Give to the Michael Murphy Memorial Scholarship

Established by family to honor the life of this long-time Seminole State professor, the Michael Murphy Memorial Scholarship provides financial assistance to students with an interest in humanities.

Born in Ireland, Michael was educated at St. Kieran's College and was ordained in 1949 into the Catholic priesthood at St. Mary's Cathedral in Kilkenny. He left Ireland to serve the church in the United States and became an American citizen in 1955. Three years later, in 1958, he decided to serve his newly adopted country by joining the U.S. Navy. Michael was a member of the Chaplain Corps, ultimately achieving the rank of captain. His service included deployment aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard, during the Vietnam War. Michael often remarked that he was honored to be able to use his spiritual gifts to counsel and comfort the servicemen of that era.

 In 1980, Michael retired and moved to Central Florida where he began his second career as an instructor at Seminole Community College (now Seminole State), serving as a beloved and admired professor for the next 32 years.

Called "the gem of SCC," Michael was referred to by his students as a brilliant, well-traveled teacher who taught from experience, rather than from a textbook. He was looking forward to picking up his familiar briefcase and returning to classes in world religions, humanities and history when illness struck. 

The Michael Murphy Memorial Non-Endowed Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who are enrolled or have completed two courses in social science, with one being humanities. Students must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students will be required to provide a response to the question "How do humanities and history relate to the world today?"

Success Stories

Vladimir Maximov

Born in a small town near Siberia, Russia, Vladimir came to the United States many years ago where he discovered the path to a better life is through higher education. He loves learning and is maintaining a 4.0 GPA while pursuing a degree in Information Systems Technology. 

 "With this scholarship my financial burdens have been eased, allowing me to fulfill my education aspirations and enroll in additional classes. I hope that in the future when I become a professional, I will also be able to help students who are experiencing financial difficulties." - Vladimir Maximov

Priscilla N. Rivera Cortes

Priscilla's family moved from Puerto Rico in search of a better life.  She took classes to become fluent in English, determined to overcome the language barrier. She began working at a local retail store where she rose from floor employee to supervisor.  Proud of her accomplishment, she decided to pursue a degree in business and information management at Seminole State.  She looks forward to incorporating all she learned in humanities to help others better understand the human experience and build a more equitable and just society.

"Receiving this scholarship is more than just financial assistance; it is a testament to the values and legacy of Michael Murphy. I am committed to upholding the principles of integrity, leadership and service that this scholarship represents. Your belief in my potential fuels my determination to excel academically and make a positive impact in my community."- Priscilla N. Rivera Cortes

Additional Information

Thank you to our donors who support this scholarship:

• John Gyllin
• Robert and Darby Hold
• Mark and Carol Kaufman
• Dr. E. Ann McGee
• Mr. and Mrs. Scott Meltz
• Ms. Barbara Newton
• Lori Sweat
• Jan Williams
• Laura Williams
• Michael Williams
• Stephen Williams