“Mike played a vitally important role in this community for a number of years, and what he did for the college was extraordinary,” said MSCC President Dr. Glen Fenter. “Mike, both personally and professionally, set a great example of philanthropy in our community, and it would be difficult to find someone who hasn’t been touched by his generosity.”
“While this endowment doesn’t begin to demonstrate our full appreciation for all Mike did for the College, we anticipate that it will keep his memory and spirit alive for generations to come.”
Murphy family members said the endowment will keep Mike’s community spirit active.
“During his 20 years as president of Fidelity National Bank, Mike took every opportunity to make a difference in our community. This endowment will enable Mike to continue serving the residents of Crittenden County for many years.”
Patti Coleman, MSCC Director of Advancement, said Murphy helped her grow personally and professionally as they worked together to strengthen the college.
“Mike always provided invaluable advice and direction to me in my service to the college,” Coleman said. “As someone who was relatively new to fundraising, I greatly appreciated his willingness to share his overall knowledge and expertise with me.”
“Mike was always a great supporter of the College’s mission to provide access to higher education to everyone in our community, and he helped us in more ways than I can count.”
Murphy accepted an appointment to the Foundation Board in 1999, and he took over as chair in 2005. He served three terms in that capacity before “retiring” from the board. Soon after, the Foundation membership voted unanimously to name him “Chairman Emeritus” for his past and future contributions to the effort.
He considered the honorary appointment very special.
“I’m overwhelmed by this; it’s a tremendous honor to me,” Murphy said. “I’m just glad to have been so much a part of what has happened at the college, and I’ll continue to be there to help in any way I can. It’s been an honor, and it’s been fun.”
Murphy said he treasured his time on the MSCC Foundation Board.
“I’ve been involved in several things in this community, but serving on the Foundation Board has been the most important to me because of the need we have for education in this area,” he said.
“Without this college, there would be so many who would not be able to continue their education after high school.”
“What the college has done and is doing now is going to pay off in the future, and the future is what we’re all about. We’ve come a long way and have already made a significant impact. That’s only going to grow.”
A native of Gould, Ark., Murphy graduated from high school in 1966 at the age of 16 and enrolled at Arkansas A&M College (now known as the University of Arkansas at Monticello). He graduated cum laude in 1970 with a degree in political science and then began his forty-year banking career as an assistant cashier at First State Bank of Gould.
He later accepted a job at First Federal Savings in Dumas and worked there from 1972 to 1983. Mike and his family then moved to Pine Bluff where he served as Senior Vice President for FirstSouth Bank for five years.
Fidelity National Bank of West Memphis offered him the president’s position in 1988, and Mike and his family relocated to Crittenden County. After 22 years at the helm of Fidelity, Murphy retired as President, CEO, and Chairman but remained as a director of the bank.
Throughout his career, Murphy continued his education at every opportunity. He attended Financial Management School at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and also completed finance and executive management programs at Ohio State University, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University.
Murphy was heavily involved in Arkansas and Mid-South Banking and served as two terms as chairman of the Barret School of Banking. He also served as chairman of the Arkansas Government Relations Committee of the American Bankers Association. The Arkansas Bankers Association and the Arkansas Community Bankers elected him to their respective Board of Directors, reflecting his skill and knowledge as a banker.
Active in and supportive of his community, he was a member of First United Methodist Church of West Memphis and served on the Board of Trustees as well as the Finance and Building Committee. He earned recognition as the West Memphis Citizen of the Year as well as Dumas Man of the Year.
In addition to being a Razorback football fanatic, Murphy loved baseball in general and the New York Yankees in particular. He collected Yankee memorabilia and attended baseball spring training camps. Along with friends, Mike went to the final game played in the old Yankee Stadium.
To contribute to the Patrick Michael Murphy Endowment for Business, please contact Coleman at (870) 733-6764 or pdcoleman@midsouthcc.edu.
The Mid-South Community College Foundation also offers direct on-line giving through the College’s website, www.midsouthcc.edu (click on Foundation icon or the MSCC Portal, MSCC Foundation, and Give Now).
The MSCC Foundation, Inc. is an independent charitable organization created to raise and oversee funds donated to MSCC in support of the college’s efforts to meet the needs of Crittenden County. It operates under a tax exempt 501(c)(3) status.
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