July 6, 2001 UNT Inhouse publication: Former UNt regent and UNT supporter passes away

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Former UNT regent and supporter passes away

Lucille G. "Lupe" Murchison, 75, a Dallas philanthropist and former UNT regent, died July 3 at her home. A funeral was held July 5.

Murchison was first appointed to the UNT Board of Regents in 1981 by Texas Gov. Bill Clements, who reappointed her for another six-year term beginning in 1987. In 1993, Gov. Ann Richards appointed her to a third term, which expired in May 1999.

As a member of UNT's board for 18 years, Murchison supported the university in a number of ways. To honor her longtime support, in 1998 UNT named its Performing Arts Center, and awarded her an honorary doctor of public service and philanthropy degree.

Besides her service on the board, which included posts on various committees, Murchison was a leader in planning and supporting UNT fund-raising events in addition to personally contributing to student scholarships and donating pieces of art to the campus from her collection. She was also a lifetime member of the President's Council.

Most recently, she was serving as an honorary chair of the university's current $150 million capital campaign.

Murchison was a member of the executive committee for UNT's Centennial Celebration in 1989 and 1990, and she hosted and co-chaired the UNT Centennial Extravaganza at Fouts Field. She also was instrumental in making possible "A Night at the Meyerson," a 1993 concert by the UNT Symphony Orchestra and Grand Chorus at Dallas' Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

In addition, she was co-chair of the 1988 Emerald Rhapsody Ball, which raised funds for UNT. In 1996, she CO-chaired the Rhapsody in Silver Ball, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth. And in 1999 she was CO-chair of the gala opening events for UNT's Murchison Performing Arts Center.