Murphy, McCormack Earn Bumpers Alumni Honors

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Bernie Murphy and Ashley McCormack

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Bernie Murphy and Ashley McCormack have been named outstanding alumnus award winners for 2014 by the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

Murphy is the recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award, and McCormack is the recipient of the Young Alumni Award.

Murphy is president of Jones-Hamilton Co., an employee-owned chemical business in Walbridge, Ohio, with markets in food, pet food, poultry, steel, water treatment, oil and gas. He worked internationally for seven years, supporting the development and marketing of animal health products around the world. Much of his career has been related to the poultry industry, managing businesses related to nutrition, primary genetics, processing, food safety and environmental quality.

He was involved in the development and ongoing support of the Jones-Hamilton Co. Environmental Research Poultry Facility at the University of Delaware.

Murphy worked with students this year as the Bumpers College’s first Executive in Residence.

Murphy was a charter member of the U of A Poultry Science Alumni Group. His interest in promoting opportunities in the poultry industry and establishing a network for students led him to develop travel grants for students to attend annual poultry science professional meetings.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Maryland in 1975. He earned his master’s degree in poultry science from the U of A in 1978, and his doctorate in poultry products and meat science from Iowa State University in 1986.

Murphy is the guest speaker for this year’s Bumpers College commencement.

McCormack began her career at Dillard’s in the Product Development Department where she was associate and technical designer for private label sportswear and outerwear lines. Since 2004, she has worked as a designer for Kenneth Cole outerwear through G-III Apparel Group in New York City. Her projects include designing the Sundance Film Festival volunteer jackets, which, since 2009 have been donated on behalf of Kenneth Cole to volunteers to wear during the festival. In 2012, she launched a line of custom bikinis for fitness competitors under the Dyson Ashe brand.

Her designs and presentations have been used by Urban Outfitters, Sears, Wet Seal, K-Mart, Walmart and Express.

McCormack is former president of the U of A’s Apparel Merchandising Club. She earned her bachelor’s degree in apparel studies in 2003. She lives in Norwalk, Conn., speaks at fitness workshops across New York City and is a volunteer instructor at New England School for Fashion Design, working with students in fashion illustration and sewing.

Recommendations for the Young Alumni Award are submitted to the Bumpers College dean’s office and forwarded to the awards committee. Recommendations can be made by the Alumni Association, faculty, staff and friends of the Bumpers College.

Both Murphy and McCormack will be honored at a reception prior to commencement.