“From giving me the opportunity to be the intramural sports coordinator to hosting leadership summits, FSUPC provides the support I need to become successful in my career.”
Fast Facts
- School Spirit: Lifelong FSU football fan — Go Noles!
- Outside the classroom: Participated on the first FSUPC Intramural Kickball Team
- Community Involvement: Volunteering as a mentor for a local cross-country team
- Recognition: Selected to attend multiple out-of-state trips while at FSUPC.
As a native of Panama City, Zachary Murzyn didn’t need to travel far to attend his first-choice college. Florida State University’s Panama City campus (FSUPC) offered Murzyn exactly what he needed: a space for his passions in business administration and fitness to flourish.
“FSUPC solidified my passions by providing me with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in my future career,” Murzyn said.
For Murzyn, his appreciation for the outdoors and endurance training translated to campus recreation. As the intramural sports coordinator, Murzyn hosts and promotes events such as the 33rd Annual Torch Run. Through his community outreach, he doubled the number of competing athletes within a year.
“I am a strong advocate of campus recreation,” Murzyn said. “Intramural sports play a significant role in promoting a healthy lifestyle and fostering a sense of community at FSUPC.”
Murzyn’s passion for fitness and community extends outside of intramural sports. After witnessing how his high school cross-country team created a sense of belonging for him, Murzyn established the FSU running club on the Panama City campus.
“During our running club trips, the team bonds and grows closer together,” Murzyn said. “It’s a testament to the running club achieving what I hoped it would do.
Murzyn’s efforts to cultivate community and his work ethic don’t go unnoticed. In 2022, he was the first to receive a Notable Nole Scholarship, an award established by an FSUPC alumnus and Notable Nole recipient, Frank Hall, recognizing students who exemplify leadership, campus and community involvement and academic success.
“The Notable Nole Scholarship represents my personal and professional growth, achievements and the hard work I contribute to my studies and extracurricular activities at FSUPC,” Murzyn said.
It isn’t a question of what Murzyn wants to do after college; he knows and is already doing it. With the guidance FSUPC offered to earn his real estate license and their networking opportunities, Murzyn has already established himself as a real estate agent in his community.
What accomplishments and goals does receiving the Notable Nole Scholarship represent?
The Notable Nole Scholarship represents my personal and professional growth, achievements and the hard work I contribute to my studies and extracurricular activities at FSUPC. I maintain my GPA while staying involved in student affairs and my job. Outside the classroom, I am involved in putting on events such as kickball, hiking and white-water rafting for FSUPC. Additionally, the award recognizes my campus involvement and support for student engagement on the FSUPC Campus. From working orientations to meeting with students to discuss what they would like to see on campus, I am deeply involved in campus life and the growth of the culture at FSUPC.
What inspired you to establish the running club, and what legacy do you hope it leaves at FSUPC?
I established the running club to promote student life and bring the campus together. My hope was to share my passion for running with other students on campus. I saw how my high school cross-country team created a positive atmosphere, and I sought to bring that to FSUPC. During our running club trips, the team bonds and grows closer together. It’s a testament to the running club achieving what I hoped it would do. I hope the running club will leave a legacy of promoting fitness and wellness on campus for years to come.
How has your experience as the Intramural Sports Coordinator contributed to your business administration education?
My experience as the Intramural Sports Coordinator helped me understand the importance of organization and communication in running a successful program. It also contributed to my business administration education by providing me with hands-on experience in event planning, management and teamwork. This year, I became the race director for the 33rd annual Torch Run, FSUPC’s annual 5K. This event alone taught me aspects of the business world that are difficult to learn in the classroom. As the race director, I received quotes, set up vendors, gathered support on campus and promoted the run to the community and beyond. My biggest takeaway was that people need to rely on their support team as much as possible during an event. Relying on my team allowed me to focus on bigger issues during the event instead of micromanaging.
What motivated you to study business administration, and how has FSU helped solidify your passions?
I chose to study business administration because I am passionate about understanding how businesses operate and making a difference in the industry. Ever since I was a kid, I have shown interest in business activities. In middle school, I started a lawncare and landscaping business. In high school, I expanded it to include small engine repairs after teaching myself how to fix small engines through YouTube. Now in college, I’m a real estate agent, and I help my clients buy and sell real estate. FSUPC helped solidify my passions by providing me with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in my future career. From giving me the opportunity to be the intramural sports coordinator to hosting leadership summits on campus, FSUPC provides the support I need to become successful in my career.