MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY’S ALUMNI MAGAZINE • FALL 2024
Transforming Tomorrow
A multitude of capital projects and enhancements are strategically modernizing campus while writing a bold new chapter in the start of Murray State’s second century.
Murray State University is governed by the Board of Regents
Chair – Leon Owens, ’14
Vice Chair – Dr. Robert (Robbie) Graham Fitch, ’24
Virginia Gray
Brendan Hawkins
Dr. David Meinschein, ’94, ’17
G.L. Ovey, Jr.
Dr. Matthew Price, ’97
Emily Roark
Dr. Melony Shemberger, ’04
Tom Waldrop
Dr. J. David Wilson
Murray State University President
Dr. Robert L (Bob) Jackson, ’85
Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs
Jordan Smith, ’08, ’12
Executive Director of Marketing and Communication
Shawn Touney
Blue & Gold Magazine Staff
Charley Allen, ’03, ’21
Dr. Tina Bernot, ’14, ’21
Angela Claxton, ’09, ’12
Jennifer Cline, ’97
David Eaton
Ellie Krouse
Carrie McGinnis, ’20
Jeremy McKeel, ’98, ’02
Brittney McWaters
Rebecca Mertins
Dani Ray, ’15
Melissa Shown, ’93
Brandon Story, ’16
Shawn Touney
Tobie Tubbs, ’96, ’08
Clay Wagoner, ’23
Dave Winder, ’87
Aviva Yasgur, ’21
Comments and Suggestions
msu.pr@murraystate.edu
Office of Alumni Relations
Carrie McGinnis, ’20, director 270-809-5600 or 1-800-758-8510 msu.raceralumni@murraystate.edu
Office of Development
Dr. Tina Bernot, ’14, ’21, executive director of advancement 270-809-3001 or 877-282-0033 msu.giving@murraystate.edu
Murray State University Foundation
Dr. David Durr, president 270-809-6912
ddurr@murraystate.edu
Postmaster
The Murray State University Blue & Gold Magazine is published twice per year at Murray State University.
Please send address changes to the Office of Alumni Relations at 100 Easley Alumni Center, Murray, Kentucky, 42071, or via email to msu.raceralumni@murraystate.edu.
Dear Alumni and Friends:
This is an exciting and busy time on campus and we are experiencing positive momentum across many areas of Murray State to advance our institution.
During the fall, many national publications announce their annual lists of best colleges and universities. I am very proud to share that Murray State University was included again this year as a university that is recognized nationally for access, affordability, quality and academic excellence.
Among many accolades ranging from Washington Monthly’s “Best Bang for the Buck” to Wall Street Journal’s “Best Colleges in the United States,” Murray State University received the #1 “Best Value School” designation in the South region by U.S. News and World Report. U.S. News and World Report has now recognized Murray State for 34 consecutive years as a top-tier university.
These accolades do not happen by accident. Led by our dedicated faculty and staff, students receive a world-class education that prepares them for success following graduation. As our enrollment continues to grow, I’m very appreciative of our entire campus community — all are committed to providing the best experience possible for our students.
Our 2024 fall semester freshman class is the fourth largest in the University’s history and the second largest in the past decade following Fall Semester 2023 and with a record-breaking freshmen enrollment. The University’s overall enrollment is more than 10,000 students for the first time since 2017 and the recruitment and retention of our students continues to be a primary focus.
In this edition of the Blue & Gold magazine, you will read more about the many capital projects taking place as we are transforming Murray State University. We are grateful to the General Assembly for a record amount of appropriated funds for the construction of a new Veterinary Sciences building, Learning Commons/Residential Hall and School of Nursing and Health Professions building, as well as renovations to our statewide Program of Distinction in Cybersecurity and Network Management.
Also in this edition, you will read more about our ongoing Be Bold: Forever Blue & Gold Centennial Campaign, as we are nearing our $100 million fundraising goal. We are extremely grateful for your generosity and support as we continue to advance Murray State.
Finally, as you may be aware, I recently announced my retirement as Murray State president, effective June 30, 2025. Since August 2018, I have had the privilege of serving my Alma Mater as president. There is no greater honor in higher education and this service has been the capstone of my professional career. But, everything and everyone has a season, and Karen and I are looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, traveling and enjoying our next chapter of life.
Importantly, no one does these jobs alone and I am very grateful to Karen, our administrative team, the Board of Regents, faculty, staff, alumni and friends, and especially, to our students — these are the individuals who make our University a special place.
Please pardon the inconvenience due to the progress being made in the months to come through these significant enhancements to our campus which will benefit thousands of students in the years ahead. The future is very bright and many opportunities remain in front of us. Go Racers!
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert L (Bob) Jackson,
’85 President
Bob and Karen Jackson
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 Racer Report
Catch up on some of the latest news and accomplishments at Murray State University.
6 Transforming tomorrow
A multitude of capital projects and enhancements are strategically modernizing campus while writing a bold new chapter for the start of Murray State’s second century.
8 Reaching the finish line
Generous alumni push historic Centennial Capital Campaign close to $100 million goal.
10 Mental health matters
Even at the finest place we know, times can get challenging. When they do, Murray State University has resources to offer its students, faculty, staff and the campus community.
12 Giving back with a heart toward the future
Racer alumnus transforms the community with an innovative education center.
14 Amazing times – Morant becomes Racer Hall of Famer on Hoopalooza weekend
From small town to Murray, Kentucky, and to NBA stardom, Ja Morant’s career arrived at the next milestone this past July at his induction into the Murray State Hall of Fame.
16
Homecoming 2024
Racer alumni from near and far celebrated Homecoming 2024 with a variety of special events and traditions.
19
Alumni News and Class Notes
Discover recent news about Racer alumni (more than 80,000 strong!) throughout the world, including this year’s Golden Horseshoe Award winners and the Raising Racers initiative.
After many years of loyal and dedicated service and 43 years of association with his Alma Mater, Dr. Bob Jackson has announced his retirement as president of Murray State University effective June 30, 2025. He will continue his employment as president emeritus and assist with a future transition and as a special advisor to the Board of Regents through a future date.
Jackson has served as president since August 7, 2018, and has held other administrative roles including president of the Murray State University Foundation, Inc. Both President Jackson and his wife, Karen, are alumni of the University.
Under Jackson’s leadership, Murray State University has experienced significant growth and success in its mission to advance higher education in our region, state and nation. The University developed a renewed focus on recruitment and retention of students, advanced new academic programs, enjoyed athletic successes and changes, enhanced the look and design of campus with a new School of Nursing and Health Professions building under construction, a Veterinary Sciences building, a Learning Commons and new Residential Hall funded and in design, along with the recent acquisition of Station SeventyFour at Murray State University.
In addition, Jackson has focused
on campus improvements, deferred maintenance and preservation of our historic buildings such as major renovations to Lovett Auditorium, Wrather Hall, Curris Center, the bronze statues of Racer One and Dr. John W. Carr on campus and the development of Woods Park, among others.
Jackson has focused much of his professional career in higher education and as a state senator in ensuring adequate funding and access and affordability in higher education. In addition, a School of Veterinary Medicine continues to be planned at Murray State. The University is also working toward a Medical School campus in partnership with the University of Louisville. Murray State was recently named the #1 Best Value School in the South by U.S. News and World Report.
