Shirley Murray

Q: What is your favorite thing about working at Delaware Tech?

"Working at Delaware Tech gives me the opportunity to blend my two life goals: teach and work in the lab. It also needs to be said that I work with some of the nicest people in Delaware, and I really enjoy that."

Q: Why was it important for you to work at Delaware Tech?

"My goal upon graduating from St. Joseph's School of Medical Technology was to teach medical laboratory science. I have always worked at facilities where teaching was part of the job, but I wanted to teach full time. I am doing exactly what I love, and being able to do it in a community college makes it even better. I help people get interesting jobs doing real science."

Q: Describe your first day at Delaware Tech. What was that experience like?

"My first day at Delaware Tech was rather awkward. When I arrived, my office was not quite ready for me. I had to go to the open lab to get anything done, but then I was unavailable to my department chair. It was an interesting week."

Q: What changes have you seen in yourself since you started working here?

"I have grown as an instructor. I have learned many different ways to teach the same exact thing. I am now one of the 'old guys' on campus, having been here for a while, so sometimes I am asked about the history of how things came to be the way they are. I find it amusing."

Q: Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Delaware Tech thus far?

"I have many special memories with a lot of special people. My fondest memory involves Karen Swain and Dr. Ileana Smith. I was waiting in the Carter Partnership Center to meet with Dr. Tim Kavel for my second interview in my first hiring process. Evidently, the nervousness showed. Karen started talking to me to try to calm my nerves. The next thing I know, out comes Ileana asking what is going on. Karen introduced us, and both of them told me not to worry. They told me that Dr. Kavel was a nice guy. That interview with Dr. Kavel was a breeze compared to the next second interview I had years later with Dr. Smith! Thankfully, I still remembered how nice she was the first time we met."

Q: What's something people may not know about you?

"I absolutely love music of all genres, but I have only ever been to one concert in my life. I saw 38 Special perform when I was in college. I also have this uncanny knack for not knowing the titles of songs or who sings them!"