paul murphyscholarship
INTRODUCTION
The Paul Murphy Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Paul Murphy, who joined the Buffalo Convention Center as director of sales from 1993 to 1999 and later served as general manager for nearly two decades until his passing on Dec. 27, 2020.
Paul was a strong advocate for tourism and hospitality in Buffalo. One of his final wishes was to establish a scholarship to help graduating seniors pursue degrees in hospitality.
Paul is survived by his wife, Kim, and daughters, Natalie, Tara and Ella, who helped establish the scholarship in partnership with Visit Buffalo and the Buffalo Convention Center.
DONATION INFORMATION
If you would like to make a gift by mail, please send a check made payable to the:
Paul Murphy Scholarship Fund,
c/o Visit Buffalo Niagara Foundation,
403 Main St., Suite 630
Buffalo, NY 14203
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION and application process
ANNOUNCING APPLICATIONS FOR THE PAUL MURPHY SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATING SENIORS IN THE CLASS OF 2026 ENTERING COLLEGE IN FALL 2026
Thanks to generous donations from the family, friends and colleagues of the Murphy family, Paul Murphy Scholarship fund will award $1,000 to one 2026 senior enrolled in college for the fall 2026 term.
Deadline to Apply: Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Click here to complete application form
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Paul Murphy Scholarship award, applicants must:
- Be a 2026 graduate from a high school in Western New York (Erie or Niagara counties)
- Be enrollment in a two-year or four-year college (Fall 2026)
- Have an intent to pursue a career in hospitality management or related field (e.g. event management, tourism, culinary, etc.)
Instructions:
1) Complete all required sections and submit the application form.
2) Email a copy of your high school transcript and one letter of recommendation from a teacher to paulmurphyscholarship@gmail.com.
NOTE: Applicants must email a copy of their transcript and a letter of recommendation for consideration.
The applicant selected for the scholarship will be notified via email by the end of July 2026.
If you have questions, contact paulmurphyscholarship@gmail.com.
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
BACKGROUND
Paul was born and raised in Lockport, New York. He graduated from DeSales Catholic High School in 1981. He was the proud son of the late Lucille and Matthew Murphy, the NYS assemblyman. His father, who was the first chairman of the Committee on Tourism, guided the development of much of the state’s tourism infrastructure. Inspired by his father, Paul has followed in his footsteps.
Paul earned an Associate Degree in Hotel Management from SUNY Delhi and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Science from Florida International University.
Paul Murphy started his impressive hospitality career, earning his first job right out of college when he was only 21 years old at the iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Paul went on to hold several distinguished positions in the hospitality industry in New York City and throughout Western New York culminating in his twenty-year role as General Manager of the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. His unique and natural ability to ensure that everyone who walked through the Convention Center doors felt appreciated and important was so evident – whether it be with his girls and their friends at the Charity Ball or World’s Largest Disco, government and community leaders at official functions and fundraising galas; or the public at events such as the Auto and Home Shows, the Turkey Trot and First Night.
Even with a busy and demanding career he thrived on, Paul always put family first. He so enjoyed every opportunity he had to spend quality time with his wife of 31 years, Kim, and daughters, Natalie, Tara, and Ella, along with his big extended family and many special friends. Paul passed away peacefully at home with his wife and daughters by his side after a four-month battle with an extremely aggressive bile duct cancer.
LEGACY
Paul’s humility, warm enthusiasm, and joy for life touched everyone he encountered. He was kind, humble, and genuinely compassionate. Paul always ensured that all those around him were welcome and comfortable. He treated each person he knew with the same level of respect, care, and support. This is among the many reasons his family and friends considered him to be one of their favorite people.
Paul was a true ambassador for the City of Buffalo and instilled in all his valued colleagues a deep sense of pride in their contributions to the region’s revitalization, irrespective of their titles. Paul was humbled to receive recent recognition with Mayor Byron Brown’s Executive Chamber Proclamation declaring September 25, 2020, his 57th birthday, as Paul Murphy Day in the City of Buffalo. On January 7, 2021, Paul was honored by the Erie County Legislature with a moment of silence and a memorial proclamation that commemorates the moment.
Paul’s family and friends are likewise honored by the statements from Erie County Executive Mark Polancarz, “Paul’s staunch advocacy for Buffalo and belief in Western New York infused and energized his work while his great attention to detail made him a terrific team partner and planner, with a dry sense of humor and warm manner that put people at ease and made working with him a joy. Paul will be greatly missed, and our thoughts and condolences go along with our prayers to his wife, Kim, and his family.”
Visit Buffalo President Patrick Kaler stated, “In thinking about Paul, I’m struck by the affection people had for him,” he said. “Yes, Paul was the consummate professional whose passionate attention to the little things was the driving force behind all the stellar reviews the center received from meeting planners and convention attendees year after year. But it was Paul’s sweet and steady disposition that really endeared him to our customers. In a very stressful business with lots of moving parts and pressure to perform, Paul was a soothing and reassuring presence — and our customers loved him for it.”