“Serving as president of my Alma Mater has been a lifetime honor and the capstone to my professional career,” said Jackson. “I am deeply grateful for this opportunity. But, everything and everyone has a season, and Karen and I are looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, traveling and enjoying our next chapter of life.”
Jackson continued, “These have been very busy years for both of us and we are very proud of the many accomplishments during our tenure.
Being a university president provides few breaks and little down time.”
“Importantly, no one does these jobs alone and I am very grateful to Karen, our administrative team, the Board of Regents, faculty, staff, alumni and friends, and especially, to our students - these are the individuals who make our University a special place. The future is very bright and many opportunities remain in front of us,” Jackson added.
During his tenure, Jackson guided the University through the pandemic, has overseen many significant changes including new academic buildings, celebrated the Centennial of Murray State University and co-authored our centennial history, The Finest Place We Know. He oversaw the launch of a $100 million centennial capital campaign with over $96 million raised today.
Chair Leon Owens states: “Dr. Jackson’s retirement marks the end of a historic period of leadership, change and innovation for Murray State University. We have three new buildings either under construction or in a planning stage, totaling nearly $150 million along with deferred maintenance projects, campus improvements and facility enhancements totaling over $100 million coupled with important academic enhancements. Dr. Jackson has left a lasting mark, and we are very grateful for his many years of service. It has been an honor to serve with him.”
The Board of Regents will begin a search for his successor, ensuring a smooth transition and the continuation of the University’s important work for our region, state and nation.
Jackson is a former Kentucky state senator and president of the Murray State University Foundation, Inc. Karen is a retired registered nurse and both are alumni of the University. They are the parents of Nolan Jackson and his wife Nikki, and Mariel Jackson Gibson and her husband, Dr. Andrew Gibson, all of whom reside in Washington, DC.
Dr. Bob Jackson announces his retirement
Dr. Robert L Jackson, Murray State University’s 14th President
Murray State University recognized nationally by U.S. News & World Report for 34th consecutive year and earns #1 “Best Value School” designation in the South region
Murray State University has again been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top universities in the country in multiple categories, marking the institution’s 34th consecutive year of top-tier rankings by the national college guide.
While the University has been ranked highly in the regional “Best Value School” category in past years, Murray State earned the #1 “Best Value School” designation in the South region this year.
Further, Murray State ranked as the top Kentucky public regional comprehensive institution in the South in categories including Regional Universities, Top Public Schools, the aforementioned Best Value Schools and Best Colleges for Veterans.
Murray State ranks in the South region as follows, each of which are increases from the previous year:
1st - Best Value Schools (#9 last year)
8th - Top Public Schools (#13 last year)
20th - Regional Universities (#31 last year)
7th - Best Colleges for Veterans (#11 last year)
Top 150 Performers on Social Mobility
Murray State has also been recognized as a top university in undergraduate academic programs of business, computer science, engineering, nursing and psychology.
Recognized as one of America’s best college values, Murray State has been recognized nationally for both quality and value this fall by the following publications:
Washington Monthly
“Best Bang for the Buck” Wall Street Journal
“Best Colleges in the United States” Niche
“Best Colleges in Kentucky” Colleges of Distinction a “2024-25 Best College”
Murray State University welcomes one of its largest freshman classes in history, overall enrollment is the largest since 2016
Enrollment data in several key categories reflect continued increases and positive momentum at Murray State University for the 2024-25 academic year, which began on Aug. 20.
Based on University data, this year’s entering freshman class is the fourth largest in the University’s history and the second largest in the past decade, following last fall’s record-breaking freshmen enrollment.
Below is a snapshot of the Fall 2024 freshman class:
Murray State freshmen hail from 24 states
62% of new freshmen are from Kentucky and come from a total of 78 counties in the commonwealth
60% of this year’s freshmen have entered the University with earned credit hours toward graduation
Nearly 11% of this year’s freshmen were named high school valedictorians
The University’s overall enrollment of 10,035 reflects a 5% increase from last fall and is the largest overall enrollment since 2016.
Murray State students come from 49 states, 53 countries and 115 Kentucky counties, and 44% are first generation college students.
Incoming transfer students reflect a 7.8% increase from last fall and is the largest entering class of transfer students since 2020, while overall international student enrollment indicates a 28% increase from last fall. Murray State’s overall undergraduate student enrollment has grown since last fall and is the largest since 2018.
Campus and greater community treated to several special events
The McGaughey Lecture on Press Freedom and Responsibility hosted by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications welcomed KET Public Affairs Director Renee Shaw on Sept. 19. Shaw is well known to media and political audiences in Kentucky. A veteran political reporter with 30 years of experience, her leadership in producing KET’s legislative coverage has been recognized both statewide and nationally.
The event was created by the McGaughey Fund for Excellence in Journalism and Mass Communications which was established in 2020 through a generous bequest from the late Robert H. “Doc” McGaughey.
The Department of History hosted Civil War historian Don H. Doyle, University of South Carolina Professor Emeritus of History, for the seventh annual Sid Easley Lecture on Sept. 23.
The Department of History’s lecture series is named in honor of Sid Easley, Murray State alumnus, former Murray State University Board of Regents chair, the first Golden Horseshoe Award recipient and long-time supporter of the Murray State Department of History.
Doyle’s lecture was based on his new book entitled “The Age of Reconstruction: How Lincoln’s New Birth of Freedom Remade the World,” a history of how the outcome of the American Civil War inspired democratic reforms, revolutions and emancipation movements in Europe and the Americas. Departing from the traditional domesticoriented narration of the Civil War and its aftermath, Doyle takes a fresh approach to this history by telling the story of how these events not only shook up American society but also had huge reverberations around the world.
Murray State welcomed retired NASA Astronaut and trailblazing electrical engineer Joan Higginbotham for “Commanding the Unknown: Leadership and Stress Management from Space to Earth” as part of a speaking series sponsored by Bacon Farmer Workman on Sept. 26. The event is part of a leadership series titled “Leadership by Design,” led by Murray State alumnus and BFW/Marcum Engineering Executive Vice President Mark Workman.
A retired NASA Astronaut, Joan Higginbotham flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 2006 and became the third African American woman to travel into space. On the nearly 13-day mission, the seven-member crew continued construction of the International Space Station, embarking
on four space walks with Higginbotham operating the station’s robotic arm.
A real-life rocket scientist, her journey with NASA began in 1987 as an aerospace technologist at the Kennedy Space Center where she soared through the ranks and participated in 53 space shuttle launches from the firing room. Selected as a NASA astronaut candidate in 1996, she logged more than 308 hours in space, retiring from NASA in 2007. After her 20 years at NASA, she has held leadership roles with numerous large companies and now runs her own aerospace consulting firm.
Murray State and the University Libraries hosted Chef Sara Bradley, a western Kentucky native and renowned chef, on Aug. 26. This was one of a series of community events at Wrather Hall this fall, surrounding the traveling Smithsonian Exhibit, FOOD: Transforming the American Table. Bradley, a native of Paducah, Kentucky, has made a name for herself not only as the proprietor of the popular restaurant Freight House in Paducah, Kentucky, but also as a finalist in two seasons of Bravo’s Top Chef. Most recently, she was crowned the winner of the Food Network’s 2023 Chopped: All-American Showdown. With over 20 years of professional cooking experience, Bradley is known for her innovative Southern dishes that embrace local ingredients, international inspiration and the stories behind food.
