Two University of Mary Washington alumni have established a gift of an endowment to the university to fund an award in honor of Acting President Richard V. Hurley and his wife.
The Richard V. and Rosemary A. Hurley Presidential Commendation will be presented annually to a UMW employee who has performed exceptionally meritorious service to the university while demonstrating strength of character and steadfast dedication to the university’s mission.
The gift was a Centennial Campaign donation by Elmer R. Morris Jr. and Marceline Weatherly Morris of King George. The Centennial Campaign is a comprehensive effort to secure $75 million for various needs at the university, including endowments, capital projects and enhancements and the Fund for Mary Washington. The minimum gift for an endowment is $20,000. As of May 30, the campaign has raised $64 million.
The relationship between the Morrises and the university dates to 1919, when Elmer’s mother, the late Emma Thomas Morris, received her teacher’s certification at what was then the State Normal School for Women at Fredericksburg. The couple enrolled at Mary Washington College in 1946, he, as part of the GI Bill for veterans returning from World War II. Both are alumni of the Class of 1950.
Their daughter, Ellen, attended Mary Washington for two semesters in the early 1990s, and their grandson, Paul Morris, currently is a member of the Class of 2010.
Mr. and Mrs. Morris announced the gift at a Centennial Campaign fundraising event in Newport News in May.
“In a time of the history of our beloved Mary Washington, when we needed a leader to guide and direct us through dark times, Rick Hurley was asked to take this daunting task, and he accepted the challenge with the encouragement and support of his wife,” said Marceline Morris.
“Not only was he able to succeed in this task, but there was never a moment of falling back, not even marking time, only marching forward with giant steps as many far-reaching goals have been met, and he leaves this ‘second job’ with many visions for the future having been set in motion.”
Hurley has amassed more than 32 years experience in higher education, including eight at Mary Washington. During the past year he has balanced multiple roles as acting president and vice president for administration, finance, and legislative affairs.
Under his tenure as acting president, Hurley guided the university in celebrating its Centennial anniversary, led the university during a critical transition period between presidents, worked to increase diversity among students and faculty and adopted bias-related incident policy to address discrimination. He also worked to improve relations between the university and the community and oversaw the UMW Real Estate Foundation’s acquisition of key properties, including the Park and Shop Shopping Center. At the 2008 commencement ceremony, Hurley was presented the prestigious Washington Medallion, which recognizes extraordinary service to the university that has made a lasting and indelible impact. In addition, he was awarded honorary UMW alumni status by the Alumni Association.
Rosemary Hurley, who is director of user services in the Department of Information Resources, has been employed with the university since 2006. Before coming to UMW, she has worked as a technical support manager at Mary Washington Hospital and manager of user support service at Longwood University.
“We are humbled and honored that Mr. and Mrs. Morris think so highly of us and the job we’ve done that they would go to the extent to create an award in our name,” said Hurley, who will continue his vice presidential duties after the institution’s new president, Judy G. Hample, begins her tenure on July 1.