Step into the Debbie Murray Garden
On the evening of Sept. 25, friends and colleagues came together for the Debbie Murray Garden Party. Lee University honored Senior Ambassador Debbie Murray and dedicated the Debbie Murray Garden.
The garden may be a new addition to campus, but the idea behind it has been years in the making.
Chancellor Dr. Paul Conn says that after the Cornerstone Chapel was built, he had the idea of creating another unique space on campus.
“We were thinking of a place on campus that would be quiet and a little removed and a little more private,” says Conn.
Eventually, they decided that the green space behind the Cornerstone Chapel would suit a garden well. Conn says they found that spot to be perfect because it was unused and a place people often passed by.
“We wanted to enclose it to make it kind of a part of the chapel grounds in the same way the courtyard is part of the chapel grounds,” says Conn.
Conn also had the idea of honoring who he calls the “power couple” of Danny and Debbie Murray.
The university honored Danny in 2022, with the establishment of the Danny Murray Recording Studio.
For Debbie, specifically, they wanted to honor her 46 years of dedication to Lee. She joined the faculty in 1980, and is one of the senior most leaders at Lee. Murray has held many important positions, including the first dean of the Helen DeVos College of Education and the first Provost.
“If you know anything about Dr. Murray, it fits her. She's refined, gracious, and soft-spoken. In the same way you name a recording studio for Danny, you name a garden for Debbie,” says Conn.
As intended, the garden is a lovely, peaceful, and quiet spot on campus. It has colorful flowers, benches, lights, walkways, and a fountain.
“The occasional student can go in there and sit down on a park bench and read a book, eat lunch, have a conversation, pray, and think,” says Conn.
The Debbie Murray Garden Party started in the auditorium of the Dixon Center. It featured speakers, including Murray’s former and present colleagues, family, former students, and friends.
The program also featured performances from former student Jayliene Bonilla and the Voices of Lee.
“They had put a lot of thought into the program, and I thought they did a great job because I didn't plant any of this,” says Murray.
President Dr. Phil Cook gave the ceremony of dedication, and the guests went to explore the garden and enjoy a dessert reception.
Looking back on the celebration, the thing that Murray enjoyed most was being with people.
“Lots of people were there. That was my favorite thing … I saw so many people, some of whom I hadn't seen in years, and that was just really sweet … I just loved seeing the people and getting to visit with them,” says Murray.
Murray hopes that the garden will be a place where people can get together or spend time in peace and quiet.
“I just hope that people will enjoy it, not just people at Lee, but people in the community … I hope many people will visit the garden for reflection, prayer, relaxation, conversation, and enjoyment,” says Murray.
This Homecoming weekend, step into the Debbie Murray Garden to appreciate the beauty of its landscape and the legacy of its namesake.
Photos of the Debbie Murray Garden by Emme Lowder. Photos of the Debbie Murray Garden Party by Emma Sargent.
