Stephen P. Murray '84, P'09, '15 (pictured), has taken the reins of the Board of Trustees' University Advancement Committee this year, overseeing BC's fundraising activities and alumni relations programs. We sat down with Murray to discuss his role and the opportunities he sees ahead.

What are the goals of the advancement committee?
I see this committee as having three main priorities. First, our mission is to steward the ongoing relationship between the BC family and the University. This leads naturally into our second role as the central point of feedback from alumni, parents, and friends to University faculty and administration. Our third responsibility—and it's a big one—is to support the growth necessary to maintain BC’s position as a leading university.

What interested you about this leadership role?
I'm energized by the enthusiasm of the BC community and the University Advancement staff in particular. BC is an extraordinary institution with a unique niche in the marketplace. I value the University highly and know others do as well. I believe the need and the demand for an elite university with a Jesuit soul will only continue to rise.

What future challenges do you foresee?
It's no secret that this economic environment is difficult. But we must not let that stand in the way of reaching our goals—and we need not. The University has weathered economic storms quite well, and we will continue to move forward. The Light the World campaign will take BC to the next level of excellence: focusing on the longer term, further developing the core programs that are critical to academic excellence, and ensuring that our physical plant has the resources to attract outstanding students and faculty.