Fourth-year scholar-athlete receives Lincoln Academy Medallion

Fourth-year Steven Murphy is one of 51 top Illinois college seniors who received a Student Lincoln Academy Medallion from the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Gov. George Ryan and his wife, Lura Lynn, bestowed the award on Murphy in the Old State Capitol in Springfield on Saturday, Nov. 13.

The Lincoln Academy honors students each year for their overall excellence in academic and extracurricular activities while attending college.

“I am happy and deeply honored to become a member of the Lincoln Academy,” said Murphy, who plans to pursue a career in management consulting and equity research after he graduates from the University next June with a bachelor’s degree in public policy and economics.

Murphy has played guard for Chicago’s varsity basketball team for four years. A member of Chicago’s Order of the C, Murphy helped that organization run a training camp on Chicago’s South Side for Special Olympics athletes in basketball, soccer, running and jumping.

Murphy also is a member of the student-run Organization of Black Students. Most recently, he began tutoring a junior high school student through the Blue Gargoyle, a Hyde Park community-service organization.

“Steven is a true scholar-athlete, a student who meets the demands of the rigorous University of Chicago education and the commitment of playing varsity basketball,” said Varsity Basketball Coach Mike McGrath. “And he is someone you can always count on for his steadfast dedication and contribution to any endeavor, on or off the court.”