here, not just for their commitment to McMurry, but also to be with our community for the Inauguration festivities.”
After Thursday’s meetings came to a close, an Inauguration dinner was hosted at the Alamo on the Silverado, recognizing Dr. Murray’s professional trajectory, leadership philosophy, and commitment to McMurry. The event also served as an opportunity to express deep appreciation to those who contributed to the planning, support, and vision essential to McMurry’s evolving institutional direction. Alumni, community leaders, and friends from Abilene and beyond gathered for the celebration.
“Inauguration dinner at Silverado felt especially meaningful to me because it symbolized the community opening its doors,” Dr. Murray said. “It was a wonderful way to welcome us. People I know who are incredibly busy made time to be there, and that meant the world to me. That’s what I appreciate about Abilene — people show up.”
Inauguration Day
Friday morning, Inauguration Day, began with an intimate prayer breakfast. University Chaplain, the Rev. Ricky Harrison ‘14, opened the breakfast with a blessing before giving the floor to Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., resident bishop of the Horizon Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Bishop Saenz opened his homily to faculty, staff, and guests with a simple question: “Have you ever been weary?”
After a long week of events — and amid the broader challenges facing higher education — the answer was a resounding yes. He then reflected on the trials Jesus faced in the desert. “Bishop Saenz reminded us in moments like these that we must turn to God and hold fast to our faith,” Dr. Murray recounted.
Another meaningful moment came when Bishop Dan Solomon ’58, the University’s 2024 Distinguished Alumnus and a member of the McMurry 100, took the podium to give a blessing.
“It meant a great deal to see someone who graduated from McMurry almost 70 years ago return to campus to speak to us and offer a blessing. That kind of connection speaks to the impact that this university can have. In that moment, I felt supported and confident in what we can accomplish together.”
A short time later, the Inauguration Ceremony and Investiture began in Radford Auditorium. The event opened with “McMurry Centennial Fanfare” performed by trumpeters Dr. David Amlung and William Marshall ’26. Dr. Robert Wallace led the faculty processional, accompanied by the Abilene Pipers playing bagpipes.
Following the academic procession, the McMurry University Chanters and Key City Brass presented the National Anthem.
Rev. Harrison offered the invocation before Board of Trustees Chair Austin Pittman ’91 formally welcomed attendees. Greetings were extended by Abilene Mayor Weldon Hurt and student leader Carmen Velasquez, a first-generation student whose remarks reflected the pride and promise of McMurry’s next chapter.
The Board of Trustees’ charge was delivered by David Bailey ’04, who outlined expectations and affirmed the board’s confidence in the incoming president. The Investiture itself was conducted by Mr. Pittman, Bishop Saenz, and Dr. Wallace, who together bestowed upon Dr. Murray the authority and symbols of her office. The first symbol was McMurry’s ceremonial mace. The base of the wooden staff holds bands signifying each president of the university. In the center of the staff lies an eagle feather symbolizing strength and purpose. The globe of the mace captures the essence of the university. The Zuni bowl represents the Native American heritage of Dr. J.W. Hunt, McMurry’s founding father, who lived on the Kaw Indian Reservation as a child. At the crest of the globe sits the United Methodist cross and flame, symbolizing McMurry’s United Methodist heritage.
Next, Dr. Murray received her custom Chain of Office. The presidential medallion is suspended from a gold chain set with garnets and adorned with the iconic McM monogram. At its center, the medallion features Old Main, McMurry’s first building, with the founding year, 1923, inscribed in gold.
A Collective Vision
Dr. Murray then delivered her presidential address, one that she said she had been working on for almost as long as the planning of the ceremony.
“I think there’s a misconception that a president’s vision for a university is a sole vision,” she said. “It isn’t, and it shouldn’t be. A university’s vision grows out of where we’ve been, the values we share, and the strategic pillars the campus collectively approved through 2030. With that in mind, I wanted my address to honor our past, present, and future.”
Dr. Murray expressed gratitude to McMurry’s former president, Dr. Sandra S. Harper, along with other past presidents and their families who attended the inauguration.
“Everyone — board members, Dr. Harper, other university delegates, the mayor — said the same thing: ‘Call me,’” Dr. Murray said. “There is a network of support here, and it extends beyond me. It’s for McMurry.”