Opinions

Three St. Joe's students reflect on Murrary's impact

My mind swirled at the thought of encompassing the impact that Catherine Murray, Ph.D., had on me, the psychology department, and Saint Joseph’s University as a whole in just a few paragraphs. Murray encountered numerous students at Saint Joseph’s through her tenure as a faculty member in the psychology department and as the chair of the graduate gerontology program. Whether it was through the classes she taught, the thesis proposals and defenses she influenced, or the smiles and waves she gave to students, her presence was felt. While I know the entire university was impacted by her service and dedication as an educator, I can speak best about my own experience with Murray.

 I vividly recall the immense joy I felt upon opening my acceptance letter to Saint Joseph’s and learning that Catherine Murray would be my mentor for the master’s program in experimental psychology. I never understood why she chose to work with me, but there has not been a day that I have not been grateful for the opportunity she gave me.

Throughout my time as a graduate student, we spent countless hours together discussing my thesis research, the undergraduate classes in which I served as her teaching assistant, and most importantly, life plans and goals. I cherished those moments, and grew anxious when they did not occur as often as usual. I sometimes feared the autonomy she gave me, but she assured me that I could handle it. She challenged me when I was not ready, and she believed in me even when I was uncertain of myself. She displayed admirable realism, yet provided unwavering support. She was bright, caring, and compassionate, and I valued her tremendously.

Not only did I value her as a person, but I admired Murray’s commitment to her work. I knew Murray was an accomplished developmental psychologist, but it was not until I took a course with her that I learned of her true passion for gerontology. Her proseminar in gerontology course opened my eyes to facts, concepts, and realities that I have never considered. It forced me to put my life in perspective, as well as the lives of the people that I care about and love. It created a dichotomy between what I considered necessary for living and what it truly means to have a life worth living. 

Murray embodied her teachings. She encouraged us to think about the fulfillment of life as we age. In our final paper, she challenged us to describe the projected course of the remainder of our lives.  As uncomfortable as it was, the assignment required my cohort and I to divulge biological, psychological, and other factors that could negatively impact our lifespan and contemplate what, if anything, would continue to make our lives fulfilling. This thought-provoking course not only prepared me to be a better scholar, but an enriched person. 

Murray also provided insight in more subtle ways. One such example was in her email signature, which read,  “The time will come—and it will be such a wonderful moment—when everything becomes clear.” Although I have read this Ivan Pavlov quote numerous times, I never really understood it. When Pavlov made this statement, he was hopeful that increasing the number of researchers in his lab would allow for all his inquiries to be solved.  Instead, adding more researchers convoluted the research process, and more questions arose. Similarly, Murray dedicated her life to teaching and research. However, I believe that Murray did have her moment of clarity, because she embedded her knowledge in the minds of everyone she touched, so that we can take the information and thought provoking ideas and continue her work. 

- Brittany Boyd, M.S., '15

Catherine Murray, Ph.D., professor of psychology and director of graduate gerontology, was more than a long time psychology professor at Saint Joseph’s University; she was an institution. Talk with any psychology student or alumni and it won’t be long before they are fondly swapping Murray stories and smiling. Perhaps you will hear them giggle about how Murray was constantly losing her earrings, purse, or car keys in obscure places around campus, and how looking for Murray’s stuff was almost a rite of passage among psych students. Or perhaps about how there were papers, books, academic journals, and student assignments covering nearly every inch of floor space in her office. It was nearly impossible to not step on something, and when seated at her desk, it was difficult to see her through all the stuff.

But behind the smiles about Murray’s many eccentricities, there was a deep and profound respect not only for what she had accomplished, but also for who she was. Murray was a serious academic and a scientist in a time when women were thought to have no business being either. 

For many years, Murray taught Research Methods, which served as a foundation course and an introduction to critical thinking. Being a researcher is not only about knowing the scientific method for finding the truth, but also about having the courage to recognize the truth when it is unpopular, and even when it forces one to challenge previously held beliefs. Murray didn’t just teach these principles—she lived them.  She had an incisive mind and a voracious love of truth, and she possessed the courage to pursue those difficult truths.  I imagine that is what made her a capable researcher and I know that is what made her the feminist and formidable activist that she was.

It will be hard for many of us to picture Post Hall without Murray bustling at top speed up and down the halls, her arms full, informing the department secretary that she had lost one of her earrings. I picture her trudging up the hill from Post Hall to Barbelin because she didn’t have time for the stairs, while I huffed and puffed behind her trying to keep up. Murray lived a life of purpose. She was a passionate researcher who believed in the life of the mind and the lifelong pursuit of truth. She was a teacher who took pleasure in working with her students and who believed minds were meant to be challenged. She was a fierce activist for human rights who worked for equality, and the belief that one’s life choices should not be determined or limited by one’s sex or gender. Murray’s contributions have made a difference not only to Saint Joseph’s, but also to the countless students and alumni whose lives she touched, and by whom she will not be forgotten. Hers was a life well lived, and at the end of the day, perhaps that is the greatest compliment. 

- Ashley Bates Saha, '05

When I first met Catherine Murray, Ph.D., professor of psychology and director of graduate gerontology, as an undergraduate student in psychology, she was my Research Methods professor. I found her to be a little intimidating at first. Though she had kindly asked the students to provide their names and some personal information on the first day, her overall demeanor was strict and formal. Her criticisms of our projects were meticulous, and her grading was less forgiving than that of my other teachers. Although these aspects did not initially endear her to me and some of my classmates, I came to appreciate her critiques, as they helped me to improve my writing and study habits. As a result of her approach, I definitely knew where I stood with the course material and felt more prepared for my later courses.

A few years later, Murray served as my thesis mentor in graduate school. She was much friendlier and more jovial as my mentor, and our sessions together were more relaxed than our classes.  In my second year in the graduate program, however, she became a close friend.  My progress with my thesis was very slow, as I found it difficult to find appropriate articles for research. On top of that, I was undergoing a bit of a personal crisis. My time at Saint Joseph’s University was drawing to a close, the real world was rapidly approaching, and I had become uncertain about whether psychology was the right field for me. Upon meeting Murray for a session after several months with little progress, I expected her to be angry; however, to my surprise, she was gentle and sympathetic. She not only encouraged me to persevere, but she reminded me that life is a gift and too short to waste on nervousness and insecurity. Thanks to her guidance, warmth, and patience, I ultimately finished my thesis and gained far more confidence in myself.

Although she was in her late seventies upon her passing, Murray was enthusiastic, energetic, and a true motivator for myself and other students. There were several times when we chatted for half an hour after the conclusions of our sessions, and I shall miss those times dearly. I will always be grateful for what she has done for me. Her dedication to her field, along with her patience, compassion, and wit, made her a great psychologist and an extraordinary human being whose presence this university will surely miss.

- Brendan Maloney, M.S., '15

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