SMITHFIELD, RI – Bryant University announces the appointment of Mark Murphy, editor of the Providence Business News (PBN), as Director of the John H. Chafee Center for International Business, effective October 7. Murphy will report to Provost and Chief Academic Officer Glenn Sulmasy, J.D. L.L.M., and work closely with College of Business Dean Madan Annavarjula, Ph.D., and College of Arts and Sciences Dean Brad Martin, Ph.D., to advance Bryant’s strategic vision, promote economic growth for Rhode Island, and develop international business and educational programs.
Murphy will succeed the late Ray Fogarty '79 to lead the Center’s programs in support of experiential learning, business leadership, and market development for Bryant University’s students and faculty. The Chafee Center’s programs include: the Rhode Island Export Assistance Center, World Trade Center Rhode Island, Bryant’s International Business Practicum; and signature events and training programs including World Trade Day, which will mark its 35th year in 2020. As director, Murphy will collaborate with Governor Gina Raimondo's office, RI Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Commerce RI, and the Small Business Association to coordinate key trade and business functions with the state.
“We recognize the many opportunities for the Chafee Center to grow in its role as a resource for Rhode Island and for Bryant students, faculty, and staff. The partnerships between Bryant and state leaders, are critical to success,” says Sulmasy. “Through his work with the Chafee Center and World Trade Day over the past 14 years, Mark knows first-hand the considerable strength and potential of this vibrant resource. I am confident he will take the Center to the next level and work to support the State of Rhode Island’s ambitious trade initiatives.”
Murphy came to Rhode Island in 2005 to serve as editor of PBN where he and his team have consistently won awards for their in-depth, high-quality reporting about individuals and business throughout the state—from regional manufacturers to global Fortune 500 companies. He sets editorial direction for the newspaper, which includes a weekly print edition, an award-winning website, and weekly newsletters. He appeared regularly on WJAR-TV NBC 10 during his tenure at PBN to discuss the most recent news and issues, and co-hosted a business news show on Rhode Island Public Radio, the predecessor to The Public’s Radio.
Murphy says he’s always believed in the importance and potential of the Chafee Center and programs like World Trade Day. As a result, he has participated over the years in a number of roles, including master of ceremonies, panel discussion leader and as a public interviewer of regional business leaders.
“Bryant and its faculty already contribute to Rhode Island in many important ways, but there is more good work to do to bring their insights to the business community across the nation and beyond our borders,” says Murphy. “I look forward to working with the Bryant team to discover innovative ways to help the Chafee Center, the University, the students and the state of Rhode Island meet the marketplace demands of the future.”
Murphy previously served as editor of Golf World Business for five years, and for nearly 20 years, he held various newsroom positions at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he earned a Master’s of Business Administration at Columbia University Business School, and a Master of Science in Journalism at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism.
About the John H. Chafee Center for International Business
The John H. Chafee Center for International Business supports Bryant University's mission of providing undergraduate, graduate, and professional education programs through collaborations with faculty and students. Through global market research, corporate training, and strategic consulting, the Chafee Center helps companies get products and services to more customers around the world. The Center assists more than 200 companies each year.
Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I. is a leading private university offering an innovative and uniquely integrated business and liberal arts education. Founded in 1863, Bryant University has approximately 3,700 graduate and undergraduate students from 32 states and 66 countries. Bryant University is recognized as a leader in international education and regularly receives top rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, and Barron's. Visit www.Bryant.edu.
