Blindness Can't Stop C.W. Post Salutatorian
Terrence E. Murphy of
Mineola, NY (right) is Salutatorian of the Class of 1998. Here, Murphy
joins Dr. Joseph Shenker, C.W. Post Provost. Murphy is also pictured with
his seeing-eye dog, Knight.
Despite a long list of personal accomplishments, including overcoming
the permanent loss of his eyesight, C.W. Post health, physical education
and movement science major Terrence Murphy insists he is most proud of
his family and their unrelenting support during his education.
The youngest of William and Theresa Murphy's five sons, Terrence Murphy
recalls how his parents fostered a close-knit family, emphasizing respect
and selflessness and often postponing their own personal desires to satisfy
those of their children.
On Sunday, May 10, Murphy, who is legally blind, will once again make
his family proud when he is honored as Salutatorian of the C.W. Post Class
of 1998. Commencement ceremonies will begin at 9:40 a.m. on the Great Lawn
of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville. Murphy
ranks second in a class of 607.
"My family has provided much-needed love and encouragement as I
strove toward my personal goals, and each of them has contributed to the
foundation on which my success has been built," said Murphy.
His string of successes began in 1988 when the Mineola resident landed
his dream job as an equipment manager for the New York Islanders. But in
1992, his ongoing battle with diabetes left him permanently blind. The
New York State Commission for the Blind has been instrumental in helping
Murphy overcome this obstacle by providing various services such as his
attendance at Helen Keller Services for the Blind, where he received vocational
and mobility training and focused on the future, enrolling at Nassau Community
College. Assisted by his guide dog, Knight, Murphy earned an associate's
degree.
Several other local agencies also made it possible for Murphy to realize
his dream of a college education, such as the Mineola Lions Club, which
awarded him an Endowment Scholarship. In addition, his guide dog was a
gift from the Smithtown Guide Dog Foundation, sponsored by the Seaford
Knights of Columbus and a donation from the Professional Hockey Athletic
Trainers Society. Murphy was also the beneficiary of a fundraiser held
by the Islanders Alumni Association, headed by Bobby Nystrom and Clark
Gilles. A golf outing, hosted by the two former hockey players, included
the raffling of autographed hockey paraphernalia and other valuable prizes
to raise money to buy Murphy a talking computer. The event raised enough
money to buy the computer as well as an optical scanner, which helps Murphy
read paperwork and other college handouts.
After conquering the first hurdle of an associate's degree, Murphy continued
his education at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, where
he aggressively pursued a bachelor's degree in health education, maintaining
a perfect 4.0 grade point average. During his time at C.W. Post, Murphy
was elected president of the Health, Physical Education and Movement Science
Department's Majors Club, participated in the peer counseling program,
was inducted into the RHO Chapter of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society,
won the C.W. Post Council of Overseers Endowed Scholarship Award and was
a finalist in the 1997-98 Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges
and Universities.
Currently a student-teacher at Carle Place High School and Middle School,
Murphy has developed innovative ways to overcome his disability in the
classroom. "One of my first days at Carle Place, I did an activity
during a lesson on emotions to help me learn the students' names,"
he explained. "I asked the students to come up with an emotion that
begins with the first letter of their name. For instance, 'Sally is sad.'
I also had them sit in the same seats every day, so the repetition enabled
me to memorize their placement in the classroom."
"In most classrooms, when the student has a question, the teacher
asks that they not speak out," he continued. "But in my classroom,
I asked them to speak. I asked them to raise their hands and say my name.
For example, 'Mr. Murphy, I have a question' or 'Mr. Murphy, I know the
answer.'"
After graduation, Murphy plans to continue his education, pursuing a
master's degree. He hopes to gain employment as a health educator at the
primary or secondary grade level and ultimately have a career as a professor
of health education and human sexuality at a college or university. But
for the time being, he is enjoying the success of his graduation from C.W.
Post.
"My graduation from C.W. Post has provoked a spectrum of emotions,"
said Murphy. "I am excited about my accomplishments and future in
health education, yet saddened by the thought of leaving the students,
faculty and support staff of C.W. Post, all of whom have become my second
family."
For more information call the C.W. Post Public
Relations Office at (516) 299-2333 or e-mail cwpostpr@aurora.liunet.edu
or send mail to: Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus, 720 Northern
Blvd., Brookville, New York 11548-1300.
