Murdock scholarships to benefit Upper Iowa University adult learners and traditional Campus students

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FAYETTE, IA (02/14/2018) Upper Iowa University (UIU) has announced the establishment of the Dennis and Marlene Murdock Leadership and Adult Learner scholarship funds. The scholarships honoring UIU Board chairman Dennis Murdock and his wife, Marlene, have provided over $90,000 to support two new endowed scholarships at Upper Iowa University.

"It has been my great honor to work with Dennis over the past several years," Upper Iowa University President William R. Duffy said. "While the entire University greatly appreciates the leadership in establishing these two scholarships, we also value the vision Dennis shares for our University and our students. The establishment of these two endowed scholarships is certainly a meaningful way to recognize dedicated students from both our Fayette Campus and center locations."

The Murdocks established the Leadership endowed scholarship fund to be awarded to a rising junior or senior student pursuing an advanced degree at UIU's Fayette Campus. Recipients will be nominated by a staff or faculty member in recognition of leadership attributes demonstrated by service to UIU clubs and organizations, Student Government Association, residence life, tutoring, and/or other extracurricular campus involvement.

"The establishment of the Leadership Scholarship is the direct result of my service as a UIU Board of Trustee and my most recent meetings with our student representatives," Dennis Murdock said. "I have been very impressed with each of the students and the capacity for leadership that they possess and demonstrate."

In addition, the Adult Learner endowed scholarship fund will be awarded to adult learners at UIU's center locations. Recipients will be nominated by a staff or faculty member in recognition of their ability to overcome obstacles in pursuit of an education and selected by a small committee of staff and faculty who primarily serve adult learners.

"I had an eye toward helping adult learners at our centers because so many of them exhibit tremendous aptitude and resolve to earn a higher education," Dennis Murdock said. "Despite the hard work and sacrifices they make to obtain a degree, there exists a need for more scholarship opportunities at our centers. I wanted to assure that this scholarship would be available in addition to any other financial awards that the adult recipient receives from any of our great center locations."

Murdock served a 49-year career at the Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) before retiring as its chief executive in 2017. Murdock expressed his appreciation to his former CIPCO colleagues for leading a fundraising effort on his behalf to help establish the Murdock scholarship endowments.

Endowed funds restricted to the purpose of supporting scholarships or programming now make up more than $9.5 million of UIU's overall endowment. These endowments provide additional scholarship and programming support to UIU students, enhancing the overall student experience and contributing to UIU graduates leaving with student debt well below the state and national average.

Approximately 150 scholarships are awarded each spring as part of the annual UIU Scholarships and Awards Banquet. A full list of endowed scholarships is available at uiu.edu. For more information about how to establish or contribute to an endowed scholarship or program, please contact the UIU Office of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Development at alumni@uiu.edu or (563) 425-5388.

About Upper Iowa University: Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs to about 5,800 students-nationally and internationally-at its Fayette campus, 25 U.S. education locations, as well as locations in Malaysia and Hong Kong. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and self-paced degree programs. With a focus on developing leaders and lifelong learners, UIU provides dual enrollment programs for high school students as well as continuing education and professional development opportunities for learners of any age. For more information, visit uiu.edu.