$3 Million Murphy Grant Received by Hendrix
CONWAY, Ark. (June 6, 2007)
The Arkansas-based Murphy Foundation has contributed a $3 million grant to Hendrix College’s Odyssey Professorship Program, one of the largest gifts in the college’s 131-year history.
Because of the Murphy Foundation grant, Hendrix students and professors will be allowed numerous educational opportunities in a variety of interest areas throughout the world – from studying entrepreneurial issues in China to performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City to studying the ventilation of dolphins in Connecticut to working closely and routinely with Arkansas legislators in Little Rock. The grant is designed to encourage others to contribute to the college’s Odyssey Professorship Program, which allows professors extraordinary opportunities to “demonstrate a passion for the value of engaged learning,” said J. Timothy Cloyd, President of Hendrix College.
“Madison and Suzanne Murphy and their family have always put their money where their hearts are, whether giving to the enhancement of education for Arkansas students or contributing to the many other charitable endeavors they support,” Cloyd said. “For Hendrix College, this gift will provide our students and professors with long-lasting and life-changing experiences that will expand knowledge and enhance the quality of our graduates – a huge benefit to our college, the state of Arkansas and our entire country.”
Madison and Suzanne Murphy both graduated from Hendrix College in 1980. Madison Murphy is presently chairman of the college’s Board of Trustees.
ABOUT HENDRIX’S ODYSSEY PROGRAM: The Hendrix Odyssey Program, established in 2004, requires Hendrix students to complete three Odyssey experiences during their undergraduate career in areas selected from six categories: Artistic creativity, global awareness, professional and leadership development, service to the world, undergraduate research and special projects.
ABOUT THE PROFESSORSHIP PROGRAM: The Professorship Program is an expansion from the original Odyssey program, directly incorporating professors into the idea of engaged learning. Hendrix professors are invited to submit Odyssey Professorship proposals for consideration. Faculty members are encouraged to develop courses or other engaged learning experiences that may include travel to professional conferences, international or cross-cultural study experiences, artistic endeavors, or special projects that will ultimately stimulate additional student participation in the Hendrix Odyssey Program.
ABOUT THE GRANT: The Murphy Foundation’s grant for the Odyssey Professorship program is a 1:1 matching challenge grant. Gifts of $250,000 will be matched dollar-for-dollar to create an endowment of $500,000 to support a Hendrix Odyssey Professor. With matching funds included, the grant could reach as high as $6 million.
PROFESSORSHIP PROGRAM EXAMPLES: More than 40 faculty Odyssey projects have already been approved.
Hendrix, founded in 1876, is a selective, residential, undergraduate liberal arts college that emphasizes experiential learning in a demanding yet supportive environment. The college has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. For more information, visit www.hendrix.edu.
