Professor Art Murphy of the Public Speaking Program inducted into North Catholic High School Hall of Fame

Georgetown University Prof. of Public Speaking Art Murphy Jr. will be inducted into North Catholic High School’s Hall of Fame on Oct. 16, 2021. A 1965 graduate of the school, Murphy pursued his dream of the law and was admitted to the bar in 1972 and became a successful trial lawyer. At age 33, Art founded the Murphy Taylor law firm in Pittsburgh. He developed new clients, hired and managed people, managed finances, managed clients, constantly learned, and embraced his favorite role as a trial attorney in front of a jury.

Dedicated to community service, Murphy spent more than 10 years on the board of his local Boy Scout Council, became the lawyer for the board (pro bono), and eventually the Chairman. He received the Boy Scouts Silver Beaver award, and volunteered for Bar Association foundations, sections, and performance groups including teaching many seminars on aspects of law practice.

For nearly 50 years Murphy contributed to and served his alma mater, Georgetown University. This included service on the Board of Regents, College Board of Advisors, Alumni Board of Governors, Alumni Admissions Board of Advisors, and the Hoya Hoop Club. He also served Georgetown as president of the Georgetown Club of Pittsburgh and was an alumni interviewer for many years. Art was recognized with the John Carroll Award, the highest honor for Georgetown alumni.

Murphy opened doors for young men and women to pursue their educational dreams. He endowed the Arthur J. Murphy Jr. Scholarship at Georgetown University and the Arthur J. Murphy Jr. Scholarship at his other alma mater the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

From his days in Speech and Debate at North Catholic onward, Art believed in and supported public speaking. At Georgetown he established the Arthur J. Murphy Jr. Endowed Fund for Public Speaking. As an unpaid Adjunct Professor, Art taught senior-level courses at Georgetown in public speaking from before 2000 to 2015. He did this while he continued to practice law in Pittsburgh and manage his law firm full time.

In 2015 Art became a full-time Professor of the Practice of Public Speaking at Georgetown. Motivated by witnessing his students’ success in becoming public speakers with lifetime skills, his second career is a joy for which he receives highest accolades from students including those graduates he continues to mentor.

Art has two grown children, Brendan and Kerry and a brother Mike Murphy ‘71, sisters Ann Coplin and Marylynn Stubler, all of whom he values. He also has a number of lifetime friends, all great gifts.

For more information regarding the Hall of Fame please visit North Catholic’s website.