Michael Murphy of Evergreen Park takes the oath of office April 30 as a member of the Moraine Valley Community College Board of Trustees from Judge Linzey Jones while Susan Murphy, board secretary, looks on.
As a new member of the Moraine Valley Community College Board of Trustees, Michael Murphy, of Evergreen Park, couldn’t be happier. He now can contribute to the school that has meant a great deal to him.
Murphy and Kimberly Hastings of Orland Hills took the oath of office on April 30 to begin serving six-year terms as trustees.
“The time I spent as a student at Moraine Valley was a formative time in my life. Moraine Valley holds a special place in my heart. When I heard about the opportunity for an open seat on the Board of Trustees, I felt I needed to put my name forward,” he said. “I can attribute my future in the field of engineering to the time I spent in the Moraine Valley classroom.”
He looks forward to contributing to what he describes as the “continued upward trajectory” of the college. “I have a background in the design and construction of buildings and have served on many executive boards for student and professional organizations. As an architect and engineer I am a problem solver and think my skill set will translate well to helping the Board make decisions,” said Murphy, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies and a master’s degree in Architecture with a focus in Structural Engineering from the University of Illinois. “I hope to contribute to the continued success of Moraine Valley and ensure that the board acts in the best interests of the students, faculty and staff, and community members when making decisions. MVCC is a valued and constantly improving asset. Those who know of it are very proud to have it in our backyard, but I hope to attract more community members, students, and educators to all that MVCC has to offer.”
Murphy attended Moraine Valley in the 2009-10 academic year, to take math courses to help him pursue a career in engineering. “Coming from a large Big-Ten campus, I didn’t know what to expect. In my experience, the educators at Moraine Valley are the best I have come across in my education. Their care and attention to their students is second to none. Also, although I was older than many of the new students, I felt at home. I met students of varying ages and found Moraine had enough to make students of all ages feel fulfilled and prepared for success,” he said.
Even though he’s been away from Moraine Valley for a few years, he’s excited to see the continued growth. “It’s impressive to watch! When I was young, Moraine was a second option for students. Or as someone told me, a last option. Now I think of it as a first option. Moraine, while being able to accommodate students of all ages, is a great place for energetic high school graduates before heading to a four-year college. The college has competitive tuition—especially compared to the state schools in the region—and outstanding educators. I believe the future of Moraine Valley is very bright and will continue its upward climb as one of the best community colleges in the state and country,” Murphy said.
After two meetings as a trustee, Murphy remains excited. “I am a lifelong member of our community. We are lucky to live in a great place with amazing people and great schools. I am very proud of our community and want to help it grow and prosper,” he said.
For more information, call Mark Horstmeyer, director of College and Community Relations, at (708) 974-5275, or e-mail: horstmeyer@morainevalley.edu.
