From Peace Corps to SECC, Bell librarian Murphy has varied experiences
By Joe Beason
Southeast Community College has a new library director at the Bell County campus in Middlesboro. He's Kevin Murphy, who came to SECC from Versailles, Ky.
His educational background comes from Ohio University (where he obtained a master's degree in international affairs), and from University of Kentucky (master's degree in library science). Murphy also has taught workshops on Internet and worked with the state Department of Rehabilitation in Frankfort, Ky.
One of his life's great adventures included a tour as a Peace Corps volunteer where he was located in Cearra Leone, Africa. Murphy spent two years there and commented about this being an experience that influenced his life.
He also worked four years with the University Press at UK. He said his work experience with the University Press was very helpful for his library career. Murphy also worked with Winrock International in Arkansas, where he dealt with proposals in international affairs. Murphy, who grew up in Louisville, Ky., presently has a home in Versailles, where he spends weekends with his wife. He also talked about how the tri-state area is different from central Kentucky in terms of its vast mountains and beauty. He commented on how he enjoys hiking and would like to experience some of the local trails.
As far the library is concerned, Murphy, who has recently been selected to UK Community College System Leadership Academy for the next academic year, said he would like to see more resources, including books, at the Bell County facility. "I would like to obtain books that are relevant to the needs of the students. With books and now Internet, these tools could take you places and broaden your horizons," Murphy said. "They enable you to do things you could not do before."
The new director also said he is not familiar with everyone at the Middlesboro facility yet, but is looking forward to get know them better. And he emphasized that he wants the students to know that he is available for anyone who needs help. He said they are welcome to come by and meet him.
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"Dr. Ajay" part of Bell's diverse faculty
By Joe Beason
There is definitely some international flavor at SECC with several highly-regarded faculty members from other countries.
How about physics professor Dr. Ajay Mukhopadhay, who is from Calcutta, India?
In addition to physics, Dr. Ajay, who came to U.S. in 1978, teaches astronomy and some math. A graduate of Jadavpur University in Calcutta, India in 1971, Dr. Ajay's first teaching job in the U.S. was at the University of Tennessee as a visiting faculty member. Then in 1980, Dr. Ajay went to the University of Autnoma de Guadalajara in Mexico for a short period. After that, he went to Lincoln Memorial University in 1986, teaching physics. In 1991, Dr. Ajay joined the faculty at SECC in Middlesboro.
Dr. Ajay has had 14 papers published in various countries. In 1982 he received special invitation for presentation at the American Biophysical Society meeting where his work was included in the book "Protein-Lipid Interaction in Membranes" (published by Rockfeller University Press). Dr. Ajay also speaks four languages including English, Spanish, Hendi and Bengali (which is his native language).
Dr. Ajay and his wife Sue resides in Morristown, Tenn. Mrs. Mukhopadhyay works at LMU as Dean of Information Services. They have one son who is an engineer.
One of his favorite hobbies is painting portraits. He also enjoys classical music and soccer. Interestingly, Dr. Ajay said his hometown of Calcutta is the soccer capital of India. Traveling is another favorite on his leisure time activities which has taking him to several foreign countries. Studying classical literature and philosophy are also included in his life's pursuit.