this Lssue• I SetIon Hal Clhb.. ,," III 5" q"......... .w _.. ,~ " ,. ""'" , '"~ ,," ... h . • T1M1W rl .... $rvlut The IWI rlofle .. , . " ",akl. rn.t ......." ' ..... &.,.... FROM PRESIDENTS HALL | MONSIGNOR ROBERT SHEERAN ’67 SETONHALLMAGAZINE | F A L L 2 0 0 5 and make our community thrive. The year ahead offers challenges. We intend to promises and become real players in the new BIG EAST Confer- ence. We are putting the final touches on a core curriculum that will become Seton Hall’s national- possibilities... ly recognized signature experience. Our capital campaign will leap Ever Forward toward a suc- cessful conclusion. founders apart, McCollough’s simple response: How unique is the combination of American Optimistic? You better believe it. I certainly do. “Courage and character.” I love reading history. From history we gain genius, born in revolution, and Christian faith, The story of the year 1776 is not so much about the wisdom to confront difficult challenges; we born of optimism — which opens endless the summer of the Declaration of Independence, learn that bold actions yield great fruits: the but about how General George Washington led a dreams and possibilities! same character and courage that Washington saw rag-tag army in nearly impossible campaigns into in his soldiers, the same abiding pioneer faith of the bleakest winter imaginable. In the end they Mother Seton. I’ve often said there is no better place to be in the fall than on an Ameri- prevailed, thank God. can college campus. A new academic year is rife with possibility and At the same time, Elizabeth Ann Bayley was promise — especially here at Seton Hall, where we are committed to the just two years old, living in New York where many From history we gain the wisdom to best in higher education under the umbrella of faith. crucial battles were fought — and lost. I think of confront difficult challenges; we learn Can there be any busier, more hopeful campus than our own? The Mother Seton and her revolutionary world of University’s motto, Hazard Zet Forward, bespeaks this spirit. Our invention and discovery, mirrored by the revolu- that bold actions yield great fruits. founder, Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley, optimistically planted the seed tion in science and technology in our own day. of a magnificent idea that blossomed into a great Catholic university for Our revolution, our dreams, I believe, are but the tens of thousands of students who have achieved their futures here. pieces of a greater dream, of a plan in the infinite More importantly, I love making history: if not In this spirit, in 2003 the Board of Regents adopted a bold, compre- mind of our Creator. He calls us to serve Him and world-shaking, certainly life-shaping and institu- hensive Sesquicentennial Strategic Plan to lift Seton Hall into the next our fellow citizens, fellow dreamers. tion-transforming. Today, we write the next page, tier among national institutions. When I became president of the University, a indeed the next chapter, in the history of Seton As a cornerstone of that plan, we are well into the ambitious $150 decade ago, I was graced with this spirit of hope, Hall. We call it “2006.” million campaign for capital and endowment funds that will advance rooted in faith. December marks my 10th anniver- Forward, despite all hazards. Forward, with P our mission for future generations. The current total stands at more sary as president and my 35th as a priest. These dreams and optimism. than $88 million, with two years to go, and the transformation of two roles have long since become mutually sustain- McNulty Hall into a gleaming $35 million Science and Technology ing, the source of great joy and strength for me. Center has begun. Now, when I look at our first-year students, Which reminds me of another campaign . most of them born in 1987 (four decades after my I have just finished reading 1776 by David McCollough, who spoke on own birthday), I see their enthusiasm and hope. campus last year. I recommend the book to anyone who seeks to know I think, too, of all our alumni, friends and donors what really makes our country tick. When asked what set our nation’s and the great work they do to keep the spirit alive 2 Photo by Ian Bradshaw 3 SPIRIT OF GIVING | DONNASHOEMAKER SETONHALLMAGAZINE | F A L L 2 0 0 5 ber, the board asked him to return as CEO. “We hadn’t planned on taking life easy,” kids Murray a clear choice about his brief retirement. That’s evident from his FORTHEMURRAYS active service with nonprofits and universities; on two corporate boards; and on boards for Maguire Energy Institute, the Valve Manufacturers Associa- tion, the Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Associa- Deep in the heart of Dallas and