Murley family gives gift to fund Whitman College tower

An alumni couple has made a significant gift to the Whitman College complex to commemorate their 25th wedding anniversary and the start of coeducation at Princeton 35 years ago. The gift, from Charter Trustee Robert S. Murley, a member of the class of 1972, and Mary Pivirotto Murley, a member of the class of 1976, of Lake Forest, Ill., will fund construction of the imposing gothic tower that is among the new college's most prominent architectural features.

Whitman College has been designed in the collegiate gothic style by noted architect Demetri Porphyrios, a 1980 graduate of the University's School of Architecture. Currently under construction between Baker Rink and Dillon Gymnasium, the college is expected to be completed in 2007.

"We are very grateful to Bob and Mimi Murley for this wonderful gift, which is meant, in large part, to honor coeducation and the contributions that alumnae have made to Princeton," President Shirley M. Tilghman said of the $2 million gift.

Bob Murley, who graduated from Princeton with a degree in politics, is a member of the last class admitted to the University without women members, while Mimi Murley, an English major, was in one of the first coed classes. Although the two did not meet until after they had both graduated, Princeton played -- and has continued to play -- a central role in their lives together.

Read the full story in the Weekly Bulletin .

Contact: Lauren Robinson-Brown (609) 258-3601