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Marion Joy, daughter of a long-time employee at Union Switch & Signal, is the 2007 recipient of the Susan C. Murray Memorial Scholarship. She is the daughter of Christine Joy, who works for US&S as a senior programmer analyst in the Engineering Department. The scholarship winner was formally announced at the ASLRRA Annual Convention last month, and both mother and daughter attended and said a few words during the convention’s closing banquet.

Marion, who lives in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, will graduate in a few weeks from Sewickley Academy. She plans to attend Georgia Tech University this fall and pursue a degree in biomedical engineering. In addition to a strong academic record and top-tier college entrance test scores, Joy’s participation in extra-curricular activities, sports and volunteer work is particularly impressive. She lettered in both variety swimming and tennis. She was elected captain of her swimming team and received the most improved player award for her tennis play.

“Maturity, intelligence and kindness are unquestionably the greatest strengths of Marion,” one of her counselors wrote. “These traits shine through in every facet of her life.” She is an active member of the American Youth Foundation, a group devoted to character building and leadership.  For the last six years, Marion has been a volunteer with Special Olympics—a cause near and dear to her heart. Her younger brother has severe autism and Marion is one of his main caregivers.

In the essay accompanying her scholarship application, she wrote: “Living with an autistic brother is an everyday event that influences my future. He has given me a passion for children with disabilities and a desire to assist them in events such as the Special Olympics. In addition, I want to pursue a career that involves researching the causes of—and possible cures for—autism.”

The four-year scholarship is named after Susan Murray, a vice president with Commonwealth Business Media who passed away in 2003. Murray was the guiding force behind the ASLRRA’s annual convention and enjoyed a close working relationship with the association for 15 years. The annual scholarship is open to daughters and granddaughters of ASLRRA railroad members and associate members.