June 07, 2016

L&C Unanimously: Murray Cizon BA ’98

L&C Unanimously is a series of stories featuring Lewis & Clark faculty and staff donors. Murray Cizon earned his Religious Studies BA from Lewis & Clark in 1998. During his time on campus, Murray was active with KLC Radio and studied abroad in Scotland. Murray “strongly supports the Graduate School’s vision and mission” and is “honored to support the Grad School’s Annual Fund in whatever capacity” he can.

L&C Unanimously is a series of stories featuring Lewis & Clark faculty and staff donors. Murray Cizon earned his Religious Studies BA from Lewis & Clark in 1998. During his time on campus, Murray was active with KLC Radio and studied abroad in Scotland. 

What is your role at Lewis & Clark?

I’m the Executive Assistant to the Graduate School of Education and Counseling’s Dean’s Office, which encompasses a myriad of responsibilities from stereotypical administrative duties to serving as the Manor House Lead for the Graduate School’s Commencement Ceremony and lots of “other duties as assigned” in between. I also serve as co-director of Alumni Relations for the Graduate School.

Why do you support Lewis & Clark?

As an alumnus of the College of Arts and Sciences I feel it’s important to give back to the institution that had such a profound impact not only on my education but my early adulthood. I also strongly support the Graduate School’s vision and mission. The education of mental health professionals, teachers, and educational administrators benefits the entire community, and I’m honored to support the Grad School’s Annual Fund in whatever capacity I can.

What is your favorite part about working at Lewis & Clark?

My coworkers, hands down. The community of professionals at the Graduate School, staff and faculty alike, are second-to-none in my estimation. Everyone here is mission-oriented – you have to be, given the importance of the work our students go on to do – but the collegiality, good humor, professionalism, and kindness embodied by this community never fails to blow me away. It’s truly a pleasure to come to the Graduate Campus each day. Plus, in the summer there are deer and bunnies on the Corbett House lawn.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I’m a single parent, which means my spare time is mainly spent with my daughter. She’s a Harry Potter fanatic and it was a sad day when we finished reading the final book in the series together. We’re trying to find another book or books to explore and have tossed more than a few into the reject pile thus far. In addition to reading we love going to the Oregon Zoo and OMSI, taking bike or scooter rides to parks in our neighborhood, and visiting our ever-changing group of fuzzy friends at Purringtons Cat Lounge (cats are the only thing my daughter likes more than Harry Potter). Personally, I’m an unrepentant record collector and take any opportunity to dig through the crates at my favorite music stores.

Read more L&C Unanimously donor profiles here.

See the full list of Faculty & Staff Honor Roll of Donors.

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