The University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service has announced the establishment of the Jim and Marie Murphy Endowed Scholarship for Graduate Studies. The scholarship was recently funded at the minimum required amount—$25,000—through the generous support of the Murphys, the County Officials Association of Tennessee (COAT), other county associations and many other individual donors.
Having served for several years as the executive director of COAT, Marie Murphy felt the need to create an opportunity to help relatives of that organization and the UT County Technical Advisory Service (CTAS) achieve their educational dreams.
“Jim and I both received our doctorate of jurisprudence degrees from UT, and knowing that there is not enough done for graduate students financially, we want to help others who are seeking to better themselves with an advanced degree,” she said. “We are glad we could establish this scholarship to help our COAT and CTAS family.”
Jim Murphy serves as the vice chair for The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees. He is an attorney with the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP.
The scholarship will assist students seeking graduate degrees from UT for many years to come.
“We are very grateful for the Murphys’ interest in helping others achieve their educational goals,” said Dr. Mary Jinks, vice president of public service. “I am confident that future recipients of their scholarship will be grateful as well.”
For more information on how you can contribute to the scholarship or to create a similar opportunity to assist others, contact IPS Development Director Paul Bowman at (865) 974-6587 or paul.bowman@tennessee.edu.