Bernard Spilka and James M. Murray Papers

Bernard “Bernie” Spilka (1926-2025) was an educator, scholar, mentor and researcher. After serving in the Army Air Forces as a medic, he obtained degrees from New York University (BA, 1949) and Purdue University (PhD, 1952). He became a professor of psychology at Washburn University and later at the University of Denver where he worked for 40 years. He was a prolific scholar, authoring 151 papers plus 16 books and major federal reports, mainly in the field of the psychology of religion. From 1967-1970 he worked on a grant studying the Oglala Sioux in South Dakota.

James M. “Jim” Murray (1932- ) grew up on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, the Pine Ridge Reservation, the Crow Indian Reservation, and the Fort Totten Reservation. He obtained degrees from the University of North Dakota (MS, 1957) and the University of Oregon (PhD, 1962). He was a professor of economics at the University of Wisconsin—Green Bay from 1969-1993. Additionally, he served as a consultant to Native American nations, corporations, and government entities from 1958-1995.