Board Member: 2025 to present
Civic and Volunteer Activities:
Abilene Chamber of Commerce Board
Abilene Convention Center Hotel Development Corporation Board
Dr. Lynne Murray is the 11th President of McMurry University, a role she has held since January 2025.
With a deep commitment to higher education and a vision for fostering academic excellence,
Dr. Murray has played a pivotal role in enhancing the university’s reputation and positioning the
University for growth.
Before her presidency at McMurry University, Dr. Murray held various leadership positions in
higher education, including as President of Baker University from 2014 to 2024. During her former
presidency, Murray launched the university’s most extensive campaign in its history, raising more than
$50 million during her tenure to support scholarships, faculty and staff excellence, and capital
projects, including the complete transformation of the athletics facilities. Additionally, she was
responsible for growing the endowment by $20 million.
Before that, she held the position of vice president for development, international, and alum
relations at Gallaudet University, a pioneering institution serving deaf and hard‑of‑hearing
students. She also served as the Senior Director of Principal and Leadership Gifts at Georgetown
University.
Dr. Murray holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, a master’s degree
degree in marketing from Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctorate in Special Education
Administration from Gallaudet University.
She is married to Jeff Murray, who served our country in the U.S. Air Force.