10:07 a.m., Nov. 23, 2009----Frank Murray, H. Rodney Sharp Professor in the School of Education and in the Department of Psychology at the University of Delaware, is one of the newest Laureate members of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education. Murray received this honor in an induction ceremony on Oct. 30.

THIS STORY

E-mail

Print

Delicious

Digg this

Facebook

“I was surprised and very pleased to have been selected by the other Laureates for the award,” explained Murray. “It was gratifying to be part of a group that had so many members whose work I have admired over the years.”

The Laureate Chapter honors men and women who have made a significant contribution in the field of education. It is limited to only 60 living people.

The Kappa Delta Pi Laureate Chapter began in 1924 with the first Laureate, John Dewey. Since then, Albert Einstein, Margaret Mead, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jean Piaget, and George Washington Carver also became Laureate members of KDP.

Murray says he's flattered to be considered in the same category as some of these scholars. “Since so much of my own research stemmed from Piaget's theory there was a special satisfaction in knowing that he had once been a Laureate,” he said. “As my own views of education have been shaped by John Dewey's thinking, I was happy to find out that he was the first Laureate. I'm not sure how I would have felt if the Laureates tended to be scholars who I think got it wrong, but happily, that was not the case.”

During the induction ceremony, Murray received a medal and a plaque from the president of the chapter. Members of Kappa Delta Pi also described what they saw as Murray's greatest professional accomplishments.

“Murray has been a leader in the development of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), currently serving as the first president,” they described. “Through TEAC, he is shifting how the profession views national accreditation of teacher education. As more schools of education seek TEAC accreditation, faculty members are assuming responsibility for identifying valid and reliable data to support their programming. His impact already is evident.”

Throughout his career, Murray has served in various capacities on editorial boards of several journals. He has also held many leadership roles in organizations including the Holmes Partnership, the National Board, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the Council of Higher Education Accreditation, and the Project 30 Alliance, as well as a consortium of research universities engaged in educational reform.

“Whenever one's peers, or those you hold in great regard, single you out for special comments of praise, it gives one confidence to stay the course, as it were, and not be worn out as much by one's critics,” said Murray. “And then there is the pleasure this gives members of my family who have never been entirely too sure about why I spend the time on things I spend it on.”

Originally, Murray didn't realize this honor was only limited to 60 living members. But as the exclusivity of it sinks in, he says he's extremely honored to be part of such a select group.

Article by Cassandra Kramer