Do you know of a Murray State alumnus or alumna who would be interested in coming back to campus to speak with our campus or broader community? Let us know! Email msu.raceralumni@murraystate.edu.
Murray State University Police Department receives $1.1 million in funding from the Commerce Justice Science Byrne Justice Program
The Murray State University Police Department has received $1.1 million in funding from the Commerce Justice Science Byrne Justice Program. The funding is part of a successful Community Project Funding request and will assist the University’s police department
with communications and surveillance technologies to continue to serve the campus community.
The University’s police department holds accreditation with the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police and is staffed 24/7.
KET Public Affairs Director Renee Shaw
Murray State University awarded $1.5 million Department of Energy grant
Murray State University’s Office of the Provost was awarded a $1.5 million grant by the Department of Energy (DOE) to support the efficient and effective work consistent with the environmental cleanup and beneficial reuse of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant site.
The project goal is to develop information that the DOE’s Portsmouth/ Paducah Project Office (PPPO), its contractors and the public can use in decision-making for the environmental cleanup, beneficial reuse and public outreach at the Paducah site.
The project will focus on site repurposing, STEM activities in local high schools and public outreach as well as scholarship and creative activities for faculty and students.
Site repurposing feeds into the end-state configuration for the site, and is expected to expedite real property transfer for future repurposing of the site, resulting in reducing the PPPO-managed footprint at Paducah. The Paducah site has been an important economic driver in western Kentucky for many decades, impacting the region’s socio-economic profile. As the Paducah site
undergoes environmental remediation and decontamination and decommissioning, it is expected that the Paducah site will further impact the region’s socio-economic profile, as well as growth opportunities. The extent to which decision-makers can minimize transitional stress and maximize the economic prospects for the area hinges greatly upon the cleanup and transfer of the Paducah site and site assets for other economic use.
The project will also utilize the Paducah site as a learning opportunity to promote careers in STEM disciplines to local high school students. Public outreach faculty/ staff members at Murray State will assist with focus of STEM activities and interactions with local high school teachers and administrators.
The project’s final focus will be on public outreach, including an update to “Community Visions for the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant Site,” a report finalized in September 2011 by the Kentucky Research Consortium for Energy and Environment. The process implemented in the study provided insights into a range of perspectives and community preferences related to the future use of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant site and
Hutson School of Agriculture receives prestigious
The Murray State University Hutson School of Agriculture (HSOA) was recognized by the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce with the prestigious 2024 Chamber of Commerce Agriculture award at the 2024 Annual Business Celebration Awards Ceremony.
surrounding DOE-owned properties. This step will involve several public meetings, workshops and training sessions. The updated report is expected to be available by March 31, 2026.
Murray State University hired Alex Sherwood as project director for the grant. Sherwood is no stranger to Murray State. A two-time Racer alumna, she holds a Bachelor of Integrated Studies in Organizational Communication and a Master of Science in Organizational Communication from Murray State. Sherwood also has five years of experience as an adjunct professor at the University in the Honors College, as well as in the organizational communication and leadership programs. She has more than 30 years of experience in the public relations field, including roles as community liaison, director of recruitment and career services and marketing and recruitment coordinator.
The longstanding collaboration between the HSOA and the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce has been instrumental in the growth and success of many of the efforts in the HSOA. The Breakfast on the Farm partnership is especially beneficial in connecting with the local community and showcasing the importance of agriculture in the region. This event not only provides educational opportunities for the public, but also fosters a sense of community engagement and support for the HSOA programs.
Additionally, the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce has been an important supporter of the Murray State University School of Veterinary Medicine proposal. With their assistance, Murray State University has made significant progress in bringing this proposal to fruition. The establishment of a veterinary school at Murray State University will not only enhance academic offerings, but will also greatly benefit the region by addressing the growing need for veterinary professionals. The support toward this initiative demonstrates the Chamber’s commitment to the development of the community and the agricultural industry as a whole.
2024 Chamber of Commerce Agriculture award
Pictured from left to right: President/CEO of the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce Michelle Bundren; President and CEO of The Murray Bank Bob Hargrove; Murray State Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs
Jordan Smith, and Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce Director of Membership Development Hailey Anderson.
Project Director Alex Sherwood
Transforming tomorrow
A multitude of capital projects and enhancements are strategically modernizing campus while writing a bold new chapter in the start of Murray State’s second century.
by Shawn Touney
Perhaps with the exception of the earliest days of Murray State University as the initial pieces of a new institution of learning in western Kentucky were constructed, is there another period in the University’s 100+ year history that held more large-scale capital projects and enhancements to campus than this one?
Current projects ranging from the construction of new academic buildings to campus and residential life enhancements are on the move, including focuses toward in-demand careers for students anchored in strategic economic and industry growth to support the region and beyond.
The 2024 state biennium budget included significant funding and support for Murray State, including a record amount of capital projects funding. Thanks to the hard work and support of many, approximately $250 million in capital project and asset preservation funding has been provided to Murray State University over the past two state budgets.
The next several years will be transformational as multiple new projects will be concurrently taking shape on the Murray campus. This is an exciting time not just for current Racers, but for future generations of students, as well.
Below is a snapshot of some of the strategic modernizations that are coming to campus.
New School of Nursing and Health Professions Building
With the field of healthcare growing and seeing more demand, the new facility will help Murray State continue to meet the needs in the region for healthcare professionals. In the 2022 legislative session, the Kentucky General Assembly approved $45.5 million in funding for
the construction of the building, which will be located on 16th Street, north of Faculty Hall. The three-story building will include offices, classroom and clinical spaces, a lobby, student lounges and common areas, simulation space and skills laboratories. Once open, Murray State University Health Services will be moved from Wells Hall to the new building. Estimated completion is 2026.
New Veterinary Sciences Building
With appropriated funding from the General Assembly in the 2024 legislative session, the new $60 million Veterinary Sciences Building will be located on the University’s West Farm off of College Farm Road, offering classrooms, offices, student services, an anatomy complex, teaching surgery, skills lab, field service/ ambulatory, lobby, equine teaching center, food animal teaching center and mechanical spaces.
Murray State continues to work with state legislators for the passage of new legislation that would establish a School of Veterinary Medicine and be housed within this new building. Murray State’s Hutson School of Agriculture has the largest estimated pre-veterinary medicine/ veterinary technology enrollment of any university in Kentucky, and is just one of three programs in Kentucky that is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Estimated completion is 2027.
New Living/Learning Commons Building
Located on the residential side of campus across from the Susan E. Bauernfeind Wellness Center, this new $38 million facility would include a Student Success Center, classrooms, student group meeting space and residential housing with potentially one or more dining options. As University enrollment continues to
grow, the new facility will further modernize campus housing while meeting the needs of an increasing number of students who are choosing to live on campus. Estimated completion is 2026.
Construction, renovation and operations for the Cyber Education and Research Center
A total of $10 million in state funding will provide support for Murray State University’s statewide Program of Distinction in Cybersecurity and Network Management for the construction, renovation and operations for the University’s Cyber Education and Research Center within the Collins Industry and Technology Center.
