Helping kids shine brighter — exactly as they are

When Bill Murray, ’14, began his journey at Central Michigan University, he never imagined that one day he’d be designing a tool to help autistic children. But for Murray, CMU was the foundation — providing the support, structure, and life experiences he needed to grow into a purpose-driven leader equipped to take on meaningful challenges.

That purpose became clear when Murray’s daughter, Rowan, was diagnosed with autism at age three. As she began speech and occupational therapy, Murray noticed there were few tools available that helped families like his consistently support their child’s growth in a way that felt playful, engaging, and emotionally safe.

So, Murray, a technical sales rep at Dell Technologies, put his twenty-plus years of computer skills to work. In April, he launched BrighterBuddy — a supportive app paired with a sensory plush toy designed to help autistic children practice real-world social and communication scenarios in a positive, judgment-free environment.

“BrighterBuddy is all about helping kids shine brighter, exactly as they are,” Murray said.

Still in early development, BrighterBuddy already has a working prototype, early support from families and therapists, and a clear mission: to create an empowering, at-home companion that complements therapy and centers each child’s strengths.

“Many autistic kids face challenges with social skills, communication, and confidence in daily life,” Murray said. “BrighterBuddy provides a fun, supportive way to practice these skills through real-world scenarios, giving families a tool that complements therapy and helps them reinforce growth at home.”

Murray, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Service Sector Administration via CMU Online, looks back fondly on his time at CMU. He credits the university with helping him learn and mature in an environment that was perfect for him.

“My time at Central sharpened my ability to think critically and adapt to challenges,” Murray said. “Those skills have been invaluable throughout my career — especially now, in building something for Rowan and so many families like ours.”

For more information on the "BrighterBuddy for Autism Support" GoFundMe, click here.