Morehead-Rowan County Airport Board

Dr. Shannon Murphy is a chemistry and physics teacher at Rowan County Senior High School.
Four years ago, he was selected to teach a new series of aviation courses developed by the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Worldwide shortages of pilot and general aviation career professionals inspired the development of this innovative science, math and
engineering-based curriculum.

Since Dr. Murphy began teaching this 4-year curriculum, three of his students have qualified for prestigious flight training scholarships provided by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), an international aviation organization. Additionally, he has provided mentorship and after-class instructional coaching for three other students from nearby high schools that are also teaching the AOPA aviation curriculum. One of his former scholarship students has just completed a post-secondary degree in aviation and another has been recruited into the Army Aviation program. Among his mentored students, one is currently enrolled in the Eastern Kentucky University  aviation program, and the others are on track to pursue airline pilot careers.

Dr. Murphy is a member of our local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA Chapter 1525) where he administers our flight training scholarship program and organizes fund raisers to provide the chapter’s portion of the scholarship funding. Flight training to achieve a Private Pilot License (the foundational qualification for most aviation careers), is a rigorous and expensive enterprise which is out of reach of many aspiring aviators and requires a mentoring and monetary boost which Dr. Murphy has enthusiastically supplied.

Many of Dr. Murphy’s students and their parents have joined EAA Chapter 1525 and express wholehearted gratitude for his leadership and inspiration. Dr. Murphy has clearly gone above and beyond the requirements for a public educator and deserves special recognition for his devotion to his students and the community.

Submitted by James Stevens, President, Experimental Aircraft Association 1525
October 2024

A graduate of Rowan County High School, Morehead State University (B.S., M.S,) and the University of Kentucky (Ed.D.), Dr. Murphy has been teaching science for over 21 years. During this time, he has eagerly sought out unique learning opportunities for his students both inside and outside the classroom. His most recent adventure has been to oversee (and teach) an innovative four-year aviation careers curriculum sponsored by the national AOPA organization.

To complement this program, Shannon has become an active member of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA 1525). His tireless volunteer activities in this club have led to multiple flight training scholarships ($10-11,000 each) for his students and free introductory flights for kids (7 – 17 years old) throughout the county. While the high school aviation program is only 4 years old, his students have excelled after graduation with several certified pilots and/or aviation maintenance specialists, and others continuing their education in post-secondary aviation programs. Always smiling, his optimism is contagious! He is truly an inspiration to his students and to all who know or work with him. He makes a DIFFERENCE!

Submitted by Bruce A. Mattingly, Chairman, Morehead-Rowan County Airport Board
October 2024