SPC’s oldest living graduate celebrates 109th birthday this week

At 109-years-old, Gertha Lockett Murphy is the St. Philip’s 大学 and 阿拉莫大学 区 (ACD) oldest-living alumni. Murphy was born on 五月。 20, 1913, in Goodwill, Texas, a small community in Washington County. She is the daughter of late farmers and the granddaughter of a former U.S. 奴隶. Murphy graduated from St. Philip’s in 1936 and worked in civil service for 27 years at Kelly Air Force Base. 60岁的时候, she earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of the Incarnate Word.

In 2019, the college honored and celebrated Murphy with a 106th birthday bash hosted by SPC President Dr. 阿黛娜·威廉姆斯·罗斯顿. ACD Chancellor Mike Flores, SPC employees and Murphy’s loved ones attended the event. In 2020, more than 100 cars participated in a car parade to wish her happy birthday. The car parade included the 圣安东尼奥 Fire Department, 圣安东尼奥 警察局 and Bexar县 Sheriff’s Office.

Murphy is active at the college and never misses homecoming festivities. She has met every one of the college’s presidents, including President Emeritus Artemisia Bowden. During an interview in 2019, Murphy expressed her biggest life lessons: do the right thing, mind your own business, 经常祈祷, 善待他人. 

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