By Mike Gincel, contributing writer
We have over 100 faculty members here on the Saint Leo campus and many of them love to see students excel both in and out of the classroom. But there is one teacher that everyone knows that has stepped up and become more involved with students outside the classroom. Dr. Ryan Murphy.
Known to many students on this campus as “Murph”, he came to Saint Leo University three years ago and is currently a professor of Economics and teaches a section of SLU 100. What really is impressive is the amount of work that Dr. Murphy puts outside of the classroom. Dr. Murphy currently serves as a committee member on the SERVE (Students Engaging in Rewarding Volunteer Experiences), plays intramural volleyball, softball and basketball and is the new faculty advisor of the Greek fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon, of which he is an honorary member. Murphy credits his involvement with his mentor, Mr. Chuck Fisk, a fellow professor.
“Chuck really was a mentor to me when I first got involved with SERVE. He showed me how he connects with the students. Chuck led me to SERVE and was a former advisor of it and recommended me for the position. He was also a former advisor of TKE as well,” Dr. Murphy says.
Murphy feels really connected to his new leadership position with Tau Kappa Epsilon.
“I absolutely love it. I just started last week as the new advisor, and I am a little nervous about my boys. I know they will hopefully make good decisions, but as an advisor, you get nervous of underage drinking or with hazing, when it comes to a Greek fraternity.”
But the students he mentors within TKE have nothing but praise for their new advisor.
“Dr. Murphy embodies the Saint Leo core value of community,” says Will Johansen, senior and member of Tau Kappa Epsilon.
But that’s not all that Dr. Murphy does. He is also an active fan of the Saint Leo Lions and always makes it a family affair.
“I love coming to the games. I always bring my family and my little girl, Paisley, loves it. She is with the cheerleaders and sitting with them, she gets done there and plays with Fritz and. Plus it is a free outing, I mean, I don’t have to go pay to the movies, I can get in a game for free.” says Murphy.
Murphy first got involved with the Athletics when several of his students were involved with sports and wanted him to check out the games. Over time, Murphy became more involved with Athletics. As of this issue, he is currently in first place for points when it comes to the ROAR Rewards program.
“I absolutely love the new program. I have been to every home game since it started and maybe missed one volleyball game. Plus, the students see that you are there as a faculty member and that you do care outside the classroom,” Murphy says.
Murphy does understand that there is a fine point between being the educator and the friend when it comes to the student’s life.
“I feel you must give respect in order to get respect in the classroom. First and foremost, I am an educator and I have to do my job and to keep the students in line,” Murphy states.
When asked what advice he would give to other faculty members on being more connected with their students, the answer was simple, in Murphy’s mind.
“I know it is hard to get everything done, but just take an hour or two, go watch a game or catch an event on-campus. It’s just that simple,” Murphy says.
When looking back at a retrospective standpoint, Murphy can’t help but beam with pride about the family he has built of students and faculty.
“I feel that I have brothers and sisters at Saint Leo. Faculty members like Chuck Fisk, to the faculty members, to the students, is a community and it is something that I take very seriously.”
Dr. Ryan Murphy really enjoys being part of our Saint Leo community and has taken time and effort to ensure that his students and other students know that the faculty does have an investment in our extra-curricular activities and life outside the classroom. When it comes to Saint Leo University, Dr. Murphy makes it a priority to ensure that students get the most well-rounded experience in college, both in and out of the classroom by being the supporter, the teammate and the professor.
