UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 36, Page 1
July 6, 1995
Dean Frank Murray to write, teach, research

     I look upon this change as stepping up to being a professor, not down
from being the dean," said Frank B. Murray, H. Rodney Sharp Professor of
Educational Studies and Psychology, who will return to the faculty in
September after serving as dean of the College of Education for 16 years.
     "I am looking forward to teaching, to research and to writing four
books that I have contracted to do. My years as dean have been fulfilling
and rewarding with many challenges and changes, but now I want to devote my
time and energies to other projects," he said.
     Murray came to the University 26 years ago and served three five-year
terms as dean, plus an extra year.
     "During my first term as dean," he recalled, "the college's future was
uncertain, enrollment was down, morale was poor so my task was to rebuild
and restore the college."
     Under Murray's tenure, new degree programs were added that attracted
different groups of scholars to the college, as well as the traditional
undergraduates in teacher education.
     Murray served as director of graduate studies in education before
becoming dean, and he introduced the first doctoral degree in the college.
     Other innovative degree programs developed during his tenure included
the bachelor of arts in educational studies for those who studied education
as a discipline; the doctor of education targeted for school
administrators; and the master of instruction for teachers who wished to
stay in the classroom and teach.
     Murray characterized his second term as the flip side of the first.
     "We were almost too successful with the expansion of the college. We
had to manage growth so we did not outstrip our resources," he said.
     During this time, the college gained a national reputation for
leadership in education. Murray chaired the Holmes Group, a consortium of
100 research universities working to reform teacher education. He co-
founded and directed Project 30, in which leaders from 30 schools worked to
reform and expand the arts and science components of teacher education.
Murray will continue working on these and other national initiatives.
     His third term as dean was an expansion of the second, and Murray's
responsibilities on and off campus increased. He served as a Delaware
representative to the Education Commission of the States and also has been
a supporter of Delaware's New Directions program, which he calls
"progressive and right-minded."
     Next year, Murray will be on leave but will teach a graduate seminar,
research and write his books, travel and spend time with his family.
     In recognition of his contributions and leadership at the helm of the
College of Education, an award for graduate research and an alumni
scholarship have been established in his name.
     Provost Mel Schiavelli said, "During his long and distinguished tenure
as dean, Frank Murray has built the College of Education into a school that
well serves its students, the University and the state of Delaware. In
addition, he has steered the college into a position of national prominence
in its field. I am sure that Bill Stanley, who brings experience and
expertise in education to the position, will continue this tradition of
excellence as interim dean."
     At a recent event honoring him, Murray summarized his feelings about
the future when he said, "E.B. White said that he arose each morning with
twin desires-to improve the world and to enjoy himself, and it made it a
little difficult to know how to start the day. I think I know a way."
                                                        -Sue Swyers Moncure