Eppley Institute’s Murphy receives Gold ‘U’ award

Wally Murphy was essentially the first help desk on campus. His IT philosophy is the opposite of Nick Burns, “your company’s computer guy,” as seen here on a Saturday Night Live skit.

Wally Murphy looked around the roomful of people gathered for a department get-together and listened as Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of UNMC’s Eppley Cancer Center, paid compliment after compliment to an employee who was to receive the June Gold ‘U’ award.

“Who is getting this award?” Murphy wondered to himself as he scanned the crowd. He saw 40 to 50 deserving candidates, so when Walter Murphy’s name came out of Dr. Cowan’s mouth, the ITS manager’s jaw dropped in surprise.

“It was quite humbling,” Murphy said. “I just do my job.”

Others disagree, including Yi P. Hu, Ph.D., research instructor in the Eppley Institute, who nominated Murphy for the award. Dr. Hu said Murphy goes above and beyond the call of duty to serve the 275 people he supports and is definitely deserving of Chancellor’s Gold ‘U’ award, which recognizes office-service and managerial professional staff employees of UNMC who consistently deliver outstanding performance and service to UNMC.

“Wally provides outstanding customer service, which has improved the effectiveness of our daily operations,” Dr. Hu said. “On one occasion, when we needed a special type of software, he contacted the company himself with enthusiasm. He helped us to purchase the best product in the market and save our federal grant money for research.”

Providing technical service and support to research teams in the Eppley Institute is in Murphy’s job description. Being available before, after and off hours; taking the time to really listen; and performing “other duties as assigned” with a smile are not.

But Murphy has been doing those things since he joined UNMC 20 years ago, when key punches made a simple IT job take hours to run.

“At first I just needed a job, but after I was here at UNMC for awhile, I realized it was a good career opportunity,” he said. “The med center is like my second family now. People here really do care.”

Wally’s words Wally Murphy on his 20 years as an ITS manager of the Eppley Cancer Institute UNMC’s Wally Murphy on receiving the Gold ‘U’ award

Murphy liked it here so much that he convinced his wife Anita to come work for UNMC. His spouse of 25 years works as an RN at Clarkson West and will celebrate her 20th year with UNMC/The Nebraska Medical Center in 2009.

Murphy spent eight years with campus ITS, where he was essentially the first help desk on campus, before he transferred to the Eppley Institute in 1996.

“I thought it was going to be a short stint and we would just get them in line with the campus and that would be it,” Murphy said. “But then I was here longer and longer and there was more and more to do. We’re always trying to keep up with the times and be at the forefront of technology.”

There is no typical day, but on any given day Murphy, a two time Silver U recipient, can be found putting memory onto an older computer, fixing a printer jam, installing software, repairing an employee’s e-mail account, adding storage space to servers and connecting new staff members to the network.

“Every day is a little different, but it’s all about making sure things run smoothly,” Murphy said. “It’s a team effort between Bill Goodrich and myself to try to make things work if at all possible. We like to think we can make it happen.”

A Council Bluffs native, Murphy earned his degree in computer programming from Iowa Western Community College. The computer problems of his eight brothers and sisters, in-laws and neighbors keep him up-to-date on the latest trends in IT.

When he’s not in front of a computer screen, Murphy can be found on the golf course or following the activities of his two children, Jessica, 20, and Eugene, 23, who played youth hockey.

“The kids like to laugh at the way I skate because I use the wall to stop myself,” Murphy said. “I don’t skate well, but I’m looking forward to the ice rink (in the student plaza of the Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science and Education). I may go over and skate on my lunch hour.”

The best thing about Murphy’s job — the people, people whom he is grateful to work alongside.

“I can’t believe my peers thought enough of me to nominate me for this award,” he said. “I hope the 40 or 50 people who deserve the Gold ‘U’ will get it now.”

Weighing in on Wally

“Wally is extremely deserving of this distinction, and is a very valued member of the Eppley Institute staff. It is evident that he has extensive understanding of what is required to support and maintain some very complicated programs pertaining to different areas of research. Wally has a knack for anticipating a problem before it surfaces, many times diverting a potential dilemma and always responds in a timely and professional manner when computer and IT issues arise. Wally has outstanding problem-solving skills.” — Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Eppley Cancer Center

“Wally consistently goes above and beyond to provide exemplary service and support to all Institute faculty and staff. He handles tasks efficiently and with a friendly disposition. Wally’s dedication to ensuring that the Eppley Institute’s IT needs are met on a daily basis and his strong work ethic make him an extremely valuable asset to EI and UNMC.” — Matt Winfrey, associate director for administration and external affairs, Murphy’s direct supervisor

“Wally has offered me unfailing help with excellent promptness, and has solved many of the computer problems I have encountered in my research. He is always very courteous and patient with my ignorance of computers.” — Sidney Mirvish, Ph.D. professor in the Eppley Institute