Deirdre Murphy, a professor of art, architecture, and design at Lehigh University, believes that her practice loses momentum the moment she stops asking questions, a mindset that fuels both her artwork and her teaching.
As both a practicing artist and a professor, Murphy views her exchange with students as an opportunity to learn from them just as much as they learn from her.
Beyond the classroom, she immerses herself in academic research focused on bird migration and the impacts of climate change. Her passion for these issues extends into her work with students, where she combines her love for environmental advocacy with the power of art. Most recently, this has taken shape through her role as the faculty adviser for the Mountain Hawk Birding Club.
Founded this academic year, the club has quickly taken off, becoming a vibrant community for students interested in conservation and birdwatching. Murphy’s guidance has nurtured the club’s growth, helping students turn a shared interest into an organization.
Murphy and some colleagues saw an opportunity for birding enthusiasts on campus. Lehigh Launch program director Jennifer Jensen immediately thought of Holly Fasching ’26, a graphic design major with a passion for the environment paired with art.
A birding club had originally been the dream of emerita professor of psychology Barbara Malt, but it never took flight due to the pandemic in 2020. Malt had since retired but connected with Fasching upon Jensen’s recommendation, and the idea was given a second chance, bringing Fasching’s creativity and enthusiasm to the club’s mission.
Murphy agreed to become full-time faculty adviser, while Malt connected the students with the National Audubon Society’s Audubon on Campus program. With that, the club was born.
“When they first start out, they may not know other relevant groups on campus that would help enrich what they're doing or where to go for resources to pay for things that they need to fund,” Malt says. “So the faculty advisers are the ones with experience who really know how to get them connected and help them make their vision a reality.”
Beyond club advisory roles, Murphy is passionate about mentoring students and nurturing their passions by pulling them into her professional research, helping them land internships, and encouraging career development through alumni connections and exhibition opportunities.
Murphy mentored Fasching with her first solo exhibition at Café the Lodge as well as Matthew Hinckley ’25, whose solo exhibition Out of Focus this semester featured his prints.
Murphy enjoys helping students connect with the Bethlehem community by finding local coffee shops and venues where they can showcase their work, giving them the opportunity to build their resumes.
When Fasching expressed an interest in a graphic design internship with an environmental focus, Murphy connected her with the Lower Merion Conservancy, where she secured the position. Fasching rebranded the organization, and her work was approved by the board. This experience allowed her to build a professional portfolio that will help her in her future career.
“Anytime I can help the students network, whether it's exhibitions or internships or helping on a research project, writing and helping them write a grant, I always really try and go the extra mile because that's why [students are] here, right? Not just to take classes, but just to get that full experience.”
For Murphy, that full experience is a two-way street.
She values the connections she forms with her students and the opportunity to grow alongside them. Her passion for teaching shines through when she speaks directly to them.
“You guys are just amazing. You're the up-and-coming generation of change makers,” she says. “And I love seeing your curiosity, your passion, and being part of fostering that growth.”
Whether guiding students in the studio, supporting their conservation efforts, or helping them take their first steps into the professional world, Murphy’s influence goes far beyond the classroom.
