Murphy earns Niehus Award

The Plainfield School District Foundation for Excellence is pleased to announce that Mr. John C. Murphy, Science Chair at Plainfield High School Central Campus, is the 2004 WALTER G. and JUANITA F. NIEHUS AWARD recipient.

Co-workers Nicole Walker and Ginger Brest, nominated Mr. Murphy.   On the nomination forms, Nancy and Ginger outlined the attributes that make John Murphy so special.

• Spent 30 years working to benefit students, staff and the community.

• A mentor to all the teachers in his department.

• He has, with enthusiasm and foresight, developed curriculum that has linked Biology to life skills and current scientific issues.

• He brings a plethora of information and knowledge to the classroom.

• He combines his extensive knowledge with a sense of humor and the patience to reach teenagers.

• The students are inspired by his ‘true life’ stories of adventures to tropical areas in search of frogs and snakes.

• He puts his students and department members first.

• He is a supportive department chair and tremendous leader.

The Foundation is most pleased to add John Murphy’s name to a truly outstanding list of previous Niehus award winners.

 The award and honorarium will bepresented to Mr. Murphy on May 24, 2004, at the Board of Education meeting held at the Administration Center.

Mr. Murphy is the nineteenth recipient of the Niehus Award, which has annually been presented since 1986.  The Niehus Award is bestowed in honor of Mr. Walter G. Niehus, former Superintendent of the Plainfield School District #202.