In his second year at Colorado College, Benjamin Murphy ’25 is already putting his business, economics, and society major to good use. And his work is getting noticed. Campus Compact recently named Murphy as one of 154 student civic leaders from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico to the 2023 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows.
“I feel grateful for all the people I worked with this year who played a big role in my personal growth as well as the success of projects I was involved with in Colorado Springs,” says Murphy.
The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes students who stand out for their commitment to creating positive change in communities locally and around the world. Murphy was nominated by Colorado College President L. Song Richardson, who nominates a student every year as a Campus Compact member.
“I hope to explore how business and economic growth can coexist with greater equality and benefit the greater good,” Murphy wrote in his Personal Statement on his nomination form. “My hope to make a bigger impact on both Colorado Springs and the nation revolves around the idea that business requires a larger purpose than just making a profit, and this purpose for me is minimizing the negative impacts of development.”
Over the last few months, Murphy has worked with a collegiate consulting consortium, Quad Innovation Alliance, and El Paso County on ways to reimagine parking garages. Murphy proposed creating a public mural on a garage structure and creating events in a garage, such as a drive-through art exhibit to support local artists.
“His research considered ways to increase efficiency, increase revenue growth, and catalyze growth in a historically blighted area and also looked at opportunities to transform parking garages into community spaces,” Richardson wrote on the nomination form.
It was Murphy’s comprehensive research and eagerness to make a difference that earned him praise from the Campus Compact group. Through the fellowship, Campus Compact will provide Murphy with a year of learning and networking opportunities that emphasize personal, professional, and civic growth. He will participate in numerous virtual training and networking opportunities to help provide him with the skills and connections he needs to create large-scale positive change.
“I am a firm believer in the importance of having role models and surrounding yourself with people who inspire you to be better and work harder,” says Murphy. “This is a reason why I chose to come to Colorado College, and I believe the Newman Civic Fellowship provides an opportunity to meet other students who I can learn from. I want to make an impact on and off campus, and the Newman Civic Fellowship is a perfect opportunity to help me do that.”
The cornerstone of the fellowship is the Annual Convening of Newman Civic Fellows, which offers intensive in-person skill-building and networking over the course of two days. The fellowship also provides fellows with pathways to apply for exclusive scholarship and post-graduate opportunities.
Murphy credits his experience at CC for his scholastic growth thus far.
“Colorado College played a key role in my personal growth and who I am today. The professors here have pushed me to think critically and have helped improve my writing skills,” he says. “I believe the Block Plan does a great job of preparing students for careers. I think a lot of my success in my career path comes from the time management skills and fast-paced learning the Block Plan teaches students.”