The Making of a Leader: Franklin D. Murphy the Kansas Years

About the Author: Nancy Kellogg Harper earned an M.S. in journalism and a Ph.D in educational leadership at the University of Kansas. Her research on Franklin D. Murphy, M.D., includes two chapters in Medicine on the Kansas Prairie, published by Anthem Media to celebrate 50 years of the University of Kansas School of Medicine Rural Health Program, which was launched by Murphy as dean. An award-winning teacher, Harper most enjoys teaching semester-abroad sections of Humanities and Western Civilization. Praise for Franklin D. Murphy: "I most earnestly believe that we should constantly seek out relatively young men to occupy the high positions of government. I can name a dozen men in the 40 to 50-year group-including yourself-to whom I would gladly entrust the duties of President." -PRESIDENT DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER TO FRANKLIN D. MURPHY "(Murphy) has brought to every task the integrity of a man unafraid to battle for his convictions, unashamed of laughter or tears. He has infused among students, faculty, alumni, and citizens, the warmth of his spirit. He leaves with the heartfelt gratitude and best wishes of all who have known him, and are better for it."- UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CITATION HONORING CHANCELLOR FRANKLIN D. MURPHY "I don't know when I have enjoyed a speech or appreciated its contents any more than I did yours the other night at the birthday dinner. I hope you will send me a copy of it and that you will autograph the original and allow me to place it in the archives of the library when it is built."- PRESIDENT HARRY S TRUMAN TO FRANKLIN D. MURPHY