The Cybersecurity and Network Management program has experienced an 84% enrollment growth rate in its bachelor’s degree program in just three short years.
Station Seventy-Four at Murray State University
Acquired in June 2024, Station Seventy-Four at Murray State University officially opened to students this fall semester and features approximately 270 beds in various apartmentstyle layouts. The acquisition of Station Seventy-Four at Murray State University assists Murray State as efforts continue with enhancing its student housing.
CFSB Center
Murray State Athletics unveiled its conceptual vision to uniquely re-imagine the CFSB Center in September. The home of Racer men’s and women’s basketball is anticipated to receive its first major renovation since the facility was opened in 1998. The significant eight-figure
project is focused on two key priorities of the athletics department — recruiting and revenue generation — and will be funded entirely through private donor contributions.
“Racer Nation knows better than anyone the magic of the CFSB Center on game day and the feeling you get witnessing where the greatest Racer legends made their name,” Murray State Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. “The vision for this massive project is all about preserving our tradition of excellence and enriching the experience to make sure each of our fans and their families will continue to make more memories for decades to come. Murray State is prepared for the possibilities in the ever-changing world of intercollegiate athletics. We will continue to prioritize recruiting and revenue generation through our plans and facilities, and this long overdue arena renovation is on the forefront of our strategic priorities. From an enhanced basketball game day experience, to concerts and new external
activation, our arena will now be one of the top entertainment hubs in our state.”
A primary vision of the entire project is on the enhancement of the overall fan experience and entertainment through new premium areas. For the first time in Murray State history, Racer fans will have the ability to watch a game from the comfort of premium seats that will be installed. The conceptual plans also include premium loge boxes throughout the top of the seating bowl that would create a world-class game day experience while providing luxurious, private spaces for entertainment, while additional ledge seating and new courtside opportunities will bring the fans closer to the action. Anticipated completion is in 2026.
Recent major renovations to Lovett Auditorium, Wrather Hall, Wilson Hall, Wells Hall, the Curris Center and the development of Woods Park, among other locations on campus, have had a transformational effect at Murray State, as well.
In addition to modernizing campus and supporting students to equip them with the experiences needed for successful careers following graduation, these projects will have a profound impact on the region and state as well. Based on a 2024 Economic Impact Report led by Murray State Professor of Economics Dr. Simone Silva, construction projects will generate more than $348 million in economic output activity from 2024-30.
“This is a transformational period of time at Murray State University as we work to improve and enhance our campus,” Murray State University President Dr. Bob Jackson said. “These key projects are strategic in nature and will benefit our students, faculty and staff, as well as our region, state and nation. We are very grateful to our state legislators for their support of Murray State, as we received a record amount of capital projects funding in the state biennium budget earlier this year.”
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Mike Perlow
Dr. Mike Perlow, the 2024 Murray State University Alumni Association Distinguished Professor, started his teaching journey at WaltonVerona Schools in Walton, Kentucky, after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Purdue University in 1970. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University in 1976, and went on to work as a registered nurse at Chandler Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
His career in nursing education started not long after that, as he taught as an assistant professor of nursing at Illinois Eastern Community College and then at the University of Evansville. While teaching nurses in the classroom, he also continued working in the field at Community Methodist Hospital in Henderson, Kentucky, and the Evansville State Hospital in Indiana.
He earned his Master of Science in Nursing in 1979 from the University of Evansville and then went on to pursue his Doctor of Nursing Science degree from Indiana University, which required a four-hour commute while earning his advanced education.
His teaching journey led him to apply to Murray State, where he was hired in 1984.
Perlow has spent much of his academic career teaching adult health nursing and nursing research. Students describe him as challenging, but caring. The content that he teaches can be difficult, but he always maintains an opendoor policy and welcomes the opportunity to help.
Each year, the alumni association recognizes the University’s Distinguished Professor as nominated by Murray State students. The award is reserved for those faculty members who have served the University unselfishly, have distinguished themselves professionally and have been recognized by students as outstanding teachers and mentors.
“A lot of the nursing faculty had Dr. Perlow as a professor,” said Dr. Dina Byers, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions. “We all agree that he is kind, patient and cares a lot about the students. We are thankful for the 40 years that he has given to Murray State University and to the nursing profession.”
Dr. Mike Perlow
Living/Learning Commons architectural rendering
Station Seventy-Four student housing
Generous alumni push historic Centennial Capital Campaign close to $100 million goal
by the Murray State Office of Development
Two years into its public phase, Murray State University’s Be Bold: Forever Blue & Gold Centennial Campaign has inspired unprecedented giving from alumni and friends from all over the country. In fact, the campaign seems to have entered the final stretch, having raised over $96 million dollars in gifts and commitments toward its $100 million goal. Half of these funds will benefit student access and support by increasing available scholarships for students with financial need and enhancing support services for students on campus. The other half will be designated for projects that bolster academic excellence, contribute to the strategic modernization of campus facilities and strengthen Racer Athletics.
“As Racers, we believe in the transformative power of education and community engagement,” said Dr. Tina Bernot, executive director of advancement. “Each contribution has a story behind it –stories of students overcoming obstacles, faculty creating innovative and solutionsfocused scholarships, and communities being uplifted. We are extremely grateful for your trust and support, and we look forward to sharing our continued progress with you.”
Visit murraystate.edu/giving or call the Murray State Office of Development at 270-809-3001 to make a gift to the University and help bring the Be Bold: Forever Blue & Gold Centennial Campaign across the finish line!
Racer Athletics receives largest gift in school history from Dill family
The Dill family’s connection to Murray State runs deep and wide. The late Mike Dill came to Murray State in 1978 to join the Racer basketball coaching staff. Marilyn Dill, then Marilyn Valentine, arrived on campus in the mid-1970s as a student, and upon graduating in 1979, began her
kindergarten teaching career at Murray Elementary. Mike and Marilyn’s two sons, David and Chris, carried on their father’s love of Racer Athletics and their mother’s alumni roots by both attending Murray State as student-athletes – David in the golf program and Chris in football. They both also met their spouses, Ashley (David) and Michelle (Chris), while attending Murray State. For the past two years, David has served as the national chair of the Be Bold Centennial Campaign council and is a 2015 Distinguished Alumnus and Trustee of the MSU Foundation. To say that the Murray State legacy is all-in-the-family for the Dills is an understatement.
In August, the Dill family channeled their connection to Murray State into the largest investment in the history of Murray State. With Racer Athletics having played such a foundational role in many of their lives, the Dill family has designated their seven-figure gift for Racer Athletics to support much-needed facility upgrades as well as support of resources that will enhance the student-athlete experience.
“This gift is transformational to the University and will advance the initiatives outlined in our campaign plans and take Racer Athletics to a new level,” said President Dr. Bob Jackson. “We are deeply grateful for this historic gift and greatly appreciate their longstanding commitment, friendship and support.”
