Former Student Cites Dedication in Nominating John Murry for National Award

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John Murry, second from left, is pictured with other award winners from the University of Arkansas including Chancellor G. David Gearhart, third from left.

John Murry, University of Arkansas associate professor of higher education, received the Outstanding Faculty Member Award for Region IV-West of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators last month.

The award is presented to the Region IV-West faculty member who has contributed significantly to graduate higher education and to the preparation of student affairs professionals. The award may qualify the regional recipient for the Robert H. Shaffer Award for Academic Excellence as a Graduate Faculty Member at the national level.

Trisha Blau, assistant director in the office of student activities at the U of A, nominated Murry for the award. He was one of her professors when she was in the higher education master’s program in the College of Education and Health Professions, and she said he continues to be a mentor for her. She calls upon his expertise in law and policy in her work with registered student organizations on campus.

In addition to making his classes thought-provoking, interesting and challenging, Murry is devoted to the success of his students, Blau said. She has also seen his dedication through the graduate students who now work for her and go to Murry for academic advising.

Murry joined the faculty of the College of Education and Health Professions in 1994. He serves as coordinator of the higher education program.

He earned a doctorate in higher education administration from the college in 1993 and a law degree from the University of Arkansas in 1984. He earned two additional U of A degrees: a master’s degree in marketing and management in 1982 and a bachelor’s degree in finance and banking in 1977. He has also taught at Henderson State University and Mesa State College.

Murry formerly served as associate dean for administration in the College of Education and Health Professions and in the capacity of interim department head and graduate coordinator for the former department of educational leadership, counseling and foundations.

Murry has published more than 30 articles relating to issues in higher education and co-edited two books: Staff Governance and Institutional Policy Formation with Michael T. Miller published by Information Age Publishing and New Faculty: A Practical Guide for Academic Beginners with Christopher Lucas published by Palgrave.

Murry was one of several faculty members, staff members and students from U of A who were honored at the regional NASPA meeting in November in Hot Springs.