Jim Murphy's illustrious music career started back in 1963 with his radio program Country and Folk Concert on WJLK, Asbury Park. He formed his band, Jim Murphy & the Pine Barons, in 1969 and has been performing his style of traditional country and bluegrass music across New Jersey and the US ever since. A dedicated songwriter, Mr. Murphy has received numerous awards for his work including his album, New Billy Music, which was the Traditional Music Association’s 1998 album of the Year. Mr. Murphy was also awarded “Song of the Year,” “Songwriter of the Year,” and “Male Vocalists of the Year,” furthering his career as a nationally recognized singer-aongwriter.

In August 2007, Mr. Murphy was the first-ever New Jerseyan to be inducted into the Old Time country Music Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to traditional music. In addition to performing and writing his own material, Mr. Murphy is very interested in the legacy and music of country music superstar Hank Williams. Mr. Murphy regularly performs tributes and is active with the Hank Williams International Society. Mr. Murphy still performs regularly with his band throughout the tri-state region and is a mainstay at the legendary Albert Music Hall in Waretown, New Jersey.

            Pastor Edwin Achenbach is the General Director of Fellowship Deaconry, a not-for-profit, nondenominational organization, in the United States and Canada. In a constant effort to minister
to the physical and spiritual needs of as many people as possible, the Fellowship Deaconry offers a variety of opportunities and events for people and groups both near and far. The organization got its start during the late 1800s, when there was a spiritual awakening in eastern Germany. This Christian-centered revival became known as the “Fellowship Movement.”

The Fellowship Deaconry is now the headquarters for fourteen chapels throughout the United States and Canada, keeping alive their German heritage and a commitment to God. Reverend Achenbach is actively involved in several of the missions of the Fellowship Deaconry. He serves as the Director of the Liberty Corner Mission in central New Jersey and as the Founder and Director of the Unique Opportunity Program, which is a school for training Chinese students for Christian missionary and evangelical ministries at home and abroad. He attended Tabor Seminary in Marburg/Lahn, near Frankfurt in Germany. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Northeastern Bible College in Essex Fells, New Jersey.

            Dr. Marie Logue is the Assistant Vice President for Academic Engagement and Programming in the Office of Undergraduate Education at Rutgers University. Dr. Logue has been a Rutgers academic and student affairs administrator for twenty-five years. As the Associate Dean for student development at Rutgers College for many years, she worked closely with students and faculty developing co-curricular programs and activities. This experience has served her well as she and her staff assist the campus deans and the faculty in the development of new structures that bring faculty and students into active engagement with each other. Dr. Logue and her staff welcome undergraduate students in all schools at Rutgers to participate in the new learning communities and the other active learning experiences sponsored by her office.