Waldrop family gift supports younger generations from Mayfield and Graves County, Kentucky
A lifelong resident of Mayfield, Kentucky, Ralph T. Waldrop graduated from Murray State University in 1950 after serving with distinction as a pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II. It was at Murray State where he also met his wife and love of his life, Mary Julia Moore Waldrop. Waldrop went on to run a successful real estate business in Graves County for more than 60 years, and he and Mary Julia served actively in many areas of their community. Recognizing the important role that Murray State had played in both of their lives and wanting to give back to their community, they established the Waldrop Scholarship Fund to support students from Mayfield and Graves County in 1991. Over the years, both Ralph and Mary Julia supported the scholarship, along with other members of their family. Upon Waldrop’s passing at the age of 100, and with Mary Julia having passed in 1995, his estate made a significant gift to this scholarship, providing access to a Murray State education for students from their community with financial need for generations to come.
Ralph and Mary Julia Waldrop
Chris, Marilyn and David Dill
Badgett family makes new gift to significantly bolster teacher education opportunities
Building on more than 15 years of support of education and teacher training programs at Murray State, the Badgett Family and the J. Rogers Badgett Foundation recently made a significant multi-year commitment to Murray State’s College of Education and Human Services. This new gift will not only provide additional funds to three scholarship funds in the college that the family had previously established, but it will also create a new scholarship fund to help educators overcome barriers that sometimes prevent them from pursuing continued professional education. Moreover, the new gift will create three new endowed professorships – in Adolescent, Career and Special Education; Early Childhood and Elementary Education; and a Madisonville Educational Coordinator –as well as a new fellowship for graduate students in education training programs. With 74% of teachers in the 18-county western Kentucky region being graduates of Murray State, the Badgett Family’s generous new gift will impact the educational landscape across western Kentucky by making high quality educational programs available to scores of current and future teachers.
A record-breaking gift for the Hutson School of Agriculture
The largest estate gift received in the University’s history was made by the late Bill, ’49, and Merry Wadsworth Garrett of Winter Haven, Florida. The Garrett estate gift will benefit the Hutson School
of Agriculture and especially the area of veterinary sciences. Garrett graduated from Murray State University, where he met his wife Merry, in 1949 with a degree in agriculture, and he and Merry spent their working lives in the citrus industry in Florida, as well as in real estate development. Garrett also served his country as a tank gun operator during World War II, during which he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and received military honors. The Garretts’ estate gift follows many years of strong support for the Hutson School of Agriculture, recognized in 2011 with the dedication of the Bill and Merry Garrett Agricultural Education and Research Center at Murray State’s University Farm. Their estate gift will provide tremendous support for agriculture education at Murray State, including funding scholarships for veterinary science students, establishing an endowed professorship in veterinary science, as well as making resources available for internships, student research, faculty development and more.
Daughters of alumna Lois
McClure Kemp create scholarship in her memory
The late Lois McClure Kemp, ’57, believed that women could achieve anything with a good education and a strong work ethic. Wherever she went, she encouraged other women to explore their opportunities, pursue education and work hard to achieve their dreams. She also raised two entrepreneurial daughters, Jana Kemp and Mary Kemp Murray, who recently decided to honor their mother’s legacy by establishing a scholarship at her alma mater that would keep her memory and spirit alive for years to come. A native of Symsonia, Kentucky, Lois McClure Kemp devoted her professional life to home economics, beginning with her bachelor’s degree from Murray State. After winning a national
4-H scholarship and then working for the Madison County, Kentucky, extension, she went on to earn a master’s degree in early childhood development through a 4-H fellowship to the University of Maryland in 1963. She was especially proud of her decades working in Minnesota for Byerlys (now Lunds & Byerlys) grocery stores as a home economist, retiring at age 70.
Local Kentucky teacher leaves legacy at Murray State
Patricia “Pat” Walters retired from a long and successful career teaching English and Humanities in Hopkins County, Kentucky. She had earned her Master of Arts in Education from Murray State in 1971 at the age of 31, and upon her passing last year, she left a generous gift to the University’s Department of English and Philosophy. Her legacy of inspiring students throughout her teaching career will live on as her gift will be used to support student scholarships and educational programming.
Murray State’s director of choral activities memorializes sister with gift to music department
Dr. Bradley Almquist, Murray State University professor of music and director of choral activities, recently made a generous gift to allow the Department of Music to purchase a new Yamaha P-22 piano so that vocal and instrumental music students will have a high-quality new piano to use for practice. This gift will help the department begin to replace several of its older pianos, many of which are more
The Badgett Family
Bill Garrett
Lois McClure (center) and her family
Pat Walters
Dr. Bradley Almquist
Mental health matters
Resources are available to Murray State students, faculty, staff and the campus community
by Dani Ray
Even at the finest place we know, times can get challenging. When they do, Murray State University has resources to offer its students, faculty, staff and the campus community.
The University has three pillars of mental health resources: the University Counseling Center, the Psychological Center and TimelyCare.
The University Counseling Center
The University Counseling Center, located in Suite C104 of the Oakley Applied Science Building, is available for Murray State students only. The Counseling Center offers individual counseling, typically on an every other week basis, couples counseling and group counseling by licensed mental health providers and graduate students under supervision. The center has four full-time counselors plus Director of University Counseling Services Dr. Angie Trzepacz, as well as four counseling interns.
A licensed psychologist, Trzepacz has worked at Murray State for 16 years and has three children, all of whom have attended the University, so she knows first-hand the struggles and stresses that students face.
“I have always been interested in why people think and behave the way they do, with a special interest in self-esteem and self-confidence,” said Trzepacz. “So many of our students are trying to overcome
situations that have negatively impacted their feelings about themselves, and I really appreciate the opportunity to help those students gain confidence and start to believe in themselves. When our clients learn to treat themselves the way they would treat a friend, it can make all the difference in how they feel about themselves, which increases their chances of being successful students and gives them hope for the future.”
Services at the University Counseling Center are all free and confidential, and the center helps students with short-term or long-term issues using both face-to-face and virtual sessions. On-call counselors are also available. To learn more, call 270-809-6851 or visit murraystate.edu/CounselingCenter.
The Psychological Center
The Psychological Center, located in Suite 401 of Wells Hall, is available to faculty, staff, students and community members. The center offers weekly individual counseling, family or couples counseling, and psychological assessments. On-call services are also available. All services are provided by graduate students supervised by licensed clinical psychologists. Counseling services are free for faculty, staff and students. Services are provided for a sliding scale fee for community members. Sessions are typically conducted face-to-face. Psychological assessments are offered for $50 for faculty, staff and students and for a sliding scale fee for community members. To learn more, call 270-809-2504 or visit murraystate.edu/PsychologicalCenter.
TimelyCare
TimelyCare, Murray State’s newest mental health partnership, is a free resource for students only and can be accessed at timelycare.com/murraystate. TimelyCare offers individual counseling, limited psychiatric services and self-help resources. Counseling services are available by
appointment; however, some services, like TalkNow and self-help resources, are available any time, day or night. Sessions are conducted virtually and can be accessed from anywhere in the country. Scheduled counseling is provided by licensed mental health providers. To learn more, call 833-484-6359 or visit timelycare.com/murraystate.
MSU Matter: Racers Care
In addition, the topic of the University’s current Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is mental health, called MSU Matter: Racers Care. As part of this initiative, the University has increased signage across campus to help students locate the mental health services they need.
Dr. Alyx Shultz, head of the agricultural science department and co-chair of the QEP, said, “MSU Matter: Racers Care is important for Murray State students because as members of the greater Murray State University family, we’re not just here to learn classroom knowledge and skills, we’re here to learn and grow and support one another as a community. The MSU Matter: Racers Care highlights that important piece.”
