2025 Governor General’s Gold Medal (Master’s) Winner - Dallas Murphy
Congratulations to Dallas Murphy, the Governor General’s Gold Medal (Master’s) winner (for outstanding performance at the graduate level) - Master of Arts: Clinical Psychology.
“I came back to university after my break and started pursuing a degree I wasn’t interested in because it was what I thought I ‘should’ do. I hated every second of it. It wasn’t until I finally committed to pursuing clinical psychology that coming to UM every day became a joy,” Murphy says.
Now, his passion lies in applied research that makes mental healthcare more accessible. His work has included developing interventions to reduce internalized ageism in older adults, examining the neuropsychological effects of therapy for PTSD and evaluating strategies to boost academic performance in university students.
He also served as president of the Graduate Association of Students in Psychology, volunteered as a mentor through Project Short and held a regional leadership role with a nonprofit dedicated to fighting prejudice on campuses.
To his younger self, he offers this: “Follow your interests and passion. Everything is easier when you deeply care about the work you’re doing. And don’t be afraid to bet on yourself.”