Huntingdon College has announced a $1 million gift aimed at tackling Alabama's teacher shortage in rural communities.

Last week, President Anthony Leigh unveiled the contribution from Dr. Michael Murphy and Dr. Maureen Kendrick Murphy, a 1978 Huntingdon alumna. According to a news release, the donation will establish the Dr. Michael Derrington Murphy and Dr. Maureen Kendrick Murphy Rural Teacher Education Scholarship Program, offering full scholarships to students with a passion for teaching in underserved areas.

"Dr. Maureen Murphy and Dr. Michael Murphy are exemplary teachers. Together they have contributed over 100 years to the advancement of chemistry, over 100 years of inspiring students, over 100 years of genuine interest and care for their students, over 100 years of going the second mile in service to their current and former students, and over 100 years of representing all that is good about the profession of education," Leigh said in the release. "Today we come together to celebrate them, their lives of service, their heart for people which is an extension of their faith, and their desire to make a transformational impact on the lives of future Huntingdon teacher education students who will go forth to apply the wisdom they gain here into classrooms across Alabama."

The program is designed to provide financial support to high-achieving, high-need students from rural Alabama. Recipients will have a commitment to return to their hometowns or other rural areas to teach, addressing the critical shortage of educators in those regions.

"Alabama's teacher shortage is well documented, and the challenge of identifying high quality teachers in rural parts of Alabama is even more exacerbated," Leigh said. "Through the Murphy family gift, Huntingdon College will be able to identify students of promise from rural parts of Alabama, bring them to Huntingdon, give them a tremendous educational experience, and then deploy them back to their home community to lead the next generation of students in their rural hometown."

The Murphys, who together have more than 100 years of experience in chemistry education, emphasized the importance of supporting rural communities.

"Maureen and I are delighted to be able to provide these funds to promote education in Alabama," Dr. Murphy said. "We believe that investing in the people who live and work in our rural communities is an essential part of how we create communities that lift all lives. We are hopeful that our gift will encourage others to support the preparation of our future teachers in Alabama."

The scholarship program is set to launch in fall 2025. Huntingdon College, founded in 1854, has a long-standing commitment to preparing educators who serve communities across the state.

For more information about the college and its programs, visit www.huntingdon.edu.