May 29, 2026 – The Hendrix-Murphy Foundation awarded $147,716 in grants in the spring semester for 24 student cocurricular projects and three faculty-led study-travel projects in literature and language. Funded project trips span eight countries and seven states.
Since 2010, the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation has spent more than $3.6 million on study-travel in the U.S. and abroad; $1.4 million on visiting writers, theatre directors, and literary scholars; and $1.9 million on campus literature & language projects.
“The quality and range of these Hendrix-Murphy projects proves, once again, that if a student is interested in the study of literature and language, there’s no better place to be than Hendrix College,” said Dr. Tyrone Jaeger, Hendrix-Murphy Foundation director and professor of English-creative writing.
The following student and faculty-led projects were approved for funding:
An American Abroad: A Literary Study of James Baldwin
Shelby Still ’28, a psychology major and Murphy Scholar from West Fork, engaged in a study of author James Baldwin’s work regarding social justice and the American identity during the spring semester. Still spent time immersed in Baldwin’s Paris by visiting landmarks and connecting her experience abroad with the themes of his work. She completed the project by writing a reflective essay upon Baldwin’s literary legacy and the exigence of reading his work in the current geopolitical landscape, along with parallels between Baldwin’s call for social justice in mid-century America and the present. Project supervisor was Dr. Collen Mayo ’11, Murphy Fellow in English and assistant professor of English-creative writing.
Building a Discipline of Joy Writing Retreat at Dairy Hollow
Six students along with Prof. Marie Kressin ’17, visiting assistant professor of English-creative writing, will visit the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow in the Ozark mountains in Eureka Springs, for a three-day retreat. Students will engage in activities geared toward the topic of writing through eco-grief. They will respond to place-based prompts, enjoy focused writing time in their individual suites, immerse themselves in the local area, and take turns leading guided discussions with the end goal of this residency being the real-world application of disciplined attention and disciplined joy.
Death Becomes Us: Queer Identity and Vampiric Morality in Anne Rice's New Orleans
Ivy Branum ’26, a sociology/anthropology major and Murphy Scholar from Greenwood, traveled to New Orleans to research author Anne Rice’s creative process by spending time at Tulane University’s Special Collections which houses Rice’s original manuscripts, drafts, notes, and audio recordings. The themes in Rice’s work that Branum explored included the New Orleans-based vampire literature centered around queer identity, aging, morality, and belonging. Branum gained insight into Rice’s decisions to use real-world locations and how she engaged folklore and queer experience in “The Vampire Chronicles.” Project supervision was provided by Dr. Tyrone Jaeger.
Deutsch Im Alltag: German Language and Cultural Immersion in Berlin
Dr. Rebekah Nelson, director of international programs, and Dr. Erick Axxe, assistant professor of sociology, will lead 10 students on a two-week intensive German language immersion program in Berlin. Participants will enroll in a 50-lesson non-credit course at the Goethe-Institut Berlin while also staying in home-stay accommodations, placing them in daily contact with German-speaking residents. Students will develop greater confidence communicating in German, navigating transportation and housing independently, and reflecting critically on cultural adaptation.
Euripides' “Orestes” in New York City
Avery Cagle ’26, a classics major and Murphy Scholar from Austin, Texas, and Kylie Waeltz ’27 a sociology major and Murphy Scholar from Russellville, built upon the readings and analyzation of Roman and Greek tragedies in their Murphy tutorial with Dr. Stanley H. Rauh, professor of classics. Cagle and Waeltz attended Barnard Columbia Ancient Drama Group’s spring production of Euripides’ “Orestes” in New York City which was performed in ancient Greek. They also met with the production director to discuss the staging of an ancient drama and to tour backstage as part of their investigation of the differences in reading versus viewing a production designed for the stage. The project was supervised by Prof. Hal Cosentino, Murphy fellow in theatre arts and assistant professor of theatre arts.
