Passion is a word that both George and Tonny Murray lived by. Now, with an impactful legacy gift, part of their passion will remain in the College of Engineering for years to come.
George and Tonny Murray’s story together began on New Year’s Day 1957 with a chance meeting at a party. Their partnership lasted more than 60 years. After a successful career co-founding Materials Research Corporation, George and Tonny found a new home in San Luis Obispo when George began a career as professor of metallurgical engineering at Cal Poly in 1978.
While teaching, he served as the department chair from 1984 to 1986 and published the engineering textbook “Introduction to Engineering Materials” and over 30 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and trade magazines.
George and Tonny’s days in San Luis Obispo were the happiest ones of their lives. They were also the most rewarding days of George’s career. “I found my interaction with the students provided me with the most fun job I had experienced since I entered the job market in 1949,” George once said.
George and Tonny wanted to ensure that they gave back in a way that served students, first as a professor, then by establishing the George T. and Tonny Murray Scholarship Fund. The scholarship, which benefits students in the Materials Engineering Department, was established in 1993. The Murrays also left a generous planned gift in their estate plan, which Cal Poly humbly received in 2020 when George and Tonny passed away — George at 93 and Tonny at 95.
George and Tonny possessed generous hearts in life. They will be remembered for their commitment to helping others and for their belief in the value of education.
Legacy donations make an impact. You, too, can create a gift that forever symbolizes your passion for Cal Poly and our future students. To learn more, contact Cal Poly's Office of Gift Planning at 805-756-7125 or plannedgiving@calpoly.edu to get started.