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Joseph P. McMurran Society welcomes members old and new to annual dinner reception

By Staff | May 24, 2012

The Joseph P. McMurran Society dinner reception, hosted by Shepherd University’s President Suzanne Shipley and sponsored by the Shepherd University Foundation, was held in the atrium of Erma Ora Byrd Hall on Saturday, April 28. The annual event saw a record attendance as 87 members and guests, along with Shepherd faculty, deans and administrators enjoyed a four-course dinner prepared by chef Scott Anderson and Shepherd University Catering.

Recognized as the first president of Shepherd, Joseph McMurran set standards of academic excellence that required him to make personal financial sacrifices in order to keep the college open. Through his dedication to Shepherd, McMurran began a tradition of philanthropy which is carried on today by the society’s members. The Joseph P. McMurran Society was established at Shepherd to honor those who have chosen to provide for the future of the University with a bequest or other planned gift.

New members of the Joseph P. McMurran Society were recognized by Shepherd University Foundation president Ramon A. Alvarez with a framed medallion and nameplate. Alvarez praised the society’s humanitarian spirit, “Shepherd University will continue to grow and prosper for generations to come due to the generosity of our McMurran Society members and their desire to leave a legacy with this institution. We are proud to honor such a great group of philanthropists.”

New member Mary Ann Rogers recently endowed the Edward and Mary Ann Rogers Education Scholarship for her and her late husband through a bequest in her will. Rogers praised the evening, saying she had a fantastic time reuniting with old classmates and establishing connections with new acquaintances.

“It was a remarkable evening,” she said. “I am very impressed, not only with Shepherd University and the progress it has made in the 52 years since I was a student, but also with the way it is preparing future teachers for the classroom. I feel the curriculum is wonderful, exciting, and just the kind of work that needs to be done in order to provide quality teachers for our children, and I’m very happy to support the University with our planned gift through the Foundation.”

Those interested in learning more about establishing a planned gift through the Shepherd University Foundation, contact Monica Lingenfelter, Shepherd University Foundation, P.O. Box 5000, Shepherdstown, WV, 25443-5000, 304-876-5397, mlingenf@shepherd.edu or visit www.shepherd.edu/fndtnweb.