Exploring Borges: Tango, Fiction, and Language in Buenos Aires
Psalm Wistrand ’28, a biochemistry/molecular biology major and Murphy Scholar from Mena, will enroll in an advanced course in Argentine Fiction, have an immersive experience with Spanish through a homestay and part-time internship with Council on International Educational Exchange. Wistrand will also conduct independent research on Jorge Luis Borge’s fiction and work to demystify his complex storytelling by tracing his life experiences and connections to his literary works, focusing specifically on his intimate relationship with the tango. The project supervisor is Dr. Zachary Brandner, Murphy fellow in Spanish and assistant professor of Spanish.
Exploring the Relative Universality of Human Rights Translation
Madison Roberts ’27 French and politics double major from North Little Rock, will travel to Geneva, Switzerland to observe sessions of the Human Rights Council to better understand how human rights are conceptualized and implemented across cultures. Roberts specifically wants to focus on the role of translators and how they navigate cultural and political variations to materially produce the “relative universality” of human rights. Project supervisor is Dr. Daniel J. Edquist-Whelan, professor of politics.
Hosting the 18th International Conference on the Short Story in English
Hendrix College and the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation will host the International Conference on the Short Story in English (ICSSE) from June 15-20, 2027. The ICSSE is a biennial international conference that brings together writers, scholars, translators, and teachers engaged in the study and practice of the short story and creative nonfiction. Hosting the conference will provide 20-25 Hendrix students with direct, mentored participation in an international literary community through paper presentations, panel discussions, workshops, readings, and paid internships or co-ops supporting conference operations. Students will gain experience in literary analysis and creative practice, professional presentation, and academic collaboration while engaging with visiting writers and scholars from around the world. Hendrix faculty will be encouraged to actively support and participate in the conference. The conference will emphasize inclusive literary traditions, with planned thematic attention to Native American writers, historically Black colleges and universities, and regional literary cultures.
International Intonation; A Rhetorical Analysis of Speeches and Dialogue at the United Nationals Human Rights Council
Beckett McCaslin ’28, a politics major and Murphy Scholar from Little Rock, will travel to Geneva, Switzerland to investigate the rhetorical dimensions of United Nations’ Human Rights Council (UNHRC) speeches. By studying these speeches, McCaslin seeks to provide valuable insights into the power of words in the promotion of human rights. He will be attempting to answer the question “how does rhetoric, particularly in international contexts, shape meaning, nuance, and reception of human rights?” Project supervisor is Dr. Daniel J. Edquist-Whelan.
Interpreter and Translator for Nature, Conservation, & Wellbeing Research in Costa Rica
Daniel Hernandez ’29, an environmental studies major and Murphy Scholar from Chula Vista, Calif., will spend ten days in the Alajuela and Monteverde regions of Costa Rica as part of the research team with Dr. Jennifer Penner and Dr. Carmen Merrick, professors of psychology. Hernandez will serve as the trip interpreter and translator as they conduct interviews with conservation scientists, ecotourism guides, and farmers as they seek to identify nature interventions that will improve wellbeing. The project is supervised by Dr. Jennifer Penner.
Language, Identity, and Translation
Sandra Ramirez ’26, a sociology/anthropology major and Murphy Scholar from Little Rock, traveled to Austin, Texas to attend the Latinx Studies Association Conference, which gathers scholars, writers, and community activists whose work contributes to the field of Latinx studies. Building on her experience leading Hendrix’s Spanish Reading Group and personal interest in the works of Gloria Anzaldúa and Marcello Hernández Castillo, Ramirez attended poetry and book readings, literary panels, and professional development sessions that centered language and narrative practices which strengthened both her analytical and creative writing skills. Project supervisor is Dr. Zachary Brandner.
Mannen-Seinen: An Immersion-based Exploration of Language and Longevity in Japan
Max Hooten ’27, a biology major from Greenbrier, will travel to Okinawa, Shiga, and Akita, Japan to investigate how language intersects with the culture of longevity with the recent shift in lowered life expectancy. With a foundation of conversational Japanese, Hooten will have formal instruction from a tutor and conduct interviews with residents, visit local clinics, and participate in short homestays entirely in Japanese, all while studying the dialects of each region and polite register. The project is supervised by Dr. Wenjia Liu, professor of Chinese.