Dr. Jamie Rogers, director of the Murray State University School of Engineering and co-chair of the QEP with Shultz, said the plan will span five years.
“Our goals are to enhance the culture on campus that fosters awareness and understanding of mental health and overall well-being and its importance to students, faculty and staff and to work to strengthen students’ skills related to mental well-being,” said Rogers.
The University has also partnered with The Green Bandana Project, an initiative that aims to reduce the risk of mental health crises and suicide through increasing awareness of mental health resources and empowering students to reach out for help. To learn more about The Green Bandana Project, visit thegreenbandanaproject.org.
A new partnership
The University also announced a new partnership earlier this fall semester with Murray-Calloway County Hospital as the campus health services provider for students, faculty, staff and the campus community. The partnership, which began in mid-October, is located within the first floor of Wells Hall on the University’s campus and operates as a satellite office of Murray Medical Associates. Medical personnel and staff are on site Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during spring and fall semesters. Complimentary transportation between campus and Murray-Calloway County Hospital’s main clinic is provided as needed.
Other resources
Murray State also offers various pet therapy sessions throughout the school year. Times and locations can be found in the weekly Racer Nation Information email. The Susan E. Bauernfeind Wellness Center is also a free resource for students looking to get active, a key component of good mental health. The wellness center has morning and evening group fitness classes Monday through Thursday, offering everything from yoga to spinning to Zumba to high intensity interval training. Faculty and staff may also
purchase memberships to the wellness center.
Finally, University Counseling Services offers a Zen Den for student use. This cozy, quiet space can be reserved for 30-minute increments when students need a private place to relax. The room is equipped with a giant beanbag chair, a weighted blanket, noise-canceling headphones, aromatherapy, a noise machine, a light box, coloring books, stuffed animals for hugging and some fun books to read.
than 50 years old. Almquist said that his gift was inspired by his memory of his late sister, Sharilyn, who found joy and healing throughout her life from music.
In addition to this recent gift, the Almquist family has previously memorialized Sharilyn by establishing the endowed Sharilyn Dawn Almquist Memorial Voice Scholarship in 2006 to assist students majoring in vocal music. With this new gift to allow the department to purchase a piano, Almquist shares his late sister’s love of music in yet another way to benefit Murray State students who share that passion.
Two new scholarships in the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business
Mason and Wilma Billington wanted to celebrate the professional success of their two sons, Jon and Phil, who both earned Bachelor of Science degrees in business
from Murray State, by assisting the next generation of students who will follow in their sons’ footsteps. Although not Murray State alumni themselves, Mason and Wilma saw how their sons’ education in Murray State’s Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business enabled them to progress from their hometown roots growing up in Calloway County, Kentucky to successful careers in the accounting field. Jon, who was a 1987 Magna Cum Laude graduate, has been a longtime partner with Andersen
and Ernst & Young, as well as Chief Financial Officer at several healthcare and consumer products companies. Phil, a 1990 Summa Cum Laude graduate, currently serves as Senior Vice President of HCA Healthcare in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Billington’s gift will help the next generation of accounting professionals from Calloway County by easing the financial burden of their college education. Another family also recently established an endowed scholarship for students majoring in accounting, this one specifically for students from Lyon County, Kentucky. Although this generous family would like to remain anonymous, their gift will have a huge impact on students in the College of Business for years to come.
Jon, Wilma, Mason and Phil Billington
University Counseling Services’ Zen Den
Centennial Capital Campaign (cont.)
Yoga class at the Susan E. Bauernfeind Wellness Center
Giving back with a heart toward the future
Racer alumnus transforms community with innovative education center
by the Murray State Office of Development
At a town hall meeting in Henderson, Tennessee, in 2021, county officials invited the public to share their opinions on how best to use recently acquired dollars allocated due to the COVID-19 pandemic to address the needs of their community. They challenged Henderson community members to propose ideas and solutions for how they could work together to produce the greatest impact. One citizen in particular, a retired president of a technical college in Georgia, Dr. Carlos Schmitt, ’63, ’64, had prepared a presentation for the meeting, and he happened to be called first up that night to share it. Little did he realize that day how this meeting would change his life and the lives of so many others in Henderson.
Schmitt has led a life of service dedicated to education. As a student at Murray State in the early 1960s, Schmitt was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Industrial Arts Club and Epsilon Pi Tau. He met his wife at Murray State University; Janice Schmitt (Dorothy Janice Barnes) studied elementary education and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1964 from Murray State and earned a master’s degree in elementary education from Michigan State University in 1970. Schmitt earned two degrees from Murray State, a bachelor of science in industrial education (1963) and a master’s degree in secondary education (1964). He then went on to earn a doctor of philosophy in industrial education from Michigan State University in 1971.
Schmitt had a storied career as a high school teacher and private industry production supervisor, later serving various universities and colleges from Michigan down to Florida International University as a professor and administrator. His final position in higher education was president of Flint River Technical College (1988-2001) in Thomaston, Georgia, until his retirement. Janice taught at many elementary schools and finished her career teaching for the Thomaston-Upson County Schools in Georgia. Together, they were married for 48 years and dedicated their lives to education at every level. Their support carried beyond the classroom, as they established a scholarship with the Murray State University Foundation, the Dr. Carlos and Janie Barnes Schmitt Endowed Scholarship, to support future educators. Janice passed away in 2012 and left behind a lasting legacy of public service and impact on others. Carlos and Janice have one daughter, Carla Schmitt, and a grandson. Carla has continued the family tradition, working in education, and serves in an administrative role for Keestone Academy (more to come on this later) in Henderson.
Schmitt attests that childcare and education centers are not a money-making business if done right. Keestone Academy is a nonprofit corporation. Schmitt personally funded the purchase, start-up costs and operations himself.
Says Schmitt: “This is my commitment. This is my charitable commitment to my community. I am donating time and effort to these kids who are our future.”
Back to that 2021 Town Hall meeting in Henderson, Tennessee … Schmitt took his turn at the podium by sharing an idea to utilize the available state and federal funding allocated from the COVID-19 pandemic to expand the Chester County Technical School. He shared research and statistics on workforce development and made a strong case that this investment of public funding would make a tremendous and positive difference for their community. When he finished, he sat back down to listen to other community members there at the meeting to present their ideas.
Schmitt was surprised, perplexed and inspired by what he heard next. One family after another came up to advocate and ask for more childcare options. Their emotional stories conveyed a deep community need beyond part-time options like the Mother’s Day Out programs offered by local churches. They provided economic impact and workforce data, health implications from the lack of services, the desperate need for childcare and pre-K educational opportunities, the underserved population of children, rigid scheduling and unavailability of spaces and more.
They begged for regulated, quality, full-time childcare programming.
Schmitt decided that night, at that town hall meeting, that his second act would be to open a new state-of-the-art childcare center to meet the needs of his community.
