In Memoriam: Pat Murphy, Longtime Staff Member at Institute for Business Innovation

Pat Murphy

Pat Murphy, a longtime Berkeley staff member who was instrumental in the development of several centers on campus, passed away May 21 after a private battle with cancer.

During her approximately four decades working at Berkeley, Murphy worked with Haas Professor David Teece to create many programs, including one of the first entrepreneurship programs on campus; the Law and Technology Program; and the Management of Technology Program, a joint program between Haas and the College of Engineering. She managed the Center for Research and Management Science as well as its successors: the Center for Research and Management, the Institute for Management Innovation and Organizations (IMIO), and the Institute for Business Innovation (IBI).

In addition, Murphy organized many conferences and seminars, hosted visitors, and managed PhD student scholarships. She also was instrumental in the founding of the St. Petersburg University’s School of Management, the first business school at a major Russian university, six years after helping to create a student exchange program between UC Berkeley and the university in 1987.

Murphy initially joined the Berkeley staff in a word processing role but was also enrolled in MBA courses, according to Teece. Recognizing that she had an “intellectual capability far beyond” that position, Teece hired her for an administrative position in the Center for Research and Management Science. She then moved up to a senior position after her predecessor retired.

“We took what was a moribund organized research unit with a budget of less than $300,000 a year to $5 million to $7 million by successfully raising grant monies and creating an endowment,” said Teece. “Pat’s role was considerable.”

“The institute under her control essentially was the incubator for many of the programs that the university is most proud of today,” Teece added. “Pat showed intense loyalty to the broader purposes and goals of the Haas School.”

One thing Teece says he appreciated most about Murphy: “She could get stuff done.” “Once she understood what our vision was, you didn’t have to tell her what to do,” he explained. “She showed incredibly strong initiative across the board.”

Teece is currently raising an endowment fund for visiting scholar and a staff award in Murphy’s honor.  He has already received significant contributions from faculty and alumni.

Murphy is survived by her daughter, Jennifer, who held a family-only funeral service for her. The Haas community is invited to attend a celebration of life in honor of Murphy at 3 p.m. June 9 in the Wells Fargo Room.

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