Richard and Liz Burns were honored with the 2025 Hermelin Award for Fundraising Volunteer Leadership at the University of Michigan.
By Annie Hagstrom
Michigan Law
The University of Michigan has presented its most prestigious donor recognition to longtime Law School supporters Richard Burns, ’71, and his late wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Murphy Burns.
The David B. Hermelin Award for Fundraising Volunteer Leadership recognizes individuals who have made significant philanthropic contributions to the University. Interim President Domenico Grasso presented the award to Richard and to Liz (posthumously) at an event held on October 17. Liz died in April.
“Richard and Elizabeth were passionate about building connections across campus and with other donors, and their efforts have made an essential difference in students’ lives,” said Grasso when presenting the award. “Richard, we are thinking about Liz today and are thrilled to honor the two of you with the Hermelin Award. Thank you for everything you do for Michigan.”
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A lifelong commitment
For more than 50 years, Richard has served as a volunteer fundraiser for Michigan Law, an avocation he jokingly attributes to his “bad habit” of forming friendships with people who work in development and alumni relations offices.
Although she wasn’t an alum, “Liz had a true affinity for the Law School, too, which made it easier for us both to be involved,” said Richard.
Richard has helped lead major fundraising efforts at the Law School, including the Reunion Giving program, the campaign to build Jeffries Hall and the Robert B. Aikens Commons, and the Victors for Michigan Campaign. He previously served on the Dean’s Advisory Council and continues to serve as a member of the Development and Alumni Relations Committee.
In 2014, the couple established the Richard and Elizabeth Burns Debt Management Fund at the Law School, which offsets student-loan debt for Michigan Law graduates who pursue lower-paying jobs in the public or private sector. They have also made contributions to the Douglas A. Kahn Collegiate Professorship and the Evan H. Caminker Endowed Fund and have championed causes like the Women of the Class of ’71 Scholarship Fund, which commemorates the first class in Michigan Law’s history to admit more than 10 women. The women of the class named Liz an honorary member.
“Contributing to the Law School’s reputation as a competitive institution with a beautiful campus is important to me, and I’m just happy to have been involved in any way,” said Richard.
Richard and Liz’s longstanding support of the Law School totals more than $1.65 million in addition to a significant planned gift through their estate.
—————
Leadership in law and media
A double Wolverine, Richard was inspired to attend Michigan Law by his father, Herbert M. Burns, LLB ’33, and brother, William Burns, ’68. Richard spent his career as a small business lawyer, representing family-owned businesses and professionals in business and estate planning matters.
Liz studied drama at the University of Arizona, where she was known to jam with a promising talent, Linda Ronstadt. She also befriended a young Craig T. Nelson, whom she honored through a gift to the University of Arizona. Thanks to Liz’s gift, the stage in the renovated Marroney Theatre is now named the Craig T. Nelson Stage.
While her classmates became well-known performers, Liz’s media career began at television stations in Tucson and San Diego and in radio ownership in Southern California. By age 25, she owned and operated her own radio station. Liz was the third-generation owner of Morgan Murphy Media (MMM), a company founded by her grandfather in 1890. Her grandfather pioneered in newspapers, her father in radio and television, and she embraced the digital world as part of MMM’s news, information, and entertainment delivery service.
“She was a trailblazer in broadcasting and a real force in the industry,” said Richard.
Liz served as the company’s president and chief executive officer, and Richard as general counsel, for more than four decades.
—————
Broad impact
At the University of Michigan, Richard and Liz have supported the Alumni Association; Michigan Athletics; the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; University Musical Society; the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance; Michigan Medicine; and Chi Psi Fraternity—Richard and his brother, William, were members simultaneously.
“Philanthropy, either through financial means or otherwise, has always been a part of the blood of our family,” said Richard. “We’ve been grateful to be involved in very many charitable endeavors, at the University and elsewhere.
“Our pride at the University of Michigan extends to many areas, but at the center of it is the Law School.”
Michigan Law
The University of Michigan has presented its most prestigious donor recognition to longtime Law School supporters Richard Burns, ’71, and his late wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Murphy Burns.
The David B. Hermelin Award for Fundraising Volunteer Leadership recognizes individuals who have made significant philanthropic contributions to the University. Interim President Domenico Grasso presented the award to Richard and to Liz (posthumously) at an event held on October 17. Liz died in April.
“Richard and Elizabeth were passionate about building connections across campus and with other donors, and their efforts have made an essential difference in students’ lives,” said Grasso when presenting the award. “Richard, we are thinking about Liz today and are thrilled to honor the two of you with the Hermelin Award. Thank you for everything you do for Michigan.”
—————
A lifelong commitment
For more than 50 years, Richard has served as a volunteer fundraiser for Michigan Law, an avocation he jokingly attributes to his “bad habit” of forming friendships with people who work in development and alumni relations offices.
Although she wasn’t an alum, “Liz had a true affinity for the Law School, too, which made it easier for us both to be involved,” said Richard.
Richard has helped lead major fundraising efforts at the Law School, including the Reunion Giving program, the campaign to build Jeffries Hall and the Robert B. Aikens Commons, and the Victors for Michigan Campaign. He previously served on the Dean’s Advisory Council and continues to serve as a member of the Development and Alumni Relations Committee.
In 2014, the couple established the Richard and Elizabeth Burns Debt Management Fund at the Law School, which offsets student-loan debt for Michigan Law graduates who pursue lower-paying jobs in the public or private sector. They have also made contributions to the Douglas A. Kahn Collegiate Professorship and the Evan H. Caminker Endowed Fund and have championed causes like the Women of the Class of ’71 Scholarship Fund, which commemorates the first class in Michigan Law’s history to admit more than 10 women. The women of the class named Liz an honorary member.
“Contributing to the Law School’s reputation as a competitive institution with a beautiful campus is important to me, and I’m just happy to have been involved in any way,” said Richard.
Richard and Liz’s longstanding support of the Law School totals more than $1.65 million in addition to a significant planned gift through their estate.
—————
Leadership in law and media
A double Wolverine, Richard was inspired to attend Michigan Law by his father, Herbert M. Burns, LLB ’33, and brother, William Burns, ’68. Richard spent his career as a small business lawyer, representing family-owned businesses and professionals in business and estate planning matters.
Liz studied drama at the University of Arizona, where she was known to jam with a promising talent, Linda Ronstadt. She also befriended a young Craig T. Nelson, whom she honored through a gift to the University of Arizona. Thanks to Liz’s gift, the stage in the renovated Marroney Theatre is now named the Craig T. Nelson Stage.
While her classmates became well-known performers, Liz’s media career began at television stations in Tucson and San Diego and in radio ownership in Southern California. By age 25, she owned and operated her own radio station. Liz was the third-generation owner of Morgan Murphy Media (MMM), a company founded by her grandfather in 1890. Her grandfather pioneered in newspapers, her father in radio and television, and she embraced the digital world as part of MMM’s news, information, and entertainment delivery service.
“She was a trailblazer in broadcasting and a real force in the industry,” said Richard.
Liz served as the company’s president and chief executive officer, and Richard as general counsel, for more than four decades.
—————
Broad impact
At the University of Michigan, Richard and Liz have supported the Alumni Association; Michigan Athletics; the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; University Musical Society; the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance; Michigan Medicine; and Chi Psi Fraternity—Richard and his brother, William, were members simultaneously.
“Philanthropy, either through financial means or otherwise, has always been a part of the blood of our family,” said Richard. “We’ve been grateful to be involved in very many charitable endeavors, at the University and elsewhere.
“Our pride at the University of Michigan extends to many areas, but at the center of it is the Law School.”
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