Richard Murray Scholarship
Dr. Richard Murray is a senior research fellow at the Hobby School of Public Affairs. A political scientist, Murray co-founded the Center for Public Policy, the precursor to the Hobby School of Public Affairs, in 1981, and served as the director of polling operations for nearly four decades. In addition to polling, Murray’s expertise includes election trends and practices, and partisan political change in Texas.
The Richard Murray Endowed Scholarship was established in 2008 for the purpose of honoring Professor Emeritus Dr. Richard Murray's service to the Houston community and over 50 years of teaching and research at the University of Houston.
From left to right: Mrs. Elyse Lanier, former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier, Dr. Richard Murray, and Debbie Hartman-Murray
An Overview of Dr. Murray's Accomplishments
- Taught political science at UH since 1966
- Founded the Hobby Center for Public Policy (HCPP) in 1981 with a small group of UH faculty
- Established the HCPP’s polling operations in 1981
- Co-authored Pro-Growth Politics Change and Governance in Houston (1991)
- Served as director of the HCPP from 1996-2006
- Created the HCPP’s Houston Government Internship Program in 1996
- Launched the computer assisted survey system in the Survey Research Institute in 2000
- Awarded the Bob Lanier Chair in Urban Public Policy in 2004
The Award
The Richard Murray Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student who shares a passion for politics and policy, has a strong academic commitment and demonstrates a dedication to public service. Private funds were raised to endow this scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria
The scholarship recipient(s) will be determined by the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs Scholarship Committee. Criteria includes the following:
- Scholarship prospect exhibits leadership qualities as determined by the Hobby School Scholarship Committee.
- Scholarship applicant should have a strong academic commitment and demonstrate dedication to public service.
- Scholarship applicant should demonstrate a passion for politics and policy.
- Scholarship applicant can be a certified full-time undergraduate or graduate certificate or degree-seeking student in good standing at the University of Houston.
- Scholarship recipient must maintain a GPA in accordance with the standards set by the Hobby School Scholarship Committee.
- Scholarship recipient may accept other scholarships and grants in conjunction with the Dr. Richard Murray Scholarship.
- Funds can be used to cover expenses for tuition, books, fees and/or supplies for the coming academic semester. Any expenses of a recipient in excess of the amount deposited must be borne by the student.
Application
Applications are closed. Please check back at a later date.
Congratulations to our spring 2023 Richard Murray Endowed Scholarship Recipients!
Andres Espinola is a junior majoring in political science and minoring in psychology. Espinola transferred to the University of Houston from Lone Star College-Montgomery. He was a Civic Houston Intern with the Office of County Administration’s Department of Boards and Commissions in the spring of 2023. The aspiring immigration attorney wants to enter the UH Law Center after completing his bachelor’s degree.
Winnie Pham is a freshman at the Honors College majoring in political science and minoring in economics. On campus, Pham is involved with the UH Bauer Capital Group Undergraduate Investment Fund and UH Challenger. Previously, she was involved with the UH Pre-Law Society, NextGen America and Student Government Association. Pham was a Civic Houston Intern with the City of Houston’s Mayor’s Office of Education and Youth Engagement in the spring of 2023.
Matthew Tao is a senior double majoring in political science and psychology with triple minors in Asian American Studies, biology and laws, values, and policies. Tao is involved in various campus organizations and initiatives, including the Metropolitan Volunteer Program, South Asian Student Association and UH Asian American Studies Center. Additionally, he worked on research projects through the Research for Aspiring Coogs program. Tao was a Civic Houston Intern in the district office of Texas State Representative Gene Wu in the spring of 2023.
Arkan Turki is a junior majoring in political science and minoring in public relations. Turki is involved with the UH Student Government Association and Muslim Student Association. He has extensive internship experience, including working on political campaigns at various levels of government, from Justice of the Peace to congressional races. Turki is the president of the Fort Bend Young Democrats and a precinct chair in Fort Bend County.
Eshal Warsi is a sophomore at the Honors College majoring in political science and minoring in leadership studies. On campus, Warsi is involved with the UH Undergraduate Mock Trial Team and Cougar Village 1 Hall Council while supporting student-athletes at the Academic Center for Excellence. Warsi recently participated in the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship’s Impact Competition, where she led her team to first place as the team captain. Warsi has also volunteered on a mayoral campaign.