Schmitt purchased a vacant former assisted living facility in Henderson and transformed it into the facility he knew his community needed. He brought on a full-time director early in the process and the two of them did all of the work. In just months they moved mountains in every way — especially in meeting and exceeding state regulations — and opened Keestone Academy, named for his grandson, Keegan, in January of 2022, providing fulltime licensed child care with flexible scheduling for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
Today, Schmitt has 30 staff and emphasizes that his personnel are the key to success. He is committed to providing fair pay but states that even still, it is difficult to find staff who are properly trained in childcare. He still thinks about the benefits of an expanded technical school certificate program to provide online courses, background checks and hands-on training – there is a tremendous need for professionals, including childcare providers.
“We are an education center,” said Schmitt. “We start activities that are developing the mind. We want a learning experience for every child here, every single day.”
Schmitt says that we, along with the parents, provide their children with the foundation for learning. His education center can make a difference by preparing these children for elementary school.
The community has been overjoyed by the addition of Keestone Academy as it currently serves 140 children. Keestone has also added after-school care for elementary school children. The need for quality childcare in rural Tennessee is great – Schmitt asserts it to be a national issue. He seeks an educational credential series to be put in place that would be a feeder program for teacher education programs. Students could learn pre-K and early childhood as a pathway leading them to grade school and beyond.
During a tour of the facility, toddlers and young children yell out “Papaw” as Schmitt walks by them … they all know him and smile at him lovingly. The way they respond to him shows that Schmitt is a hands-on presence at Keestone. The center offers science and art rooms, a library, music and craft rooms and a designated faculty workroom.
As we were touring, Schmitt reminisced that a preschool craft project spurred his interest in studying industrial education at Murray State University. He was deeply inspired by the impact of education very early on in his life. His own life experience has shown him that educational experiences in early childhood can have profound and lasting effects on children.
Keestone Academy is not Schmitt’s first experience with childcare centers. He recalls his time as president of Flint River Technical College and his push to open a childcare center on that campus. Many of his students were commuter students, and their major barrier to earning a credential was the lack of affordable and available childcare. He tied his vision for this facility to the institution’s education programs by establishing an associate’s degree offering to prepare students to work in the childcare industry. His work to establish this center on his campus, aptly named Tender Tech, became the model for other technical colleges in the Georgia higher education system. He recalled how his staff spent their weekends training employees for these childcare centers. Schmitt would eventually assist in the opening of four childcare centers for counties served by the college throughout central Georgia.
Schmitt hopes Keestone Academy becomes a model for west Tennessee. He understands that the state regulations in place are important for child safety and thinks he has developed a program and trained staff to ensure that parents’ expectations are met and exceeded as much as possible.
Through the course of his amazing career, Schmitt has served students from 6 weeks old through adult students seeking higher education credentials. He sees that if you open doors for people and prepare them for good-paying jobs, it benefits all. His intended impact from his Town Hall speech is making a difference – just through a different area of investment from the pitch he delivered that night.
He laughed as we ended our tour and our visit, saying, “I had not planned on this …” While Schmitt may say that this is his second act – we would say that educating and caring for learners of all ages has always been on his heart and has helped drive his professional success and tremendous impact on his community. Now, we wonder what he might do next for our future generations of learners. What will his third act be?
Amazing times
Ja Morant becomes Racer Hall of Famer on Hoopalooza weekend
by Racer Athletics
From small town to Murray, Kentucky, and to NBA stardom, Ja Morant’s career arrived at the next milestone this past July at his induction into the Murray State Hall of Fame.
On Murray State men’s basketball Hoopalooza weekend, when this great collegiate program invites its alumni back to campus for fellowship, fun and memories of the playing years, Morant was honored as part of the 42nd class to the MSU Hall of Fame.
The members of the 2024 class included: Daniel Calhoun (baseball, 2006-09), Becca Lamb (volleyball, 2007-10), Coach Velvet Milkman (women’s golf, 1993-22), Ja Morant (men’s basketball, 2017-19), Miyah Watford (women’s soccer, 2017-19), Quincy Williams (football, 2014-18) and Jack Wolf (football, 1967-71).
The weekend also included Morant hosting a few hundred kids for two days of basketball camp at the CFSB Center.
One of the highlights of the weekend included Murray State NBA greats, Isaiah Canaan, Cameron Payne and Morant, attending Hoopalooza for the first time together. All three are MSU Hall of Famers, have had their jersey numbers retired and all were NBA Draft selections: Canaan (2012), Payne (2015) and Morant (2019). Canaan (six NBA seasons) is in his 11th pro season in Serbia, Payne with the New York Knicks for his 10th NBA season and Morant, his sixth season with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The event marked the second MSU Hall of Fame induction at Racer Hoopalooza after Jonathan Stark was honored in 2023.
2013 marked the first Racer Hoopalooza when Coach Steve Prohm brought the idea to life. The event created an immediate connection between players and coaches across all eras of the program and with the loyal Racer fanbase.
Former men’s basketball Coach Matt McMahon, Ja Morant, Director of Athletics Nico Yantko and current Head Coach Steve Prohm
Murray State NBA greats Isaiah Canaan, Ja Morant and Cameron Payne
Dr. David Meinschein
Dr. David Meinschein was raised in Carrsville, Kentucky, and considers Rural Route 3 a place that has kept him grounded throughout life. The son of a preacher, his parents Allan and Jane Meinschein instilled a value for education and passion for lifelong learning. Upon graduating from Livingston Central High School, Meinschein began what is arguably the most informative period of his life, becoming a Murray State Racer.
Meinschein was a Biology major while at Murray State University and a member of the MSU ROTC Racer Battalion. There, while in the front leaning rest (pushup) position, he looked up and saw his future wife Mary and knew that he had found the love of his life. Mary graduated first with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and then Meinschein with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Meinschein was commissioned through the Murray State University ROTC program and served on active duty in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne and the 25th Infantry divisions completing the Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Upon leaving the Army, he went to work briefly at Anheuser-Busch as an experimental and research brewer, and then a telecommunications company out of California’s Silicon Valley that provided the first DSL internet access in the country.
Meinschein is currently in his fourth
year as superintendent of Livingston County Schools. Prior to that, he served as the assistant superintendent of Ballard County Schools and as principal at Ballard Memorial High School.
Meinschein began his education career in Georgia as a teacher and administrator.
Meinschein has spoken at Monsanto, the Southern Regional Education Board, the Work Ready Community Communities Summit, the Kentucky School Boards Association, the Kentucky Association of Career and Technical Educators and the Kentucky Association of School Administrators conferences on school leadership and economic development. He serves on the Kentucky ACT Council and the 4-Rivers Foundation Board and has served on the Ballard County Economic Authority and West Kentucky Workforce Board Youth Committee. Meinschein served on the Dual Credit Work Group with the Council on Postsecondary Education and the Kentucky Department of Education on the state’s dual credit policy and funding model. Meinschein currently is a chair for the Kentucky Association of School Administrators Coalition to Sustain the Education Profession focused on teacher recruitment and retention.
In addition to a bachelor’s degree from Murray State, Meinschein has a master’s degree in education from Piedmont College, a specialist’s degree in leadership from Lincoln Memorial University, and Doctorate of Education
The Murray State Alumni Legacy Tuition Grant provides instate tuition to eligible out-of-state undergraduate children and grandchildren of Murray State graduates. *
For more information, please call 1-800-272-4678 ext. 2, email msu.recruitment@murraystate.edu or visit murraystate.edu/legacy.
in P-20 Leadership from Murray State University where prior to appointment to the Board of Regents he served as an adjunct professor.