Montreal French Immersion
Megan Brown ’27, a French major and Murphy Scholar from Hot Springs Village, will travel to Montreal, Canada for a week-long French language immersion experience. She will participate in intensive French study, travel to museums to explore history and artistic aspects of Montreal, and attend a theatre performance and an Indigenous cultural festival. Brown will research more historical contexts to the French culture and language that are relevant to specifically Canada as well as France. Project supervision provided by Dr. Chris Campolo, professor of philosophy.
Narrative Medicine at Columbia University
Adilynn Henry ’26, a health sciences major and Murphy Scholar from Gunter, Texas, attended lectures at Columbia University’s Narrative Medicine program in New York City during Spring Break. Henry spent time conversing with the faculty and in the program’s library to gain insight into new resources and literature that can be used in her own knowledge and for Hendrix’s Future Leaders of Narrative Medicine Club. Henry facilitated conversations at the Narrative Medicine Club meetings later in the spring semester after her trip. Project supervisor is Timothy Purkiss, Hendrix-Murphy Foundation assistant director.
The Page to the Stage: A Study of Adaptations of Existing Media into Theatrical Productions
Jake Nurkin ’27, a computer science major and Murphy Scholar from Hattiesburg, Miss., traveled to New York City and sought to explore the ways that mediums cross paths in Theatre in order to create exciting experiences onstage. Continuing the experiences he had during the London Playwriting Intensive during the summer of 2025, Nurkin saw a variety of play adaptations on and off Broadway, talked with industry professionals involved in the creation of play adaptations, and did further research into the interpretive process of adaptation. This project was supervised by Prof. Hal Cosentino.
Playwriting Assistantship in New York City
Campbell Christensen ’26, an interdisciplinary studies major and Murphy Scholar from Edmond, Okla., spent nine days in January traveling to New York City to complete a playwriting assistantship under the direction of playwright Prof. Hal Cosentino, who also served as project supervisor. Christensen participated in seven days of rehearsals and two performances while assisting the creative team and reflecting on the process of playwriting and devised production.
Post War Japan-Redefining Identity through Pop Culture
Isabel Jara ’26, a chemical physics major and Murphy Scholar from Little Rock, traveled to Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Kyoto, Japan in March to engage in literary analysis and exploration of the contrasting narratives revolving around the Japanese experience during World War II, specifically how scientific research was used to support government ideologies in regards to the atomic bomb and biological warfare and human experimentation. Jara compared how authors and historical exhibits commentate on the victims, Japanese and others of World War II, noting the topic of research ethics within such commentary. Project supervisor is Dr. Tyrone Jaeger.
Powerhouse Intensive: Directing
Elise Singleton ’29, an undeclared major and Murphy Scholar from Little Rock, and Audrey Young ’27, an English-literary studies and theatre arts and dance double major and Murphy Scholar from Mountain Home, will attend an intensive five-week conservatory experience at the Powerhouse Theater Training Program at Vassar College in Arlington, New York. The directing intensive will support both students’ growth in the analytical process of interpreting dramatic texts. They will also observe rehearsal processes of a professional production, how textual analysis is translated into staging and performance, and how the director’s interpretation shapes the overall production. They will both direct a short piece written by a playwriting student who is also attending the intensive. Project supervisor is Prof. Hal Cosentino.
The Prague Summer Program for Writers
Lilly Harper ’27, an English-creative writing major and Murphy Scholar from Fayetteville, and Michaela Stevens ’28, a biology major and Murphy Scholar from Hot Springs, will participate in the three-week Prague Summer Program for Writers in Prague, Czech Republic. Harper and Stevens will attend faculty-led workshops, a private conference, readings, lectures, and symposiums, among other literary-related activities. Upon completion of the Prague writing program, they will have curated a heavily revied portfolio of writing and experienced the rich literary history of Prague. Project supervisor is Dr. Tyrone Jaeger.
