The Impact of Your Giving

Murphy Scholars are at the center of all the work we do. Thank you for being a partner in our mission to support Chicago’s youth and helping Murphy Scholars gain access to an excellent education. The impact of your generosity helps bring out the best of our Scholars, and allows them to lead the lives they envision for themselves.

​During our recent year-end efforts, we highlighted Murphy Scholars who are currently in high school and Alumni who have gone on to follow their dreams and pursue amazing paths. Please enjoy a recap of our 2022 featured Murphy Scholars and Alumni below:

​Highlights from the 2022-2023 school year:
● 50% of Murphy Scholars obtained a GPA of 3.5–4.0
● 100% of Murphy Scholars who applied were accepted to four-year colleges
● 67% of the Class of 2022 are First Generation in their families, the first to go to college
● 87% of Scholars have graduated/on track to graduate with a Bachelor's degree

---

Year One of the Murphy Scholar Experience

 Our Murphy Scholar Class of 2026 have taken their freshman year head on. We were able to connect with some of the freshmen to learn about their values, their excitement for joining the Murphy community and why receiving a good education is important to them. What started off as a conversation learning about what Truth and Aurora are most excited about for their high school experience ended up becoming dialogue on why they work so hard. We look forward to continuing to follow them on their individual journeys at our partner schools. Click their photos to hear from Truth and Aurora.

---

Alumni Leading Amazing Lives Beyond High School

At DMSF, we are reminded of the impact being a Murphy Scholar has on the lives of the young people experiencing our program. And it goes beyond our 500 current Scholars. DMSF has a strong and growing network of 2,200 Alumni, many of whom have stayed connected with DMSF throughout the years and have shared the amazing lives they are living after graduating from high school. With generous supporters like you, we are able to provide scholarships, programming and critical academic advising that enables our Scholars to thrive beyond high school. Just look at Nogosa, Tia, and Shawn below - each of them have served as amazing examples of what the power of a rigorous education can give someone. 

---

Succeeding in College
While at Berkshire Academy, Nogosa Atekha experienced unexpected challenges. Graduating from grammar school as his class’s salutatorian, he didn’t expect to stumble during his first few years in high school. Nogosa credits DMSF for helping him understand and identify why he was faltering. The staff advised him how to manage his schedule, set goals and use the school's support system and with hard work, he graduated with a 4.3 GPA. Nogosa currently attends Occidental College in Los Angeles. After completing his first year, he participated as an intern with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in Nigeria. His training was in research intelligence, where he presented weekly to company leadership on assignments related to global and domestic news affecting Nigeria’s petroleum and gas. As Nogosa takes on his sophomore year, he’s excited to be on the Men’s Track and Field team while maintaining a very busy academic schedule with his philosophy and economics classes. ​

Coming from Chicago’s north side to Berkshire Academy, located in the mountains of Western Massachusetts, I encountered a community lacking diversity. It was a culture shock for me! Despite that, attending boarding school was one of the best decisions I ever made.

---

Growing in her Career
​​​Growing up, Tia Reid’s parents instilled in her the importance of education. Tia vividly recalls her parents repeatedly telling her “education places you in rooms that you otherwise would not have access to.” She attended and excelled at Queen of Peace High School as a Murphy Scholar. She maintained a high GPA and was very active in extracurricular activities and held several other leadership positions. She also took it upon herself to join the DMSF Mentorship Program, where she made a valuable connection. After Queen of Peace, Tia attended Clark Atlanta University on a Track & Field scholarship, graduating with a degree in accounting and finance. Currently, Tia is an Associate in Fund Lending at BMO Financial Group. She attributes her excitement for this career thanks to the guidance her mentor gave her. Tia also serves as the current DMSF Associate Board Secretary on the leadership team.

My parents made it very clear that education was the pathway to becoming successful and making a nice life for yourself.

---

Impacting the Generations After
​Shawn grew up within the foster care system of her community. Bright eyed and academically astute, she became of Murphy Scholar at Lourdes High School, currently known as De La Salle. She went on to the University of Notre Dame for her bachelor’s degree and a few years later received her MBA from Loyola University Chicago. Currently, she is the Director of Affiliate Relations–Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the American Osteopathic Association. Shawn believes her work to be gratifying, but her most important role is that of being a mother to her 12-year-old, Elise. As a mom, she has been able to provide Elise with experiences she didn’t have as a child and she credits this ability to being a Murphy Scholar. Elise attends a private school, speaks Mandarin, is a student of Asian studies, and dreams of attending college like her mom.

I joined the Full Circle Society to assist Murphy Scholars facing similar challenges that I experienced. I am incredibly grateful for the tuition assistance and support DMSF provided me and being part of this giving circle is my way of paying it forward for future generations.