The Philanthropist Award is presented annually to Spartans whose generosity and leadership have made a significant impact through MSU.
At the 2024 Grand Awards, two visionaries, Keelung Hong and the late Stephen O. Murray, were honored with the Philanthropist Award. Together, their generosity has created a lasting legacy at MSU and beyond.
Stephen O. Murray was a distinguished sociologist, anthropologist and independent scholar whose work profoundly impacted the fields of social sciences, particularly in the study of homosexuality across cultures and history.
His journey into academia began at James Madison College with a double major in Social Psychology and Justice and Morality and Constitutional Democracy. Stephen continued his education with an M.A. in Sociology from the University of Arizona and a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Toronto. His post-doctoral training at the University of California, Berkeley further honed his skills in anthropology.
Keelung Hong, Stephen's life partner since 1981, is the founder, chairman, and CEO of TLC BioSciences, a biopharmaceutical company. With an M.S. in chemistry from the University of Texas at El Paso and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, his scientific pursuits mirrored Stephen’s dedication to social research. Throughout his career, Keelung worked extensively in cancer therapy research.
Research was always top of mind for Stephen. Whenever he would ponder current societal issues, or wonder about new possibilities, his mantra was: “Let’s do the research!” He would scour the MSU Libraries Special Collections to find what he was looking for... and if he couldn’t find a book dedicated to his subject, Stephen would write it himself!
Stephen’s extensive body of work includes studies in sociolinguistics, the history of social sciences and the social organizations of homosexuality. His landmark books, "American Gay" and "Homosexualities," are celebrated for their in-depth exploration of gay and lesbian lives across various cultures and historical periods.
Throughout his career, Stephen also co-edited numerous collections on homosexuality in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, the Islamic world and the Pacific, including Taiwan and Cambodia.
Activism was integral to Stephen's professional life. In 1974, he was a founding member of the American Sociological Association and played a key role in establishing the Association for Queer Anthropology in 1978. His efforts were driven by a commitment to bringing visibility and legitimacy to lesbian and gay scholars and research within academic circles.
After Stephen passed away in 2019, Keelung worked to find the best home for his spouse’s work. To honor Stephen’s extensive scholarly contributions and his dedication to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, Keelung donated an extensive collection of Stephen’s personal papers and research materials to the MSU Libraries Special Collections, which was renamed the Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections in their honor.
Additionally, Keelung’s generous lead gift for the newly renovated MSU Libraries Special Collections has brought a collaborative new space to life on the third floor of the Main Library’s East Wing.
Keelung and Stephen’s legacy embodies what the Philanthropist Award exemplifies — generosity that uplifts, educates and endures. Through his philanthropic efforts, Keelung has ensured that Stephen’s legacy will continue to inspire and support future generations of Spartans.