Bill Murphy, vice president for University Communications, is retiring in June 2015, President Joel Seligman announced today.
A national search is underway to identify his successor. Jack Gorman of Isaacson, Miller will assist with the search. The search committee is chaired by Douglas Phillips, senior vice president for Institutional Resources.
Murphy became the University’s first vice president for communications in 2006 after serving in public relations leadership roles at the University of Chicago, University of Illinois, and the Ohio State University. At Rochester, he leads the overall communications effort in the areas of strategy, media relations, internal communications, social media, photography and video, creative services, and crisis communications.
Murphy led the University-wide initiative to develop a new graphic identity, including the creation of a new logo and Spirit R in 2007. In 2008, he headed the process that resulted in Rocky becoming the new Yellowjacket mascot, replacing URBee.
During Murphy’s tenure, University Communications strengthened media relations, redesigned the University home page, and expanded its use of video and social media, all while working in close collaboration with the communications offices in the University’s professional schools. He has also focused on effectively informing and engaging key University audiences, creating a suite of e-newsletters and expanding Rochester Review from 224 pages per year to 384.
In 2009, Murphy and colleagues from Duke and Stanford co-founded Futurity.org to report on the latest discoveries and research in the areas of science, engineering, health, society and culture. Created and edited at Rochester, Futurity currently includes 63 research universities in the U.S., UK, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
In addition to its chair, the search committee includes:
- Andrew Ainslie, Dean, Simon Business School
- Jonathan Binstock, Mary W. and Donald R. Clark Director, Memorial Art Gallery
- Laura Brophy, Assistant Dean and Executive Director of External Relations, Warner School of Education
- Paul Burgett, Vice President, Senior Advisor to the President, and University Dean
- Robert Clark, Senior Vice President for Research and Dean of the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- Teri D’Agostino, Chief of Staff to the University of Rochester Medical Center CEO and Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Stephen Dewhurst, Vice Dean for Research, Professor and Chair, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
- Thomas J. Farrell, Senior Vice President and Thompson Chief Advancement Officer
- Adam Frank, Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Carmala Garzione, Professor and Chair, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Michele Gibson, Senior Associate Dean for Administration and Finance, Eastman School of Music
- Peter Lennie , Provost and Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences and Engineering
- Ronald J. Paprocki, Senior Vice President, Administration and Finance, Chief Financial Officer
- Kathy Rideout, Dean, School of Nursing
- Peter Robinson, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, University of Rochester Medical Center, Vice President, Government and Community Relations
The search committee for the new vice president for communications also will be advised by a Trustees and Friends Advisory Group chaired by Trustee Naomi M. (Nomi) Bergman.
Further information soon will be available about the process for nominating candidates.
