"Jerry has an extraordinary energy to make things better. His energy has infected people in and beyond the school," Rudenstine said. "It's a wonderful goal Jerry has accomplished," he said. "For me, it's been a marvelous pleasure just to work with Jerry." Since his appointment in 1992, Murphy has spearheaded a capital campaign to raise $60 million for the GSE.

That mark was reached in November 1998. A large portion of the funds has gone towards endowing 12 professorships, and the Jerome T. Murphy chair will be the 13th.

"I'm just overwhelmed by this act of generosity to the school and to me," Murphy said. "I have no idea who contributed or how the deed was done. I'm grateful to Liz and John [Hobbs, campaign co-chairs] for sharing the secret so I avoided crying in public."

Murphy also called the new chair a vote of confidence for the GSE.

"The glue that binds us together is the common belief in good work. We're committed to the free expression of diverse perspectives," he said. "I see this new endowed chair as an endorsement of the Ed School--who we are, what we do and what we stand for."

Many of those in the audience were Murphy's family and friends, some of whom had come from out of state to take part in the dedication ceremony.

"I think it's a wonderful tribute to Jerry," said Vito Perrone, director of teacher education at the GSE.

The announcement ceremony was followed by a speech by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, author of the best-selling memoir Angela's Ashes.