April 24, 2026 – Thirty-six
first-year Hendrix College students selected for the Murphy Scholars Program
were formally inducted at a ceremony held the evening of March 31
Cabe Theatre.
The Murphy
Scholars Program in Literature and Language provides an opportunity for
students, after going through a selective application process, from all majors,
during their sophomore, junior, and senior years at Hendrix College, to deepen
their knowledge of literature and language through a variety of enhanced
experiences such as study-travel, research, internships, and more.
Hendrix College
President Dr. Karen Petersen called the induction ceremony one of Hendrix
College’s “most distinctive and enduring traditions of intellectual life.”
Petersen went on
to say in her remarks, “Through the Hendrix-Murphy Program, students discover
something essential about the liberal arts: that language and literature do
more than tell stories. At Hendrix, we believe the study of language and
literature is not confined to one department or one career path. It teaches
students how to listen carefully, think critically, communicate clearly, and
imagine possibilities beyond the present moment.”
This year’s
cohort includes students majoring in twelve unique areas of study, including three
who are double-majoring. They hail from eight different states: Arkansas,
California, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas; and
one student is from Chattogram, Bangladesh. Twenty-five percent of the 2029
cohort are first-generation college students.
Dr. Tyrone
Jaeger, interim Hendrix-Murphy Foundation director, professor of English-creative
writing, and creative writing program director spoke words of challenge to the
new Scholars. “Here [at Hendrix College], we place great value on the power of storytelling and the
rich possibilities in being multi-lingual, and the power of a strong community
focused on intellectual and creative pursuits.”
Jaeger encouraged them to use all the Hendrix-Murphy
resources at their disposal over the next three years to build deep rooted
connections in communities near and far.
The new cohort of
Murphy Scholars also heard from current Murphy Scholar Michelle Leyva `26, a
politics and interdisciplinary studies double major from Little Rock. She spoke
of how the Scholars program has become “the bridge between my academic
interests and my passion for social change.”
Leyva encouraged
the incoming Scholars to “seek
out experiences that scare you a little bit.... take advantage of the
opportunities provided to you and remember that this journey is yours.”
The Class of 2029
Murphy Scholars in Literature and Language are:
- Cory Breshears, undeclared
major from Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Sophia Bridgers, politics
major from Batesville, Arkansas
- Mary Buhler, politics
major from Memphis, Tennessee
- River Clair, biology
and English double major from Russellville, Arkansas
- Zaina Daaboul, undeclared
major from Little Rock, Arkansas
- Al-Fadl Fadah, biochemistry/molecular
biology major from Pine Bluff, Arkansas
- Shayla Freeman, English-creative
writing major from Little Rock, Arkansas
- TC George,
psychology major from Houston, Texas
- Ryan Golden, undeclared
major from Little Rock, Arkansas
- Preston Hardister,
undeclared major from Cabot, Arkansas
- Daniel
Hernandez-Duarte, environmental studies major from San Diego, California
- Ashley Hutto, psychology
major from New Braunfels, Texas
- Jamil Jackson, undeclared
major from Little Rock, Arkansas
- Layne Joheim, undeclared
major from Little Rock, Arkansas
- Jaylen Johnson,
health science major from Denison, Texas
- Royal Kirchner, English
major from Yellville, Arkansas
- Adrianna Lewis, undeclared
major from Springdale, Arkansas
- Vidhi Malhan, biochemistry/molecular
biology and study of the mind double major from Sherwood, Arkansas
- Megan Manuel, politics
major from Oberlin, Louisiana
- Momthahina Karim
Meem, computer science major from Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Luna Morales,
undeclared major from Little Rock, Arkansas
- Bella Pflieger, health
science major from Sparks, Nevada
- Landon Queen, undeclared
major from Little Rock, Arkansas
- Arianne Ricaurte,
undeclared major from Maumelle, Arkansas
- Kai Rogers, art:
studio art major from Little Rock, Arkansas
- Tully Roensch,
biology major from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Maryam Sayyah, undeclared
major from Little Rock, Arkansas
- Elise Singleton, undeclared
major from Little Rock, Arkansas
- Elysia Singleton,
biology major from Pine Bluff, Arkansas
- Sienna Smith
Beckham, sociology major from Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Rowan Stewart, undeclared
major from Sherwood, Arkansas
- June Stawser, English-creative
writing and environmental studies double major from Prairie Grove, Arkansas
- Reese Taylor, health
science major from Conway, Arkansas
- Lucas Tennyson, history
major from Columbia, Missouri
- Katherine Wright,
undeclared major from Clarksville, Arkansas
- Sam Zettner, undeclared
major from Austin, Texas
All Murphy Scholars will graduate with
distinction, having completed an Oxford-style tutorial course in language and
literature and at least three of the Murphy Scholar Program’s approved
co-curricular experiences in literature and language.
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: 40 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.
“… Through engagement that links the
classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice,
and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives
of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” –Hendrix College Statement of
Purpose