March 4, 2014

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (March 4, 2014) - William Murphy has always donated to Fayetteville State University, but when he started working, he wanted to do more. And he did. At halftime of the televised basketball game between FSU and Winston-Salem State University February 15, Murphy and his wife of 39 years, Glennette, made a donation to FSU for $55,000. The money will be used for scholarships in the FSU Athletics Department.

"We must support our HBCUs because of the financial pressures they are having and because they are the ones that educate a majority of African Americans," said Murphy, a medical doctor. "Athletics, in my opinion, create more school spirit than any other department because sporting events generate lot of excitement. We love FSU and are fully committed."

A medical doctor, Murphy credits FSU with giving him his start athletically and professionally. He played baseball for two years at FSU from 1966-68. It was during that time when he heard about an exchange program with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That exchange program played a crucial role in his decision to enter the medical field.

"I only attended FSU for two years. FSU had an exchange program with UNC and the program allowed a student to go to UNC and transfer back to FSU for their senior year," Murphy said. "I decided that since I chose medicine as a possible career, that I would stay at UNC because they had a medical school. I applied and was accepted."

Murphy currently lives in Raleigh. He grew up in Godwin, a small town about 20 miles north of Fayetteville. He and his wife have two children, Alecia Foulke and William Murphy II. They also have two grandchildren and a son-in-law, James Foulke.

"The donation from the Murphys comes during an important time at FSU," said FSU Chancellor James A. Anderson. "The university is in the midst of a $25 million campaign to raise money for scholarships. One million dollars is earmarked for support for student-athletes."

Dr. Edward McLean, Director of Athletics at FSU, said he hopes other alumni and supporters throughout the community will come forward and make a commitment to student-athletes who, like other students, need financial resources to compete in today's marketplace.

"We truly appreciate Dr. Murphy's commitment to athletics. He believes in our student-athletes and understands what it takes to move this program forward," McLean said. "He, like so many of our Bronco faithful, proudly supports champions."

Founded in 1867, FSU is the second-oldest public institution in North Carolina. It offers nearly 60 degrees in the arts, sciences, business, and education at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. It serves a student body of more than 6,000 students and has a faculty and staff of approximately 900.