 Bob and Jim Murphy watched their dad work tirelessly to be able to send them to Loyola Academy. Their lived experience planted the seed of supporting talented young people with financial support to attend the school of their choice. In honor of their dad, Daniel Murphy, Bob and Jim, along with their family and friends, launched the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF) beginning with four Murphy Scholars in 1989. For the last 35 years, DMSF has unlocked the potential of over 2,300 young people in Chicago. Our Scholars come from every corner of the city and each embodies resilience, leadership and dedication - qualities that make our Scholar community so special. When we meet our Scholars during the interview process, they are 8th graders eager to take on the rigor and challenge of high school. The people we see them transform into in a four-year period and what they accomplish is remarkable! By providing access to an excellent education and supporting them on their journey, we are transforming the lives of our Scholars, families and communities. Our growth as an organization is a testament to the efficacy of our mission and the great need that continues to exist in our city. Today we support 501 Murphy Scholars who are currently enrolled in our 87 partner high schools. Recognizing the unique needs of our Scholars, we combine tuition scholarships with specialized programs to give our Scholars the academic and personal support to ensure their success in high school, college and beyond. Our model works and Murphy Scholars are thriving: 100% graduate from high school and are accepted into four-year colleges and 87% have graduated or are on track to graduate within six years!
35 years of Murphy Scholars would not have been possible without our partners and supporters, including our Scholars and families, partner schools, staff, Board Members, donors, volunteers, and feeder schools. Every person that has ever shown up for DMSF has helped us get to our 35th year and we’re thrilled to be able to continue our work of unlocking educational opportunities for talented young people! As we embark on our 35th year, we honor our past and are planning for a bright future, one filled with endless opportunities for Murphy Scholars. We remain focused on expanding our reach to serve more young people, deepening our financial and programmatic support of our Scholars, and supporting our ever-growing Murphy Alumni base to ensure their exposure to a variety of careers and matriculation to successful careers.
Embarking on a journey that spans continents and generations, Yan Krasov's narrative is a testament to the transformative power of education and mentorship. Originally hailing from the Soviet Union, Yan found his roots in West Rogers Park, setting the stage for an extraordinary trajectory. As a distinguished member of the Murphy Scholar Class of 1998, Yan's educational odyssey began at Ida Crown Jewish Academy, laying the groundwork for a future marked by success and service. Yan's connection with DMSF deepened through the Summer Caddie Program, propelling him to receive the prestigious Evans Scholarship to Northwestern University.
Currently serving as a Research Analyst at William Blair, Yan not only excels in his professional endeavors but also pays it forward to the Murphy Scholars community. Engaging with the Board of Directors and leading as Chair of the Alumni Committee, Yan dedicates his time to support and mentor younger Scholars. His commitment extends to providing invaluable career exposure opportunities and internships at William Blair, embodying the ethos of giving back that defines the Murphy Scholars community. In this blog post, we delve into Yan's journey, his impactful contributions, and the enduring legacy he is creating within the DMSF family. The DMSF team got to sit with Yan to talk about his experience and the life he’s built. Here’s what he had to say:
Q: Looking back at that time in your life when you were an eighth grader, what motivated you to apply for the Murphy Scholarship? Why was receiving a good education important to you?
A: My parents instilled the value of education in me from an early age as a way to become successful in life. And back then, having just moved from the former Soviet Union, now Ukraine, despite lacking the financial and cultural resources, they were very motivated to find an environment for me to be able to get a great education. And upon finding out about the Murphy Scholarship, I was very motivated to earn it, to attend Ida Crown, and thus not having to relocate to the suburbs or go to local public school, which had a 30% graduation rate and didn't have the academic support and the rigor that Ida Crown had.
Q: What makes the Murphy Alumni network great?
A: To this day, the Murphy alums I caddied with or met through the programming are my friends. They're now serving on the DMSF Board with me and are working to help the next generation of Murphy Scholars and Alumni succeed. I think at this point, the hundreds of alumni who've graduated from high school and college and achieved success in every career field imaginable, can now serve as role models for the current and future generations of Murphy Scholars. Having someone come from a similar background and achieve success is a powerful motivator and instills self-belief into those who are often the first in their families to attend college or pursue a career in a new field. Having somebody who comes from a similar background can be an inspiration.
"I would encourage supporters, to bring more friends, colleagues, and professional acquaintances to the organization for them to understand how full of potential Murphy Scholars are, how deserving of opportunities they are, and how they make for great students, employees, and ultimately leaders of the organizations they will go on to be a part of in their life."
Q: What DMSF programs have you participated in and how have you benefitted from them?
A: Caddying. I love caddying. It is a great job opportunity that keeps me active and teaches me many lessons. But it also potentially carves a pathway to the Chick Evans Scholarship. Q: What have you learned about yourself during high school? How do you think you've grown from freshman year to the person you are today? A: During high school I have been able to learn more about my self, my virtues, and most importantly my passions. I have learned that I am a leader and passionate about learning and exploring new things. From my freshman year it’s now i have definitely developed a strong sense of perseverance. Even when things got hard, I knew I was trying my best.
Q: What are you looking forward to after graduation?
A: I am excited to see how my life will roll out, and of course college!!! I know wherever I go I am meant to be, and will help me become the best version of myself. Q: Looking ahead, what do you see yourself doing as a career? What fields are you interested in? A: I am interested in Civil Engineering. I hope to explore all concentrations but I know I love creating and math. Q: To you, what does it mean to be a Murphy Scholar? Being a Murphy Scholar means being able to reach my dreams. Not being contained to my background and being able to break barriers and open doors for myself. |
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