Pride receives Foundation's Spirit of Philanthropy Award

Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Murray Pride receives the Putnam County Community Foundation Spirit of Philanthropy Award from Foundation Board President Vicki Timm during the organization's recent annual meeting.

Murray Pride received a standing ovation as he accepted the Spirit of Philanthropy Award at the recent annual meeting of the Putnam County Community Foundation.

"If I would have known about this," Pride said, "I would have gotten a haircut."

The award is the highest honor bestowed by board members of the Community Foundation and recognizes outstanding philanthropic achievement within the Putnam County community.

Pride is currently superintendent of Eminence Community School Corporation and was superintendent at North Putnam Community Schools prior to that.

He has served as president of the Rotary Club of Greencastle, the Putnam County Community Foundation and the United Way of Putnam County. Pride has also served on the board of the Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center and in various leadership roles in state professional organizations.

"I am sure that you will agree with me that our community is rich with philanthropic spirits," said Vicki Timm, president of the Community Foundation. "Murray Pride's continued enthusiastic support, grateful heart, community leadership, and generosity with his time, talent and treasure make him an excellent candidate for this award."

In addition to professional and community service, Pride, along with his wife, Sara, established the Murray and Sara Pride Scholarship for North Putnam High School graduates, and are Legacy Society members of the Community Foundation. Legacy Society members have named a current or future fund/endowment at the Community Foundation as a beneficiary in their estate plans.

Pride was emotional as he thanked the board for its recognition.

"When I was hired at North Putnam many years ago," Pride said, "I told them that they were getting not just me, but a team -- me and Sara -- and that we would do everything we could to have a positive influence on the community. People have asked me if I would move south to be closer to our grandbabies after I retire, but Sara and I are staying here. This is home."

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