Murphy

Cornell Hillel's Board of Trustees has chosen Susan Murphy '73, Ph.D. '94, vice president for student and academic services at Cornell since 1994, to receive the 2012 Tanner Prize for her career-long efforts to enhance Jewish life at Cornell.

The prize will be presented June 15 at the Cornell Club in New York City. Harold Tanner '52, chairman emeritus of the Cornell Board of Trustees, will present the prize bearing his name; Cornell President David Skorton will also speak at the luncheon.

"I am honored to participate in this extremely well-deserved recognition of Susan Murphy," said Skorton. "I have the pleasure of working with and learning from her on a regular basis in her senior leadership role at Cornell. Her skills, intellect and dedication to the university and its students are truly remarkable."

The Tanner Prize, established by Cornell Hillel's board in 2004, is awarded to a person, couple or family making significant contributions to Cornell and to Jewish life.

"In selecting Susan Murphy, we are reminded of her passion for Cornell and her long-standing support for dynamic Jewish life on campus. Through her leadership and guidance, Susan has left a lasting mark on Jewish life. As many students develop their life-long Jewish identities while at Cornell, their positive experiences while on campus have an incalculable effect on the larger Jewish world for decades thereafter," said Seth "Yossi" M. Siegel '74, J.D. '78, founder of the prize and past chair of the Cornell Hillel board, as well as the chair of the event.

"I am honored Cornell Hillel has selected me for such a special award," said Murphy. "Not only is the prize named for one of the greatest friends of the university, but I am honored to join such a prestigious list of prior prize recipients. I have attended several Tanner Prize luncheons and frankly never thought I might be given this honor. The unexpected nature of it makes it all the sweeter."

Under Murphy's direction at Cornell are academic support, campus life, the dean of students, Greek life, international students, career services, public service, religious affairs, athletics and physical education, health services and the Cornell Commitment.

A history major in the College of Arts and Sciences, Murphy has master's degrees from Stanford University and Montclair State University. Her Ph.D. is in educational administration.

Murphy joined Cornell in 1978 after working as a guidance counselor and head of a high school guidance department in Chatham, N.J. For 16 years she worked in admissions and financial aid, including nine years as dean of admissions and financial aid.

Murphy is also a member of the Policy Committee of the Council of Ivy Presidents. She has held statewide and national positions in the College Board and the National Association of College Admission Counselors.

Cornell Hillel is a part of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world.