In addition to his work ministering in area churches around Vienna, Reverend Willard Murrie has been instrumental in the economic development of Vienna as a Board member on the Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone, the Shawnee Development Council, and the Southernmost Illinois Stimulus Corporation. He is recognized with the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award for his efforts to improve the lives of low-income families in Vienna and for his many years as a Special Education teacher in Vienna. For 17 years, Reverend Murrie taught special education students in English, History, Social Studies, and Math. He was recognized for his outstanding contribution to education in his community as ?Teacher of the Year? by the Illinois Board of Education in 1983.
Select Illinois Humanities Council programs are now available for listening or download at Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) as a part of Chicago Amplified, a web-based audio library of diverse public events recorded throughout the Chicago region.
