The Power of Your Giving

Thank you for generously supporting the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF) in the 2023 calendar year.  Your partnership this year has helped unlock educational opportunities for over 500 Murphy Scholars, empowering them to live the lives they aspire to lead.

​As we enter into a milestone year for DMSF, we want to highlight several Scholars and Alumni that have shared their stories with us.  Thanks to you, we are able to celebrate over 2,300 Alumni in our community that get to achieve their dreams.

​Murphy Scholar Class of 2023 Successes
● 3.5 Cumulative Core GPA
● 100% of Murphy Scholars who applied were accepted to four-year colleges
● 68% of the Class of 2022 are First Generation in their families, the first to go to college
● 71% of Scholars eligible for the Pell Grant
● $4M+ Total grants and scholarships awarded 

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A Dedicated Scholar and a Proud Alum

Featured in DMSF's annual year end appeal, Salome and Yan shared their Murphy Scholar journey with us. Click below to hear their stories about the transformative power of education and meaningful connections fostered within the DMSF community.

Hear from Salome

Hear from Yan

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35 Years of Access to Excellence

Celebrating 35 years at DMSF, we reflect on the profound impact that becoming a Murphy Scholar has on the lives of the young individuals immersed in our program.  With your generous support, we continue to provide scholarships, innovative programming, and essential academic advising, allowing our Scholars to not only succeed in high school but to thrive beyond.

Our Alumni showcased below exemplify the potential that unfolds when education is coupled with unwavering support.

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Meet Melissa
From the Deerfield Academy Class of 2001 cohort, Melissa Abad went on to pursue a career in Sociology and currently works at Stanford University as a Senior Research Scholar. Here's what Melissa has to say:​

Being sent to Deerfield through DMSF completely changed my world view and definition of success. I went from thinking I wasn't good enough to realizing that the education system (and later labor market system) is broken. I quickly learned the importance of having access to resources and how important that was to providing me more options. Moving from being grateful to be in a well resourced space to developing a nuanced understanding of well resourced spaces (as tools to leverage vs. the ideal type/life goals)

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Meet Adia
From the Milton Academy Class​​​ of 2002 cohort, Adia Bey went on to pursue a career in STEM. She has worked as a Geospatial Analyst for the United Nations for several years and is currently  working for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as an Assistance Research Scientist. Here's what Adia shared: 

For me, being a Murphy Scholar means being rooted in reality and down-to-earth, while also being inspired and supported to reach for the stars and pursue your dreams. DMSF enabled me to pursue my education at the highest caliber possible. This was life changing. 

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Meet Brian (Yaw)
From the La Lumiere School Class of 2003 cohort, Brian (Yaw) Anyinam went on to pursue a career in Economics and today, is a Vice President at JPMorgan Chase Commercial Bank. Here's what Brian shared: 

Receiving the DMSF scholarship was a significant turning point for me. It validated my hard work and dedication, but more importantly, it opened doors that I might not have otherwise considered. It taught me the value of seizing opportunities and believing in my capabilities. The scholarship wasn't just financial aid; it was a vote of confidence that pushed me to strive for more and explore areas I might not have ventured into otherwise. I learned that I'm capable of achieving great things when given the chance and that perseverance pays off in unexpected ways.

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Meet Vincent
From the Latin School of Chicago Class of 1999 cohort comes Vincent Waller. Today, Vincent is the Human Resources Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chief Judge for the Circuit Court of Cook County. Here's what Vincent shared: 

I'm proud to be part of a network of high achieving minorities who overcame the odds. [Being a Murphy Scholar] was the only chance I had to achieve economic mobility. It helped me meet other similarly situated high achievers and helped me get to where I am today.