Seton Hall University - Galleon Yearbook (South Orange, NJ)

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relationship to the University. Speaking about the role educa- tion plays in society today, Fr. Murphy said, “All education is made up of three components: Education must deal with the development of the mind, it must help establish and maintain a real community and it must serve the entire human community, which is a common good.” “Education must never be selfish or self-centered. Education must be a place where people learn how to help each other,” said Fr. Murphy. Expanding on the three compo- nents of education, the president said that the University is commit- ted to the freedom of inquiry, to search for the truth. Fr. Murphy believes that private Catholic universities have a unique advantage over public institutions of higher education. The private sector is diversified in its teachings. It can raise moral and religious questions that can be discussed openly. Public schools cannot always do this. Catholic in- stitutions can advocate a model in time commitment,” Fr. Murphy ex- plained. He stressed the importance of community life, especially in the academic atmosphere. “Each person is unique, but each person finds himself as he belongs to a community. He is both a mem- ber of a group and an individual,” he said. “In order to best serve the com- mon good, both individualism and community concern must be pre- sent.” “You cannot go into a telephone booth and call God. You must be part of the kingdom of God,” he added. Reflecting on the events of the past year as university president, Fr. Murphy said, “This has been a difficult year, that was made en- joyable by the many new people I have met.” “Throughout the year, I was happy to have so many people stop by my office just to talk with me,” he concluded. Fr. Murphy takes a stroll around the campus, greeting friends and students along the way. Murphy Takes the Helm 15

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Reverend Laurence T. Murphy took the helm as the 16th president of Seton Hall University, in August 1979. A soft-spoken man, Fr. Murphy en- tered office with quiet dignity. A Mass and reception in September marked his inauguration. Although quiet in manner, he is a visi- ble administrator on campus. He attends student picnics and dances, cheers for the home team while seated in the bleachers during baseball games, and on clear days, he can be found walking around the campus. A native of Yonkers, New York, Fr. Murphy is a graduate of Seton Hall Prep and the U.S. Naval Academy. Serving in the U.S. Navy between 1941 and 1947, he left the service as a lieutenant comman- der and entered the Mary Knoll Seminary. He was ordained June 12, 1954, and celebrated his first Mass in the Seton Hall University chapel. Through the years he has taught (Above): Fr. Murphy throws the first ball at a home baseball ' game. (Below): Fr. Murphy listens to Rev. Hesburg during the Mother Seton Day convoca- tion. at several institutions, including the Mary Knoll College in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Earning a doctorate in philosophy from Notre Dame University, he stayed there, teaching philosophy and theology. In 1964, Fr. Murphy was assigned to the staff of the National Con- ference of Catholic Bishops where he served as director of the office of International Education and the National Catholic Education Association. He was named director of the division of higher education for the U.S. Catholic Conference in 1966, with which he served until return- ing to teach at Seton Hall in 1975. According to President Murphy, the life of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton symbolizes all the goals that Seton Hall University strives to achieve. Therefore, it was only fitting that he establish the First Annual Elizabeth Ann Seton Lecture on May 12, celebrating the day of her canonization as the first American- born saint. The event’s schedule included a mass in the Seton Hall University chapel, followed by a convocation in Walsh Gymnasium, where mem- bers of the Seton Hall community spoke about the life of Mother Seton and her historical

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I Top left): The Class of 1980 begins the solemn procession to the Main Courtyard. Jdii T e students stand t0 be recognized as graduates of the Class of ’80 (Below): Happy, tearful, proud, sad. Mixed emotions flow through the minds of the new graduates.