Wake Forest University Humanities Institute receives $1 million donation
Winston-Salem, N.C. – Feb. 22, 2013
Alumnus becomes only person under 35 to give a seven-figure gift
Wake Forest University graduate Wade Murphy (’00) is donating $1 million to support the Humanities Institute, extending the reach and impact of humanities and the liberal arts.
Murphy is the youngest person in the University’s history to make such a large gift.
Wade Murphy, Executive Vice President of Marmik Oil
Murphy, the executive vice president of Marmik Oil in El Dorado, Ark., graduated in 2000 with a major in history. He earned an MBA from American University in 2007. He has served as a member of the Wake Forest Young Alumni Development Board and currently serves on the Wake Forest College Board of Visitors.
“Wake Forest is and always has been a place that teaches students how to identify and pursue that which is good, beautiful and true,” said Murphy. “One of the prevailing reasons I want to support the Humanities Institute is that it will go a long way to ensuring that these ideals are carried forward.”
The Humanities Institute was launched in October of 2010 to foster interdisciplinary and collaborative scholarship and explore creative ways to use knowledge to solve real-world problems.
“Wade’s generous support underscores the critical role that the humanities play in the education and preparation of today's students,” said Mary Foskett, professor of religion and director of the Humanities Institute. “The humanities are rooted in intellectual traditions that empower students to engage the world. Today’s graduates must be prepared to interpret complex information, understand diverse cultures and create solutions that serve the common good. Wake Forest provides a rigorous liberal arts education, where the humanities are central, and where faculty and students confront big questions in innovative ways.”
Wade Murphy ('00) and Mary Foskett, professor of religion and director of the Humanities Institute
With Murphy’s support, the Institute will continue to build partnerships that contribute to the common good.
One example of this kind of work is Humanities Matters, a program funding “The Imagination Project: Artists of the Holocaust” — a collaboration among professors and students that aims to educate audiences about anti-Semitism and promote understanding, tolerance and respect.
In December 2010, the National Endowment for the Humanities offered the Institute a challenge grant of $500,000 with Wake Forest raising $1.5 million by July 2015 to establish an endowment that will help sustain the Humanities Institute and its mission for years to come. With Murphy’s gift, the Institute has exceeded the challenge amount more than two years earlier than required.
“Not only has Wade given us the needed funds, he has made it clear that Wake Forest University values the liberal arts,” said President Nathan O. Hatch. “It is comforting to know that the next generation of Wake Forest stewards is stepping forward in leadership and acting definitively toward preserving the very best of the Wake Forest education.”
Based on his experience as a Wake Forest student, Murphy wants to affirm the central place the humanities have played in shaping his life.
“We cannot expect to continue to build a Wake Forest for future generations without appreciating and honoring the Wake Forest that was provided for us by those who embodied the Pro Humanitate model,” said Murphy. “I fervently believe that the Humanities Institute will help us carry that spirit forward for many generations of Wake Foresters to come.”
About Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University combines the best traditions of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a large research university. Founded in 1834, the school is located in Winston-Salem, N.C. The University’s graduate school of arts and sciences, divinity school, and nationally ranked schools of law, medicine and business enrich our intellectual environment. Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu.
Photo credit: Ken Bennett / Wake Forest University. A single headshot is available upon request.
Read more
EL DORADO, AR -- January 21, 2013
Marmik Oil is pleased to announce that Alison Abson will join the company as a Finance Specialist. Abson comes to Marmik with a wealth of experience working in finance and accounting for a number of Arkansas state agencies. At Marmik she will handle critical logistics between the company’s accounting and land offices.
Most recently, Abson managed a staff of seven for the Arkansas Forestry Commission where she served as a Field Audit Supervisor. In that role she was responsible for oversight of the monetary portion of fourteen federal grants totaling more than $80 million. She also helped prepare financial reports and both the annual and biennial budgets for the agency.
“Alison is uniquely qualified to help provide important financial management and guidance. She understands accounting procedures and how they relate to the array of land rights and land leasing issues that are commonplace in energy exploration.”
Prior to her time with the Forestry Commission, Abson worked in finance for the State Department of Human Resources and Department of Health.
Read more"Working for Marmik is an enormous opportunity for me to leverage my finance skills to help the company produce more efficient and effective energy solutions. This company’s work can have a positive impact on the lives and businesses of so many across the country and I look forward to helping them make a difference."
MARMIK OIL PITCHES IN TO HELP UNITED WAY
Oil Exploration Firm’s Employees Pledge Resources for Union County United Way
EL DORADO, AR -- December 15, 2012
As part of its continuing corporate commitment to improving lives and communities through service, Marmik Oil is proud to announce that all of its headquarters employees will participate in the United Way of Union County’s 2012-2013 annual campaign. The Marmik effort will result in thousands of dollars in donations from company workers to support the important work of the United Way and its partner agencies.
"Here in Union County and across America, the United Way helps provide support and assistance for programs that help meet the pressing needs of a wide range of people. From the important work of the Boys and Girls Clubs to the Red Cross to the Single Parent Scholarship Fund and more, Union County’s United Way is making sure effective organizations can continue to help those who need assistance."
The United Way of Union County’s mission is to increase the organized capacity of people who care for one another. The organization distributes private and public contributions to organizations that meet high standards for effectiveness and address pressing community challenges.
Read more“At Marmik, we’re working to create a better world harnessing energy and innovation. The United Way is doing the same to ensure people can live better. It is a testament to the hearts of our headquarters employees that they all have made pledges to support the United Way - and the community this company has been proud to call home for more than 60 years,”
MARMIK OIL NAMES JOHN B. EDDY VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
John Eddy To Manage Daily Operations, Strategic Development
EL DORADO, AR -- July 1, 2012 
Marmik Oil is pleased to announce that John B. Eddy has joined the company to serve as its Vice President of Operations.
In his new role, Eddy will oversee the day-to-day operations of the entire company including managing existing oil & gas wells, legacy assets and the strategic development of future exploration. A former Bush Administration official, Eddy comes to Marmik with more than a decade of senior level management experience in the public, private and political sectors.
He is replacing veteran Marmik executive John McFarland, who is retiring after four decades of service to the company.
“John Eddy is a dynamic and forward-thinking leader with a record of managing high-profile and complex business environments. As we plan for an exciting future of change and expansion here at Marmik, we are fortunate to have John’s perspective, passion and expertise.”
In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, Eddy will manage Marmik’s strategic planning and infrastructure development process by leading the company’s acquisition, land, finance and geology departments in its Denver, CO and El Dorado, AR offices.
“I am thrilled to be part of the Marmik team. This company has a long history of bringing innovative solutions to businesses, communities and individuals that meet their energy needs with greater efficiency while respecting the natural environment. I look forward to advancing those values and that important mission.”
A native of Arizona, Eddy most recently served as a Partner at Meridian, a national public affairs firm. While at Meridian, he managed all aspects of integrated media and public relations campaigns for non-profit, corporate, and political clients including Ford, Exxon, Wal-Mart, the American Petroleum Institute, and Members of Congress. Prior to Meridian, he was Managing Director of Concord Capital.
Eddy served as a political appointee in the Presidential Administration of George W. Bush where he was the Deputy White House Liaison for the Department of Justice. He also directed the Republican National Committee’s National Victory Program from 2005-2007 where he supervised the deployment of more than $130 million in funds. John is married to El Dorado native Tracy Jucas Eddy, who currently works in US Senator John Boozman’s El Dorado office.
Read more