the Magazine, Volume 2 Issue 2 - The College of Coastal Georgia

The summer replacement became a full-time job.I worked a 40-hour week and stayed in school.”“Journalism just never turned me loose – ormaybe I didn’t turn journalism loose. It was agreat start to a career.”Murphy never thought of journalism as a job.“It always seemed like fun that I got paid to do.Living in Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco, andBaltimore as a journalist, editor and publisher,and working in Washington, DC, at NationalGeographic – those were great adventures.”An avid golfer, he joined the executive committeeof the U.S. Golf Association in 1989, served as vicepresident of the USGA in 1992, chairman of theChampionship Committee in 1993, and presidentin 1994. He co-chaired the World AmateurGolf Federation in 1994 and captained the U.S.team for the 1998 World Amateur Championship inSantiago, Chile.Murphy recently returned to college to experiencebeing a student again. He took Dr. Hepburn’s public affairscourse surveying health care issues (“Was that everenlightening!” he commented) and during spring term,he sat in on Dr. Jim Fullerton’s leadership class (LEAD3100), noting how rapidly the students were learningwhile working in groups.This fall, he hopes to work with students he met inthose classes, such as George Horton, an intern withCongressman Jack Kingston, and student-athlete SheaAble, a member of the women’s golf team.Horton, who will graduate in December with his BBA,recognized Murphy’s name from the column he regularlywrites for The Brunswick News. “But I didn’t expect tobe going to leadership class with him, much less askinghim for advice about what to do after graduation,”Horton laughed.“Reg is charismatic. He’s a great listener as well as a goodstoryteller,” Horton continued. “I’m learning that listeningis an important aspect of success.”Horton used the example of a jigsaw puzzle whendescribing his interactions with Murphy. “He sees thebig picture, like the cover on the box, so he can suggestwhere the different pieces might fit together.” Hortonadmitted he isn’t sure yet of a post-graduation career,but said he’s feeling more secure about the directionhe’s heading.He also values Murphy’s take on ethical decisionmaking. “I suppose it’s in the spotlight right now becauseof elections, but I appreciate his perspective of ethics as aseries of daily choices we make to do what is right.”Senior Shea Able got to knowMurphy in the classroom andon the golf course.“This is a man who personallycovered the Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘Ihave a dream…’ speech. Before Reg,I had never met anyone who was actuallythere,” Horton stressed. “Thisis the businessman who turnedNational Geographic around, cuttingstaff to save the publication.When you have the opportunity totalk to someone who has made hardchoices and personally dealt withsetbacks, it goes a long way towardsputting things into an objectiveperspective instead of feeling likeyou’re at the bottom of a deep hole.”Senior Shea Able, who is also abusiness major, first met Murphyoutside the classroom, when he invited the Marinerswomen’s golf team to play with the Mercer team atFrederica during fall 2010. She caught up with him againin Dr. Fullerton’s class during spring 2012.“At first, I was intimidated,” Able admitted. “I was veryimpressed with his accomplishments. By the end of thesemester, I was sharing a table with him – there were alot of group discussions by table – and I always wanted tohear his thoughts. I was blown away by his humbleness,his knowledge, and his awesome work ethic.”“I love his attitude. Through his actions and words, hemakes it clear that success is not the most important thingin life, but how you help others is. I feel the same wayand try to live by his example. The opportunity to haveReg Murphy interacting with students on campus is anamazing advantage for our school.”Horton summed it up, “This is a man who truly cares,who makes time for students. I’m lucky to have himas a mentor and I know he is going to be a solid executivein-residence.”“Executives-in-residence bring energy and uniqueperspective to campus by working with students to explorelife paths and clarify career opportunities and by bringingtheir life’s experiences to classroom discussions,” Dr. SkipMounts, Dean of the School of Business and Public Affairs,said. “Their insights are invaluable, particularly as theymentor students. These relationships and connectionsprovide additional meaning to the campus experience forbusiness students, often impacting them for a lifetime.Clearly, executives will be valued members of the faculty.”The Executive-in-Residence is appointed by the Deanof the School of Business and Public Affairs for renewableone-semester terms. uCollege of Coastal Georgia – the Magazine 17