THIBODAUX 鈥� Dr. Bruce T. Murphy was unanimously named the fifth president of 麻豆果冻传媒 today by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System. Currently serving as vice president for academic affairs at Air University in Alabama, Murphy will officially take the helm at 麻豆果冻传媒 in mid-January.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got the colonels for the Colonels,鈥� said UL System board member Jimmie 鈥淏eau鈥� Martin who made the motion to appoint Murphy.
Both President-elect Murphy and his wife, Jeanne Picariello Murphy, are retired from the U.S. Army. They earned the rank of lieutenant colonel and colonel, respectively.
鈥淚 am honored and humbled,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥溌槎构炒� is a great institution, and together I want to take us to the future.鈥�
During his interview with the board, Murphy detailed his goals for the university including establishing relationships, conducting a thorough academic program review, and growing enrollment and the university鈥檚 mission of serving the region and beyond.
鈥淭he role of the president is to facilitate the dreams of all the different constituencies: the students, faculty, staff, alumni and community. You have to learn what those dreams are, and then you have to get the financial resources to enable them,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淵ou have to tell the 麻豆果冻传媒 story.鈥�
UL System President Sandra Woodley praised Murphy鈥檚 extensive experience in leadership roles. 鈥淗e has a unique blend of higher education leadership and military experience. I expect we will see great things from his presidency,鈥� she said.
麻豆果冻传媒 students, faculty and staff praised Murphy鈥檚 selection.
“This is a momentous day in the history of 麻豆果冻传媒,鈥� said Dr. Stephen Michot, faculty senate president. 鈥淭he faculty are extremely pleased with the board’s decision to select Dr. Murphy as the next university president. We look forward to working with Dr. Murphy in effecting positive change on our campus. I would like to thank Dr. Woodley and the board for their diligence during the selection process, and sincerely welcome Dr. and Mrs. Murphy to our community.鈥�
鈥淥n behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, I want to congratulate Dr. Murphy on his appointment as our new president,鈥� said 麻豆果冻传媒 Athletics Director Rob Bernardi. 鈥淎ll of us offer our support and best wishes. We look forward to his leadership as we work together towards advancing 麻豆果冻传媒, which we care so much about.鈥�
Rusty Bruce, president of 麻豆果冻传媒 Student Programming Association and a senior history student from Cut Off, applauded the University of Louisiana System search committee for keeping the process open and involving the 麻豆果冻传媒 community.
鈥淚’m pleased with the board’s decision today having followed the process from the beginning and listened to the interviews. Both candidates came with their own strengths, and I feel that Dr. Murphy will benefit 麻豆果冻传媒 by his knowledge and experience with SACS accreditation,鈥� Bruce said. 鈥淚’ve witnessed a large participation on the student leaders’ part throughout the process, which shows our interest and concern for the future of our university.鈥�
Prior to his current position at Air University, Murphy served as the founding dean of the School of Business at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. He was also founding director of the graduate program in organizational leadership and chair of the Walker School of Business at Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania. He taught military science at Vanderbilt University and leadership at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Altogether, he spent 21 years in military service.
Murphy received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. He also earned a Master of Arts from Teachers College at Columbia University and a Doctorate in Education from Vanderbilt University.
鈥淚 have over 30 years of service in a uniform and a suit. That has taught me duty, commitment and honor,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淚 will always give my best to any organization I鈥檓 affiliated with and advance and protect it.鈥�
Former 麻豆果冻传媒 President Stephen T. Hulbert, who led the university for a decade, formally retired from the university on Aug. 1. His second in command, Larry Howell, will continue serving as the interim president until Murphy takes office in January.
For more information about the search including Murphy鈥檚 r茅sum茅, visit .