Looking Ahead, Reflecting on Our Past: Building on Cornell’s First 150 Years

Thursday, April 14, 2016
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

The Denver Athletic Club
1325 Glenarm Pl.
Denver, CO 80204

$20 per person
Includes complimentary beverages, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar for beer and wine.

Throughout 2015, Cornell University celebrated its Sesquicentennial, literally around the world. Now, the University is poised to launch its second 150 years, building on a formidable foundation with visions of an exciting future. Vice President Emerita Susan H. Murphy ’73, PhD ’94 will share her thoughts and observations about Cornell, spanning her 38 years as an administrator and 45+ years since she first stepped on campus: what has changed over those decades and what has remained constant through the years. She also will discuss the emerging themes and priorities that are defining the University’s next chapter.

Susan H. Murphy served Cornell University as Vice President for Student and Academic Services (SAS) from July 1994 until June 2105. As the Chief Student Affairs Officer for the University, she oversaw virtually all aspects of student life beyond the classroom. During her tenure, she and her colleagues led significant changes in first year programming, residential life (including the Greek system), the expansion of programs supporting racial, ethnic, religious and LGBT communities, growth of civic engagement among students and faculty, success in intercollegiate athletics and a major focus on the health and wellness of students.

Currently, she works part-time in Alumni Affairs and Development, focusing on specific fund-raising projects and alumni engagement activities.

A 1973 graduate of Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences, Susan majored in History. She subsequently completed master’s degrees at Stanford University and Montclair State College. In 1994, she earned a Ph.D. in Educational Administration at Cornell.

Susan joined the Cornell staff in 1978 following work as a guidance counselor and head of the guidance department at Chatham Borough High School in Chatham, New Jersey. For sixteen years she worked in Admissions and Financial Aid, including nine years as Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid.

Susan serves as an Emeritus Director of the United Way of Tompkins County and is a member of the Visiting Committee for the Dean of Student Life at MIT. She also is a Trustee of Adelphi University and is a member of the Board of Directors for Acme United, Inc, a company listed on the NYSE. Recently she joined the Board of Directors for Kendal@Ithaca and also the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.

For event questions, please contact Keo Frazier at klf5@cornell.edu or text to 303-884-4845.

For event registration questions, please contact Donna Carl at dc37@cornell.edu.