Press Releases
Tessa Murphy Honored in Springfield As Saint Xavier University's Student Laureate
SXU community aids Murphy’s ‘constant pursuit of interests’
CHICAGO (Nov. 18, 2003) – Saint Xavier University senior Tessa Murphy has been named a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
Murphy is the team founder of the SXU Cougar Cheerleading Team. She has also served as Director of Public Relations for the University’s Student Activities Board. Currently a student supervisor of Saint Xavier’s Shannon Center, Murphy also is a member of the University’s French Club and serves as a peer mentor for incoming students.
Murphy connected her distinguished honor to both the wealth of opportunities and supportive environment offered are Saint Xavier. “I was completely honored to be nominated,” she said. “I was surprised to win because Saint Xavier has so many talented students. But I think I succeed because I work hard and I am surrounded by so many talented people.”
Each year, an outstanding senior from each of the four-year degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded the Student Lincoln Academy of Medallion and thereby becomes a Student Laureate.
Honored for their overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities, Student Laureates represent their institutions at one of the most distinguished gatherings in the State, which Murphy attended on Nov. 1.
In Springfield, Murphy was able to meet Student Laureates from around the state.
A ceremony was held in the old Capitol Building, where leading state politicians addressed the honorees. Murphy used her $150 award money to stay in the capital and explored the sights.
Murphy possesses a 3.83 GPA and a 4.00 GPA in her major of organizational communication. However, Student Laureates are chosen based not only on academic standing, but also on their demonstration of leadership.
When Murphy began her studies at Saint Xavier, the University had no cheerleading team.
“I was encouraged to start a team,” she said. “Now, it’s nice to know that the team will still exist once I graduate.”
She also values her work with the Student Activities Board, on which she served for two years. As Director of Public Relations for the organization, Murphy worked to coordinate multi-cultural, philosophical, social and cultural events.
“Dealing with an organization as broad as that, I was able to meet so many people from the faculty and administration and from other organizations,” she said.
Because the Saint Xavier community is so close-knit, “people begin to trust in you, so you’re able to accomplish more,” Murphy said.
In her work with the Shannon Center, Murphy was entrusted to be event coordinator for the Cougar 5K Run/Walk, an annual event that coincides with Saint Xavier’s Homecoming festivities.
Murphy secured sponsors, recruited and trained volunteers, publicized the event, developed and maintained a Web site for race participants’ registration and supervised activities on race day, which drew more than 500 participants.
After graduation, Murphy plans to pursue a master’s degree, setting her sights on a major of either multicultural studies or organizational communications, she said. For a career, her current focus is to become a college professor, but she has also considered work as a lobbyist.