Murphy Harpst honors Glenn York with academy name change
The family of Glenn York and board members for Murphy Harpst Children’s Center, along with staff, gathered Monday morning to officially unveil a new name for the educational wing of the center.
What was once known as the Harpst Academy will now take on the name of York Academy, in honor of the Cedartown attorney and founding member of the Tripp Foundation.
Headmaster Marvin Williams, who took on the role as the leader of the academy this year, said the name change was an important reminder of York’s impact on the community.
“He was a great man and a great friend,” he said. “He was just a great person for the city of Cedartown, and the Tripp foundation has made a significant difference in the lives of many people here, and helped many organizations.”
The new name was unveiled in a short ceremony outside of the academy with former board chair Bruce Elder to do the honors with the help of a student.
State Rep. Trey Kelley also presented the newly minted York Academy with new flags to raise on the campus that flew over the state house.
Chuck Troutman, the president and CEO of Murphy Harpst, said the name change comes as an important reminder to what York’s overall goals were when he helped found the Tripp Foundation: to help people – especially children – in Polk County.
“We have a wonderful group of young people here who need a special touch,” he said. “Every day we try to make a difference in the lives of these kids, and that’s what Mr. York stood for.”
Troutman said the idea came about years ago after the center’s schooling arm – previously in a smaller space than it is now – needed to expand in order to continue helping kids.
“We came to the Tripp Foundation with an idea, and we wondered if the board members at the Tripp Trust might want to have a memento in the community for Mr. York,” he said.
Elder said over more than a decade the Tripp Foundation, which York was one of the founding members, has helped the school by providing funding for a new kitchen, soon to be completed dormitories, and to provide funding to help make the renaming happen and improve education at the center.
“They’ve had a tremendous impact on MurphyHarpst, and have transformed the campus,” he said.