The Fireside Chats are a series of conversations and remembrances with present and retired faculty. The presenters will reflect on their time at D’Youville College, their colleagues and students—past and present, the changes they have witnessed at the college and their vision of D’Youville College for the future.

Student Affairs staff are the speakers for this event.

Refreshments to follow.

Speaker Biographies

Robert “Butch” Murphy, B.A., M.A. Mr. Murphy came to D’Youville College in 1976 as director of student programming, and eventually became the associate dean of students. In 1988, he was appointed V.P. for Student Affairs, which included residence life, the health office, personal counseling, student activities, the career center, and campus ministry. In 2003, he took on the additional role of V.P. for enrollment management, overseeing admissions, financial aid, and retention services. Since then the College has seen a substantial growth in enrollment. He is currently helping to develop an international student initiative, while also working to improve the marketing of the College.

Mary Pfeiffer, B.S. Ms. Pfeiffer graduated from D'Youville in 1984 with a B.S. in Elementary and Special Education. She taught for 16 years in a private school until 2000. In 1984, she began working at D’Youville as a College Center manager and continued in that position until 2000 when she became the Director of the College Center. She added the title of Coordinator, Event Services in 2006. Ms. Pfeiffer has also served the College as a member of the Strategic Planning Advisory Group and Administrators Advisory Group. She is a former member of the DYC Alumni Board, past V.P. of the Alumni Association, past coach for the Delaware Soccer Club and current associate and volunteer at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy. As a student at DYC, she received the D'Youville Medal in 1984. In 2003, she was named D'Youville Administrator of the Year, and five years later she received the Delta Sigma Award and was inducted into the St. Marguerite d'Youville Honor Society.

Sister Marlene Butler, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, B.A., M.A., M.S. A graduate of D’Youville College, Sister Marlene’s ministry included teaching in elementary school and high school. She served as Dean of Students at D’Youville College, Principal at Holy Angels Academy, Director of Campus Ministry at Canisius College and President of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart. She also served on the D'Youville College Board of Trustees for 9 years and chaired the first Student Affairs Committee for the Board. Sister Marlene received her M.A. from Villanova University and M.S. from Buffalo State College.

Jeffrey Platt, B.S., M.S. Mr. Platt’s first day as an admissions counselor at D’Youville was delayed, as President Ronald Reagan was dining in the PVR that day in September of 1984. Within a year he was promoted to assistant director. In 1988, he created the New Student Office in addition to running student activities, advising the student newspaper, and organizing the college yearbook. He was subsequently promoted to assistant vice president for student affairs. In the early 90’s, he created Connections: the Information and Resource Center. In 2002, Mr. Platt was promoted to associate vice president for student affairs, and shortly thereafter was asked to create the Academic Advisement Center and become the director. He mentioned that his work “is still a learning experience that I am pleased to be part of!”