| Honored by: | Larry D. Murphy |
| Brick location: | G:6 map |
With love and respect Larry D. Murphy honors wife Karen La Deen Stiles Murphy:
Karen La Deen Stiles Murphy was born April 27, 1951 in Sioux City, Iowa to Lois J. and E. Eugene Stiles. She was an honors graduate from Iowa State University, College of Education in 1973. That same year she married Larry D. Murphy, son of Evelyn Murphy of Blanchard, Iowa, and a 1973 Science and Humanities graduate. Karen went on to receive a masters degree from ISU in 1979 and a masters degree and doctorate from Drake University in 1984 and 1992 respectively.
Since 1973 she has taught science for the Des Moines Public Schools, served on several local and national education committees, worked with several grant programs, donated thousands of hours to community volunteer service, and received numerous state and national awards for teaching and volunteerism.
Four of the awards that are especially meaningful to her include: 1992 ISU's College of Education Lagomarcino Laureate Award; 1989 Iowa Academy of Science Outstanding Service Award to Science Education; 1983 First Iowa recipient of Presidential Excellence in Science Teaching Award; 1979 American Red Cross National Award for Educator of the Year. Karen's current teaching assignment is marine biology a program she started for the Des Moines School District in 1986.
Karen is being honored not only as a wife, but as a dedicated teacher who has helped hundreds of students gain positive feelings about themselves and their capabilities and develop caring attitudes about the people they encounter and the world in which they live.
2/1/95