Dr. Gwen Murdock, who will soon be retiring after having taught in the psychology department for over 20 years at Missouri Southern State University-Joplin, has just found out she is a 2008 Fulbright scholar. Murdoch, an advocate in defense of democracy, is shown during a peace march in Joplin in 2002.
When some people think of retirement they envision long days relaxing on the beach. For Dr. Gwen Murdock, retirement will mean learning Russian, teaching on the other side of the world, and, with any luck, following yaks across the mountain meadows of Central Asia.
Murdock, retiring August 1, 2008 as professor and head of the psychology department at Missouri Southern State University, just learned that she has been awarded a Fulbright grant that will allow her to teach and help develop the psychology curriculum at the American University-Central Asia (AUCA) in Bishkek Kyrgyz Republic. Sponsored by the US Department of State and established by Congress in 1946, the Fulbright program provides money so that US students, teachers, professionals and scholars may study, teach, lecture and conduct research in more than 155 countries in an exchange program that allows foreign counterparts to engage in similar activities in the US.
The far-off, mountainous Kyrgyz Republic, famed as part of the ancient Silk Road, remained little-known during its years as one of the Socialist Republics of the Soviet Union. But now, its leaders are re-shaping its higher education system and social science research methods so they can work with scholars and business people from the West.
"I look forward to this opportunity to bring my expertise to students who have grown up with the Soviet-style educational system," Murdock said. "I have always enjoyed helping people think about new things in new ways."
Despite three previous, but short, visits to the country, Murdock realizes that there will be a great deal to learn.
"I will be equally enriched by learning how Kyrgyz students see the world and react to my ideas and perspectives. I have the privilege of working with Dr. Aron A. Brudny, one of the most respected psychology professors in all of the former Soviet Union," she explained.
Murdock has long experience with international travel. She has researched animal and human behavior in Tanzania and Cuba, and has led MSSU student study-abroad trips to India and Cuba.
Murdock came to Missouri Southern State University from Washington D.C. in 1985 to teach psychology, and was appointed department head in 2001. Her research focus of animal behavior prompted her moving to Missouri. She conducted a 10-year study of bison behavior in Prairie State Park, near Liberal, MO.
"I very much appreciate the fact that my departmental colleagues took a chance on a weird comparative psychologist, who wanted to study the social behavior of bison. My colleagues have always been wonderfully supportive of my research interests," Murdock recalled.
Though certain she will miss southwest Missouri and her students, retirement may offer her opportunities to study animals like the yak.
"Yaks are the closest relatives of bison," Murdock said. "It will be very interesting to observe the similarities and differences between them and other bovid species I have studied. There are large herds of domestic yaks. I am excited about the prospect of sitting on the side of a mountain observing their behavior. If I am lucky enough to work out all the logistic challenges in conducting research in addition to teaching, it will be a tremendous opportunity to complete a picture of their social behavior and how it compares to bison."
She will serve as a "goodwill ambassador" to the Islamic nation nestled between China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, south of Russia, north of India. The location has a new strategic importance for the US in light of international events.
Murdoch will have help adjusting to this unfamiliar and demanding world from the regional Fulbright office, but also from her spouse, John Couper, a professor of journalism and communication who lived and worked in the Kyrgyz capital city of Bishkek in 2004-06. Murdock took advantage of her visits there to give guest lectures to the University that often is called the "Harvard of Central Asia."
"I already feel quite comfortable with my future colleagues and with the students I have met," Murdock said. "This spring, I am providing a critique of a psychology student's thesis, which they are required to have to graduate with honors from AUCA."
Murdock has a reputation for avoiding the easy, conventional way of doing things. In the past, her readiness for adventure has led to tall grass prairie, Joplin, and MSSU, where she was awarded the Outstanding Teacher Award in 1992. Starting in August, the prized Fulbright Award will take her to a dramatic and exciting new "road less traveled." Go Back | 
