Grover E. Murray
Encyclopedia
Grover Elmer Murray was an American
geologist, educator, and writer.
. Shortly thereafter, his family moved to Newton
where Murray attended public school. Upon graduation, he enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
and earned a degree in geology. He went on to Louisiana State University
where he received an M.S. in 1939 and a Ph.D. in 1942.
in the oil industry. In 1948, he became a professor at Louisiana State. In 1963, Murray was promoted to Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs. Two years later, he became Vice President for Academic Affairs for the entire Louisiana State University System
.
for Lubbock, Texas
, where he had accepted the job as president of Texas Technological College. During his time there, which ended in 1976, the school expanded considerably. The law school
and medical school
were built and the International Center for Arid and Semi-Arid Land Studies was created. As a result, also during Murray's time, the name of the school was changed from Texas Technological College to Texas Tech University
.
, which is the highest award given by the Society for Sedimentary Geology
. Also in 1996, Murray and his wife, Sally, created the Grover E. Murray Education Award. Funded by Murray, the Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award is also named in his honor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
geologist, educator, and writer.
Early life
Grover Murray was born in Maiden, North CarolinaMaiden, North Carolina
Maiden is a town in Catawba and Lincoln counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Maiden is also known as "The Biggest Little Football Town in the World"...
. Shortly thereafter, his family moved to Newton
Newton, North Carolina
Newton is a city located in Catawba County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12,560. It is the county seat of Catawba County.Newton is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area....
where Murray attended public school. Upon graduation, he enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
and earned a degree in geology. He went on to Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
where he received an M.S. in 1939 and a Ph.D. in 1942.
Louisiana State
Murray began his career as a geologistGeologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
in the oil industry. In 1948, he became a professor at Louisiana State. In 1963, Murray was promoted to Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs. Two years later, he became Vice President for Academic Affairs for the entire Louisiana State University System
Louisiana State University System
The Louisiana State University System is budgetarily the largest public university system in Louisiana. John V. Lombardi is the system's president...
.
Texas Tech
On September 1, 1966, Murray departed LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
for Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
, where he had accepted the job as president of Texas Technological College. During his time there, which ended in 1976, the school expanded considerably. The law school
Texas Tech University School of Law
The Texas Tech University School of Law is an ABA-accredited law school located on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Known nationally for their continual success in trial advocacy competitions, the school focuses on forming practical lawyers who are ready to practice law upon...
and medical school
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers programs in Allied Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. TTUHSC's main campus is in Lubbock, but campuses are also located in Abilene, Amarillo, Dallas, El Paso and the Permian Basin...
were built and the International Center for Arid and Semi-Arid Land Studies was created. As a result, also during Murray's time, the name of the school was changed from Texas Technological College to Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
.
Later life
After retiring as the president of Texas Tech, Murray continued to teach a geology course. Further, he returned to geologic consulting. In 1996, he was awarded the William H. Twenhofel MedalWilliam H. Twenhofel Medal
The William H. Twenhofel Medal is the highest award given by the Society for Sedimentary Geology . It is awarded annually to a person for his or her "Outstanding Contributions to Sedimentary Geology."...
, which is the highest award given by the Society for Sedimentary Geology
Society for Sedimentary Geology
The Society for Sedimentary Geology is an international not-for-profit, scientific society based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is commonly referred to by its acronym SEPM, which refers to its former name, the Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists.The Society’s reason for being is to...
. Also in 1996, Murray and his wife, Sally, created the Grover E. Murray Education Award. Funded by Murray, the Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award is also named in his honor.