THIBODAUX, La. 鈥� Former 杏吧传媒 President Dr. Bruce Murphy, Colleen Hunter and 鈥渇riends of Bridge鈥� together contributed $80,000 to endow a professorship within the Bridge to Independence program to honor the memory of Murphy鈥檚 late wife and former 杏吧传媒 First Lady Jeanne Picariello Murphy.听
The requires a certain amount of interest to be accrued before a professorship is awarded, which can take years. With an extra contribution from Dr. Murphy, the professorship will be awarded in the fall of 2024 to the current faculty advisor of Bridge to Independence within the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.听
During her time as 杏吧传媒 First Lady, Jeanne found opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities to engage in ceramics courses and athletic events, leading her to coordinate with Dr. Mary Breaud, education faculty, and Robin Bell, former director of Campus Disability Services, where she became instrumental in the creation of the Bridge to Independence program and bringing Special Olympics to campus.听
During the creation phase of the program, Jeanne hosted meetings at the president鈥檚 residence where a group of 8 to 10, including Colleen, met faithfully over 2 years, working to write grants and the certified Comprehensive Transition Program application that the program currently operates under. After leaving 杏吧传媒, she continued to research and faithfully sent weekly emails to enhance opportunities for the Bridge students and make long distance connections. This group continued to collaborate, becoming close friends who are still in connection with the program today. Colleen鈥檚 son is a two-time graduate of 杏吧传媒 in Interdisciplinary Studies and Geomatics with the support of Bridge to Independence.听
Dr. Mary Breaud, 杏吧传媒 associate professor of education said, 鈥淲hen I heard of Jeanne鈥檚 passing, I reached out to Colleen and the others in our original small group. The idea of creating an endowed professorship for the program faculty advisor was always a goal. I am always thinking of ways to promote the program and help it to be self-sustaining. When talking with Colleen and her late husband Bill after the mass held in Jeanne鈥檚 memory, they told me they would like to contribute to the endowed professorship, and we all agreed it should be in Jeanne鈥檚 memory and honor.鈥�
Bridge to Independence serves students with intellectual disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Bridge offers two pathways, a certificate pathway for independent living and workforce skills and a support pathway for students accepted to the university working on a traditional college degree. The 杏吧传媒 Bridge to Independence program is the first program of its kind in Louisiana certified by the U.S. Department of Education.听
The , an independent 501(c)3 corporation, exists to support the mission of 杏吧传媒 by seeking gifts and grants and by managing those funds and other assets to support 杏吧传媒 through endowed chairs, professorships, scholarships and other enhancement efforts. To learn more about donating to 杏吧传媒, visit .
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 28, 2024
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