Thomas J. Murrin, who as a top Westinghouse Electric Corp. executive played a key role in launching Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute, died Jan. 30. Mr. Murrin served as president of Westinghouse's energy and advanced technology group and later as a deputy secretary in the U.S. Department of Commerce and as dean of Duquesne University's business school.

Mr. Murrin joined with University Professors Raj Reddy and Angel Jordan to found the Robotics Institute in 1979, arranging a $3 million industrial research grant from Westinghouse.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Murrin for his vision and for his leadership," said Matt Mason, director of the Robotics Institute. "He had a profound effect on this university and on the growth of robotics in general."

For more details on Mr. Murrin's life and accomplishments, see his obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
February 6, 2012