Revision and Remixing Towards Academia
Marveon Berry ’27, an English-creative writing major from Arkadelphia, will travel for nine days to Provincetown, Mass. to participate in Fine Arts Work Center’s poetry workshop with John Murillo. Berry will focus on collaborating with other workshop students to revise and refine his poetry to define his voice as a poet and to aid in preparation for M.F.A. applications. Project supervisor is Dr. Tyrone Jaeger.
Songs of Healing: Documenting Bengali Oral Music Traditions in the American Diaspora
Momthahina Karim Meem ’29, an undeclared major and Murphy Scholar from Chattogram, Bangladesh, will document Bengali healing music as oral literature in two diaspora communities in the United States: Dallas-Fort Worth and Hamtramck, Mich. Meem will travel to both communities, conduct recorded interviews in Bengali with several elders and community members, and capture performances of traditional songs. The final product will be a 20-to-30-minute audio documentary broadcast on KHDX 93.1 FM at Hendrix College in the fall semester, paired with a bilingual website housing full Bengali and English transcripts of the songs and interviews which will serve as a vehicle to treat these songs as what they are: living oral literature that is disappearing. Project supervisor is Dr. Gretchen Renshaw, associate professor of music.
Summer Language Study in San Sebastian
Abbott Kyle ’27, a biology major and Murphy Scholar from Conway, will travel this summer to San Sebastian, Spain for three weeks. While in Spain, Kyle will take three-hour daily Spanish classes at Lacunza International House, which will strengthen her Spanish conversation skills and place her in an everyday context. She will also immerse herself in the culture of San Sebastián by studying its history and wealth of museums that range from maritime to modern art. Project supervisor is Dr. Garbine Vidal-Torreira, professor of Spanish.
Together We Rise: A Community Art & Storytelling Project
Michelle Leyva ’26, a politics major and Murphy Scholar from Little Rock, will coordinate a multi-faceted project with the goal to highlight the importance of libraries, not only for literacy, but also for the well-being of communities and the health of American democracy. Leyva will identify symbols and themes that the surveyed Hendrix community feels best represent the collective campus identity and interpretation of the theme “Together We Rise.” In collaboration with Muralist, Murphy Scholar Alum, and Watson Fellow Adaja Cooper ’23, Leyva will invite student organizations to paint sections of a mural art piece to foster low-stakes creative connection to leave a literal mark on campus. Leyva will also conduct interviews with staff and patrons at the Faulker County Library, Central Arkansas Library System, and Hendrix College’s Olin C. Bailey Library. The interviews primarily focus on how local libraries are currently navigating challenges such as funding threats and book bans, while also remaining safe places for community members. The final products of the mural and the video will be unveiled during Hendrix’s Alumni Weekend this fall, which is also the start of National Library Week. Project supervisor is Britt A. Murphy, Bailey Library director.
Using Picture Word Interference to Study Cascading Activation in Language Production
Lamis Vattoth ’28, a psychology major and Murphy Scholar from Lisle, Ill., will take phonetic measurements of Hendrix College students during controlled speech tasks in order to explore how information moves across the three steps of language: lexical selection, phonological planning, and articulatory implementation. Through this project, Vattoth will develop research skills as well as the study of the biological and behavioral roots of languages. Project supervisor is Dr. Sarah Irons, assistant professor of psychology.
Visiting John Green’s Archives
Seven students along with Dr. Ellie Black ’18, visiting assistant professor of English-creative writing, will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss. to tour author John Green’s archives held in the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi. This trip is in collaboration with Black’s Mellon Foundation-funded health humanities course, John Green and the Illness Narrative. Students will learn about archival research and study archival materials encompassing Green’s work through 2012 when his New York Times-bestselling novel “The Fault in Our Stars” was published.
About the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation
The Hendrix-Murphy Foundation Programs in Literature and Language were founded in 1978 by a gift from Charles H. Murphy, Jr., former CEO of Murphy Oil Corporation, in memory of his mother Bertie Wilson Murphy. Their mission is to enhance and enrich the study of literature and language at Hendrix College. For more information, visit hendrixmurphy.org.
About Hendrix College
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 45 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at hendrix.edu.