THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, May 6, 1996 TAG: 9605060028
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KIA MORGAN ALLEN, CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
As a kid, Clarence W. Murray III used to mix spices and seasonings together just to witness the chemical reactions that took place.
He'd throw tabasco sauce, salt and pepper into a cake-frosting container that he took from his mother's kitchen. Then he'd take a pleasurable whiff of the ``stinky smells.''
Years later, the 19-year-old Norfolk State University sophomore is still stirring up reactions, and he's winning more than his mother's attention.
Murray, a student from Virginia Beach who is in Norfolk State's Dozoretz science honors program, recently received a $5,000 scholarship from Avlon Industries Inc., which manufactures hair-care products.
He was one of only two students in the nation who won the scholarships, offered in conjunction with the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers.
Murray, who plans to spend his winnings on a new computer, no longer dabbles with homemade concoctions. This summer, he'll work with the real thing in an internship at Virginia Tech. He'll be doing research on polymers, which he describes as ``just long-chain hydrocarbons'' that make up plastics.
After he graduates from Norfolk State in 1998, he'd like to get a doctorate. But why chemistry?
Murray says he enjoys it because there is creative leeway. ``There is no wrong way or right way to do chemical reactions,'' he said.
Despite the spice-mixing episode as a child, Murray said he didn't decide on chemistry as a career until late in high school.
Both Murray's parents teach at Norfolk State - Betty in biology and Clarence Jr. in drama. Like many young adults, the younger Murray decided not to follow in his father's footsteps.
The son said he was never pushed to choose a particular career path. His father agrees. ``I encouraged my kids to think on their own,'' the senior Murray said. ``My parents did not put pressure on me.
``My kids must blaze their own trail and do their own thing.''
And so he has.
The younger Murray makes a point of using what he has learned so far to help others. From time to time, he visits the Campostella Boys and Girls Club to help first- through 12th-graders with their homework.
``It makes you feel good just knowing that you can contribute,'' he said.
Murray was recently inducted into the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society with a 3.6 grade point average. He also is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the Dozoretz institute's student association, the chemistry club and the NSU Players drama club.
But chemistry is his top priority. He is terse and studious, barely allowing time to be interviewed because of a ``major test'' he had to study for.
He's not the only Murray child on campus. His sister, Leslie, 19, is a freshman in the honors science program. In addition, she is a member of Norfolk State's Honda Campus All-Star Challenge team, which competes with other colleges in trivia contests.
He also has two middle-school-age sisters living at home.
Having two kids in college at the same time could be a financial burden, but not for the Murrays.
``It's a blessing,'' Betty Murray said about the full scholarships her children are getting. ``The Lord is good all the time.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Clarence W. Murray III
KEYWORDS: NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP by CNB