Yesterday, the 2021 Michael P. Murphy Award in Geospatial Intelligence was awarded to retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Daniel Selik at the Enlightenment Hub on the exhibit hall floor.

“As a retired Navy Chief and ongoing GEOINT contributor to our nation’s warfighters and decision makers, Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Murphy and his Operation Redwings crew continue to stand as a beacon for what I’ve tried to achieve over my three decades of Navy and GEOINT service to our country,” said Selik, who’s had seven deployments to Southwest Asia and Africa and will graduate this fall from the intercollege Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security with options in both Geospatial Intelligence and Counter Terrorism.

The 2021 Michael Murphy Award is named for Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a distinguished Penn State alumnus. Murphy was killed June 28, 2005, by enemy forces during a reconnaissance mission in Afghanistan. For his selfless leadership and courageous actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The Murphy Award recognizes achievement by a Penn State graduate who is serving or has served in the U.S. Armed Forces or IC. Recipients are chosen based upon demonstration of exceptional contributions to the discipline after completing Penn State’s graduate certificate in geospatial intelligence.

“Lt. Murphy’s sacrifice, along with those of his fellow sailors and soldiers, is a narrative ingrained in the sailors who are annually selected to be promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer,” Selik said. “And now as a devoted Nittany Lion, the honor of such an award which bears Lt. Murphy’s name along with Penn State is a source of boundless pride.”

2021 Michael Murphy Award: This endowed award was made possible in 2010 by the gracious gifts from:

• • Maxar
  • United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation
  • Penn State Staff & Faculty

Featured image caption (left to right): U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) Daniel Selik, Dr. Camelia Kantor, USGIF, Mr. Jon Love, Maxar, Dr. Greg Thomas, Penn State.