On Dec. 31, 2024 Dr. Lynne Murray will officially step down from her position as Baker University’s 29th president. After serving in the role for ten and a half years, Murray will move on to the University President role at McMurry University, in Abilene, Texas.
Before coming to Baker, Murray worked at Johns Hopkins, where she discovered her passion.
“[I] learned the value of fundraising, doing phone-a-thon and telethons back in the day,” Murray said. “So that really inspired then to continue my mission of working with institutions to raise money.”
After her time at Johns Hopkins, Murray began pursuing her doctorate degree at Gallaudet University in special education administration.
“I didn’t realize that I wanted to be a president when I started my doctoral program,” Murray said. “My advisor, Dr. Bill Marshall, had asked me ‘What do you want to be?’ ‘Why are you getting this degree’? And I said ‘I want to be vice president for advancement.’ And he was the first one whoever said ‘Why not president’?”
Murray added that this was the first time she considered the job and thought she had what it took to hold that position and began to search for opportunities.
“I looked at the strengths I had and the experiences I had and I was looking for an institution where they would fit together. Where I thought I could use them to advance the institution,” Murray said. “And I found Baker and Baker found me.”
Murray is especially proud of her role in the Forever Orange campaign, which was started in 2016 and officially announced in 2018, under Murray’s tenure as president. The campaign raised $41 million for a variety of university endeavors, including scholarships, capital projects and endowed professorships.
Murray also reflected on the Day of Giving, a relatively new initiative through which Baker alumni can donate to certain areas on campus, like academics, athletics or Greek life. Students no longer pick up the phones and call alumni, instead the initiative relies on videos and social media campaigns.
“But really looking at those faculty and sometimes putting them in front of alumns who remember them as the best professor they ever had, it’s a great thing,” Murray said. “So, the Day of Giving just works.”
From wearing a hard hat in the student union while it was still under construction to launching new academic programs, Murray has seen a lot of change.
“To see growth in exercise science and in the sciences, to see growth in programs that we’ve launched, like the new engineering program, those are changes that I’m really proud of,” Murray said.
As the role of university president has changed over the years, Murray adapted in ways to secure university advancement across several areas.
“The president of the 1980s isn’t the president of 2024, things have changed so much. I think very much you have to know a little bit about every single area,” Murray said. “Whether it’s academics, financial whether it’s enrollment. So lots of hats that you have to wear and you have to be knowledgeable about.”
At universities the size of Baker, the role of a president may take on a different form than the one at large schools.
“Here at small colleges, whether Baker or anywhere, we all are expected to do what we can,” Murray said. “So sometimes it may not look like the job of a president, but if it needs to get done, you need to do it. So someone is willing to join us and get things done.”
Murray will remember her time at Baker with fond memories. Such as listening to students read their work for the arts and literacy magazine, the “Watershed” aloud, “seeing students do great things” and watching the 2016 football team win the semifinals to advance to the NAIA National Championship.
“And we won that game, but it was such a nail- biter and to see the students in their orange rush that field, it was just wonderful,” Murray said.
Murray acknowledges that at this point in her career and in Baker’s history, it is time for her to leave.
“It’s time not just for Lynne Murray but for the institution,” Murray said. “And it just seemed like the right time. Baker has a great opportunity in front of it. The next president can take it to even greater heights, breathe some new energy and life to the university at this stage. And I just think it’s a win-win.”
She added that what she will miss most about Baker is the students.
“I am going to miss you, I am going to miss the students. I really am. I also know that it’s not goodbye, it’s ‘I’ll be back.’ And I’ll be forever orange and I’ll always root for Baker and cheer Baker on and wish for you every success as a student,” Murray said.
After serving in the position for over a decade, Murray knows the qualities to look for in the next president and what is needed from them.
“I would like the next president of Baker to be transparent and open, a great communicator, great role model and inspiration for our students. A supportive leader for our faculty and staff, someone who is not afraid to get their hands dirty,” Murray said.
Murray shares that she is excited to meet the new students at her next institution and get to know them. The move to Texas excites her as she has always loved Texas. Murray add that she sees this new position as a way to grow not just professionally but as a person as well.
Even as Murray is leaving Baker, she hopes that her legacy will continue on.
“A legacy truly is what kind of person were you. Will you be remembered as kind, compassionate, caring and inspirational or a role model. So that is the legacy I hope to leave here.”
