Jeffrey G. Murren Scholarship Fund
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Jeffrey G. Murren Scholarship Fund
“A great teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, touches a heart.”
On July 22, 2016, Jeffrey G. Murren—a Fort Lee High School Teacher of the Year whose career spanned four decades— succumbed to pancreatic cancer after waging a courageous battle. The inner strength with which he faced the life-altering diagnosis, his selfless concern for the family and friends who loved him and the joy he found in living each day would be reason enough to honor his memory by raising money for a scholarship. But there are many others just as important.
His Fort Lee students and colleagues alike respected this dedicated teacher and coach who encouraged each one of his students to discover his or her own unique path to success, whether on the basketball or volleyball court, the track or the football field. Because Jeff loved teaching and respected all of his students, self-conscious, reluctant ones, and seasoned athletes alike cared about being better. Often they discovered their best selves.
Always an advocate for fitness and healthful choices, he taught life lessons by example and managed Project Adventure with a focus on working together for the common good. Within the nonjudgmental framework he created, students felt comfortable to make mistakes and learn from them. He wanted them to see the connection between climbing a rope and overcoming the odds. Jeff would be happy to know how many former students have enthusiastically confirmed that the lessons he taught them were for life.
His wry sense of humor, his wit, his friendly, easy way with everyone in and out of the gym were some of Jeff’s most endearing personal attributes. As comfortable with a microphone in hand delivering a straight-faced punch line at faculty parties as he was with a whistle pushing students to climb higher, run faster, believe in themselves harder, he was easy to admire and even easier to love.
The influence of a great teacher can never be erased. The laughter and love of a true friend can never be forgotten. Please help us honor Jeff by contributing whatever amount you can to the Jeffrey Murren Scholarship Fund through the GoFundMe website. The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving senior in the spring of 2017.
Organizer
Diego Lombardo
Organizer
Fort Lee, NJ
