Fate sometimes acts in mysterious ways, especially for Andrew
('62CBA) and Ellen Murphy '62G, '72GEd. Both alumni of St.
John’s University, Andrew received his undergraduate degree on the
same day that Ellen received her first graduate degree, a reality
that would only become apparent nearly 20 years later after the
couple had met and were planning to marry. “Although we both
went to St. John’s and got our degrees on the very same day, we
were definitely not your typical college couple,” said Ellen.
Andrew and Ellen have fond memories of their days at St. John’s,
and the bond to alma mater has grown even stronger since the couple
has retired, he from accounting and she from teaching. Their
membership in The McCallen Society and The Loughlin Society allows
them to take part in many events and share good times with other
alumni and friends of the University.
“I have always been very happy with the education I received at
St. John’s,” noted Andrew fondly. “It gave me the education I
needed to get the job I wanted.” Besides being an alumnus, he
strengthened his ties to St. John’s even further by spending a few
years in the classroom as a member of the University’s adjunct
faculty.
Andrew and Ellen have no children, so when they decided to make
plans for their estate they both agreed that they wanted to
remember the University that means so much to them. “I was a
teacher and always felt that although I didn’t have children of my
own the children in my classroom were really like mine,” remarked
Ellen. “I always felt that I would do everything that I could
to leave them with an impression that would stay with them
forever. I feel the same way about the students at St.
John’s.”
Andrew agreed that sharing their estate with the University was
a meaningful way to do something for the young men and women who
were just like he and Ellen were during their own student
days. It creates a legacy of which they can both be
proud.
“When you do something for young people you have a chance to
make a lasting difference in our world,” he said
thoughtfully. “A gift to St. John’s really gives us 20,000
children, and makes an impact that will last for generations.”