wherever there’s oil, look for Patrick M. Murray for an Exxon refinery. He and Mary Ann married in tion and the Dallas World Affairs Council. He has ’64/M.B.A. ’72. “The oil fields really get in your blood,” he says. As CEO and 1968. Their daughter, Suzanne, recently completed chairman of the board of Dresser, Inc., Murray spends 40 percent of his time an M.B.A. and lives in Dallas with her husband, in the lands where oil flows. The privately held oilfield equipment company, Ben, a radiologist. “It’s a design for the future. Energy headquartered in Addison, Texas, has 8,500 employees and a sales presence Seton Hall “has really moved forward,” Murray in 100 countries. observes. “It’s no longer a small commuter college. conservation is clearly an issue we Murray’s explorations in Asia have shown him a world “very different cul- It’s a major university that attracts international wrestle with a lot...” turally and economically than what my experience had been,” he says. Rapid students, which is important today. I have been modernization in China and India now fuels those high prices for crude. “I very fortunate my entire life, and Seton Hall really personally didn’t think it would get much above $60 a barrel,” Murray noted helped in preparing me to look for interesting also taken an active role in his alma mater — in mid-August, “and it’s not going to fall dramatically in the near term.” opportunities.” serving as vice chair of Ever Forward: The Seton That’s one reason why Murray supports “green” initiatives. It’s also why Murray’s career pipeline began in finance. He Hall University Sesquicentennial Capital Cam- he and his wife, Mary Ann, made a generous gift to name the Patrick M. and joined NL Industries in Hightstown, New Jersey, paign, member of the Board of Regents and lead- Mary Ann P. Murray Atrium in Seton Hall’s Science and Technology Center. in 1973 as a systems application consultant. His ing the Dallas Alumni Chapter. The new building will be one of the nation’s most innovative and energy- increasingly senior management positions led to a Somewhat sheepishly, Murray admits that he efficient teaching and research facilities for science and technology. In June, transfer to Houston in 1980. As president of Sper- and his family have become Texans. But his Pirate the University broke ground on this $35 million renovation and expansion of ry-Sun Drilling Services (1988-96), he learned the pride flows freely as he views the men’s basket- McNulty Hall. executive skills needed for senior management. At ball team, in person or on ESPN. Around Dallas, “Mary Ann and I both thought the design and approach were terrific,” the end of the next four years, while president of there are 125 alumni who could join him for a P Murray exclaims. “It will preserve the façade [of McNulty Hall]. It’s a Halliburton Company’s Dresser Equipment Group, game watch. design for the future. Energy conservation is an issue we [at Dresser, Inc.] Inc., and holding other top positions in Dresser wrestle with a lot, including how to make the products we manufacture Industries, he reached a turning point. In April more energy-efficient,” he notes. “Buildings like this clearly are where we 2001, Murray guided the management team for the should be going.” leveraged buyout that formed Dresser, Inc. “It was Murray’s globetrotting began in his boyhood. His parents, of Irish back- a chance to participate in creating a business,” he ground, moved from Surrey, England, to Elizabeth, New Jersey, when he was notes. He led the new company as president until 6 years old. At Seton Hall, he majored in accounting and appreciated study- November 2002. ing philosophy. An ROTC student, he received his Army commission upon In May 2004, Murray retired as CEO and was graduation, and served two years in Korea and California. Returning to Eliz- named chairman of its board. When the company’s abeth, he took evening classes at Seton Hall to earn an M.B.A. while working succession plan shifted unexpectedly last Decem- 36 37 Photo by Kevin Brown SESQUICENTENNIAL | 1 5 0 Y E A R S SETONHALLMAGAZINE | F A L L 2 0 0 5 seton hall firsts CELEBRATING a ledger to monitor all spending. While 1880s, many other student organiza- STUDENT BEGINNINGS parents could withdraw students at tions came into existence, including the The first five students enrolled at will, they could not interfere with the Sodality of the Sacred Heart, the Bayley Seton Hall College in 1856 were: discipline of the College. Debating Society, several library and • Louis Boisaubin Three literary societies attracted reading room associations, the Setonian • Alfred Boisaubin (The Boisaubins of Madison were the first brothers members: the Setonian Literary Orchestra, and the Dramatic Company.