Robert Barker/University Photography

Vice President for Student and Academic Services Susan Murphy reacts to the festivities held in her honor April 7 in the Ramin Room of Bartels Hall.

Robert Barker/University Photography

Serenading Murphy are, from left, Vice President Charlie Phlegar, President David Skorton, Vice President Joel Malina, Vice President Mary Opperman and Vice President KyuJung Whang.

Robert Barker/University Photography

Murphy reads a framed list of contributors to a gift naming a floor in the University Health Services facility in her honor.

Robert Barker/University Photography

Yamatai, Cornell's Taiko drumming team, was one of several student groups that performed.

In a career that transformed the student experience at Cornell, Susan H. Murphy ’73, Ph.D. ’94, vice president for student and academic services, may be remembered most for her focus on student health and well-being.

Addressing Murphy at the retirement celebration held in her honor April 7, President David Skorton announced that the board of trustees has approved “with deepest gratitude to you” the naming of a floor in the University Health Services facility: the Susan H. Murphy Administration and Health Promotion Floor. About 500 alumni, students, colleagues, staff and faculty attended the event.

The naming is the result of gifts from more than 600 Cornellians who responded to a request by an ad hoc “Thanks, Susan” committee – headed by Ed Butler ’63, M.S. ’65, Nancy Butler ’64, Penny Haitkin ’65, Casey Phlegar ’15 and Kent Sheng ’78 – to show their “admiration and affection” for Murphy. Skorton gave Murphy a framed listing of all contributors.

The program also included Murphy’s Pi Phi sorority sisters, Sherri Stuewer ’73, M.S. ’75, and Mary McIlroy ’72; Ross Gitlin ’15, undergraduate student-elected trustee; colleagues Mary Opperman, vice president for human resources and safety services, and Kent Hubbell ’69, the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students; Donna Barsotti, a member of the Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Council; and a video message from Robert S. Harrison ’76, chairman of the Cornell Board of Trustees, and Jan Rock Zubrow ’77, chair of the board’s Executive Committee.

Murphy “has lived and breathed Cornell, actually, for most of her life,” Skorton said. An undergraduate history major, she earned two master’s degrees before returning to Ithaca to become associate director of admissions. She later became the Ivy League’s first female dean of admissions and financial aid.

After receiving her Ph.D., Murphy became Cornell’s first vice president for student and academic services. “She largely defined the position,” Skorton said, “through the extraordinary energy, determination, organizational skills and dedication to student well-being that she has shown throughout her career.” In addition to enhancing the quality of the Cornell student experience through the re-creation of North and West Campuses, Murphy “has served as a wise and caring and strong leader … her efforts have brought us closer to being the diverse, inclusive and caring community that we aspire to be,” Skorton said.

Gitlin spoke of Murphy’s caring for students, especially in the midst of crises, and recognized her for being “incredibly responsive,” with a door that was “always open.” Barsotti thanked her for the support and time she has given to the Greek community. Hubbell noted Murphy’s problem-solving ability “to find a path forward”; similarly, Opperman said that Murphy was “one of the most positive and resilient people I know.”

Recalling their sorority years and their many shared vacations since, Stuewer and McIlroy talked about Murphy’s loyalty to family and friends, a theme reiterated by almost all who spoke.

In their video message, Harrison offered his congratulations to Murphy, saying, “For you, it has always been about the students,” while Zubrow spoke of Murphy’s “great vision,” “boundless energy” and “extraordinary leadership.”

Said Murphy: “I have been blessed with fabulous mentors.” She cited three provosts – Keith Kennedy, Mal Nesheim and Bob Barker – as examples. “I have had extraordinary colleagues, especially my current staff. I have had terrific and talented staff in admissions and financial aid. … I am blessed with devoted alumni and friends of the university, and I am overwhelmed by this list of donors,” she said.

“But the key – and the reason this is a calling – is because of the students,” said Murphy. “They challenge me; they frustrate me at times; they even exasperate me. But they inspire me, they reward me, and they give me great confidence about the future. We are so fortunate to be able to witness their growth, from the time we watch them explore this university until the time they graduate.”

She concluded, “To my alma mater, I say thank you, I am truly blessed.”