Legacy gift enriches excellence in graduate studies

Robert Murray, PhD, and his late wife Marion, are, and will forever be, part of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Their research, administrative and personal contributions have helped to create an outstanding culture of excellence within the Department and across Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.

Now, thanks to a generous $1.6 million legacy gift from Mrs. Murray, graduate students from Microbiology and Immunology, as well as the Department of Pathology will further benefit from the Murrays’ longstanding commitment to education and research. In total more than $60,000 will be provided for annually. Mrs. Murray was a staff member of the Department for 23 years and touched the lives of a large number of students and faculty across the University.  

At a special event on April 28, it was announced that a gift from Mrs. Murray’s estate would be used to create new graduate studies scholarships. A special plaque commemorating the donation was unveiled during the event, naming a new lounge for graduate students and honouring Dr. Murray.

The impact of this donation will be far reaching and enrich the graduate studies programs. “All of our current and future generation of graduate students in the Department will be impacted through the endowed donation,” said Bhagi Singh, chair, Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti, chair/chief, Department of Pathology, agreed. “The donation,” he said, “will undoubtedly help our graduate program to attract and retain outstanding graduate students.”