The Murdock Library is named after M.J. (Jack) Murdock (1917-1971), who began his career when he opened a radio and electronics store after he graduated high school. After serving in the US Coast Guard from 1942-1946, he co-founded an electronics company named Tektronix, Inc in 1946. He served as secretary-treasurer and general manager of the company until 1960, at which point he was elected and served as chairman of the board until his death. During this era of his life, he developed an interest in independent colleges and began to invest financially in George Fox College throughout the 1960s and 1970s by supporting programs that stimulated student body growth.
After he died in a seaplane accident in 1971, the M.J. Murdock charitable trust, worth $85 million, was established by his estate with the mission of granting funds for “religious, charitable, scientific, or educational purposes.” The trust gave $1.35 million to George Fox in 1987 specifically for the addition and renovation of the already existing Shambaugh Library. The improved, 35,000 square foot library was named the Murdock Learning Resource Center to honor the trust’s donation at its dedication in 1988.
The university library was originally named the Shambaugh Library, after Gilbert and Olive Shambaugh, The couple became interested in George Fox through Olive’s niece. After a long phone call with then-president Milo Ross, the Shambaughs decided to support the university financially, and in 1960 they donated $275,000 for a new library to be built. In 1962, the library had its dedication ceremony and was opened to students. Olive went on to become one of the first women to be included in the university’s board of trustees in 1964.
As the university quickly expanded, it became apparent that the library was being outgrown. It was built to accommodate 400 students, but the student population was now well over 700.
In 1978, the college board adopted a resolution recommending that the library is expanded by 36,000-40,000 square feet, to be able to house 150,000 volumes and provide more space for the student. In 1987, a campaign for funds to remodel and expand the library was started. The $3.5 million campaign was the largest ever conducted at this point in the university’s history. In 1987, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust donated $1.35 million towards the library renovation and expansion. The new and improved library was completed in 1988, bearing the name Murdock Learning Resource Center in honor of the university’s long-standing relationship with the trust.
Today, the Murdock building is still the home to the university’s library, as well as the George Fox University and Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Archives, the Academic Resource Center, accessibility and disability services.