Meinschein has received the William T. Nallia Award of Innovation in Education, the WKEC Superintendent of the Year award, the PEAK Award for educational achievement, the KY Tell Winners Circle Award, the Woodmen of the World Community Partner Award, the KY Colonel for educational leadership and the AUSA and George C. Marshall Awards for military leadership.
David and Mary have seven children: Ashley, Emily, Caitlyn, Sara, Ezekiel, Daniel and Rebecca – three of which are graduates of Murray State with two more that are enrolled as students.
Meinschein was appointed to the Board of Regents of Murray State University by Gov. Andy Beshear in July 2022. While on the Board, Meinschein has chaired the Enrollment Management and Student Success Committee.
Mary and Dr. David Meinschein
2024 Homecoming Parade
Former Student Government Advisor and Center for Student Involvement Director Jeanie Morgan was honored as the 2024 Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal (pictured above) Morgan retired from Murray State last spring after 48 years of service. She planned her first Homecoming parade in 1984, but for the first time in 40 years Morgan was the guest of honor. She was chauffeured by Murray State University Alumni Association Board of Governors member and former SGA President Derek Somerville ’98. Also pictured: Brandi Somerville ’98 (passenger seat) and Tressa Ross ’82, ’06 (backseat).
20 Grand Club
Miss MSU 1974, Greta Armstrong Mitchell, ’76, had not been back to Murray State in nearly five decades. Thanks to the coaxing of her family and friends, Mitchell made the trip from her current home in Florida back to Murray for Homecoming 2024 to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of her crowning as Miss MSU. As a Sigma Sigma Sigma alumna, Mitchell was driven by members of her family in front of the float designed by her Sigma sisters.
While living in Hart Hall in 1974, cousins Barry and Leon King had a vision for a student organization for Black men. Not a fraternity, but a club for men interested in social relevance, philanthropy and civic participation within Murray’s Black community. From that vision, the 20 Grand Club was born. The name was borrowed from a Detroit nightclub featuring the Motown sound of the day called ‘The 20 Grand.’
The initial organizers were looking for a diverse group of charter members who had a desire to give back to the community; who respected the individuality of others; who pledged to be there for each other and who had a sense of humility.
The founding members – in addition to Barry, the first president, and Leon, vice president – were Bruce Butcher, Joel Tyler, Lonnie Woodridge, Oscar Gaines, Ray Patterson and Ray Taylor.
For the next 18 years, the 20 Grand Club supported local churches, hosted turkey giveaways and awarded a yearly scholarship to a deserving minority student, in addition to other community service projects.
Alumni 20 Grand Club members celebrated the 50th anniversary of their founding during Homecoming 2024, hosting a ‘Party with a Purpose’ at Springhill Suites Saturday, Oct. 19. As a testament to their philanthropic spirit, remaining members of the group raised nearly $2,000 as part of the event to benefit the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund at Murray State.
Barry King (first row, third from left), Leon King (second row, second from right), Bruce Butcher (second row, far left), Ray Patterson (first row, far left), Ray Taylor (second row, far right) and Joel Tyler (first row, second from right) can be seen among other 20 Grand men in this photo taken from the 1976 Shield
A Taste of the Arts
The cast of Godspell (pictured) performed at the 2024 A Taste of the Arts dinner and live auction, along with other talented student groups. Proceeds from the fundraiser will provide scholarships to more than 30 students in art, music and theatre at Murray State. Awards were presented to alumni Carrie Stover, ’05, (Outstanding Fine Arts Alumni Award) and Leva Bates, ’03, (Outstanding Fine Arts Young Alumni Award). A special award for Outstanding Service to the Arts was presented to College of Humanities and Fine Arts Dean David Balthrop. The annual event is held the Thursday before Homecoming and is a significant source of financial support for fine arts students at Murray State University.
Board of Governors Fall Biannual Meeting
The Murray State University Alumni Association (MSUAA) Board of Governors held their fall biannual meeting Friday, Oct. 18. In addition to other business, the board unanimously voted to draft a resolution and call-to-action letter in support of the University’s bid for a School of Veterinary Medicine. Plans are also underway to create an additional MSUAA alumni network for Racer Band alumni. Current networks include the Black Alumni Network and the Young Alumni Network.
MSUAA Black Alumni Network Welcome and Networking Reception
The Murray State University Alumni Association (MSUAA) Black Alumni Network hosted a Homecoming Welcome and Networking Reception at Springhill Suites on Friday, Oct. 18. All event proceeds went to support the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund at Murray State. Ticket sales and additional donations, plus funds raised during the 20 Grand Club 50th anniversary celebration, netted nearly $4,700. This significant gift increased the Black Alumni Scholarship fund to more than $25,000, which will allow it to be endowed with the MSU Foundation.
Class of 1974 Golden Anniversary Reunion
The Class of 1974 celebrated their 50th anniversary Golden Reunion throughout Homecoming weekend. Class members traveled from as far as Pennsylvania, New York and South Carolina to enjoy a campus tour, a president’s reception, VIP seating at the parade, Tent City and special recognition during the football game.
Homecoming Court 2024
Pictured left to right: Murray State Student Activities Coordinator and SGA Advisor Kade Gambill, ’21, ’23; 2024 Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal Jeanie Morgan; 2024 Homecoming court attendants Hayden Murphy, Jenna Veatch, Jaylon Taggart and Ana Moyers; 2023 Homecoming King Bradley Dawson, ’24; 2023 Homecoming Queen Hannah York; 2024 Homecoming King Brendan Hawkins; 2024 Homecoming Queen Maggie Blazina; Homecoming attendants Andrew Orr, Jenna Kesselring, Anna Noles and Austin Randolph; First Lady Karen Jackson, ’84; Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson, ’85; SGA Homecoming Chair Kate Drueke and 2024 Miss MSU Gracie Conway.
Tent City
The unusually warm and sunny fall weather made for a perfect backdrop as thousands of alumni, students and their families celebrated Homecoming at Tent City.
first time in years.
Left: As music of all genres fills the air, you never know when a line dance may break out in the center of Tent City inside the walls of Murray State’s Roy Stewart Stadium.
College of Education and Human Services Outstanding Alumnus Dr. Robert Lyons
Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) honored Dr. Robert Lyons, ’89, ’93, ’01, with the Outstanding Alumnus Service Award during the annual COEHS Homecoming Breakfast at Murray Middle School Saturday, Oct. 19. The award recognized his 30 years of impactful service to area education, beginning at the high school level and continuing later in higher education, before his retirement in 2020.
Racer Football versus Illinois State University
First-year Murray State University Football Head Coach Jody Wright brings it in after a big play by the Racers during the Homecoming game against conference rival Illinois State University. Despite a strong effort by the Racers, the Redbirds came out on top 40-32. This is the 100th season of Murray State football.
Pictured are Baverly (Knox) Chatham ’78, Jamaal Gardner ’13 and Patricia (Porter) Gardner ’78.
Above: Murray State University Alumni Association Board of Governors member Tab Brockman, ’81 (left) spends time catching up with Jackie Sherrill after seeing each other for the
Pictured left to right: Nick Thompson, Shari Lydy, Dr. Carey Vinson, Barbara Brittain, Alan Parsons, Steve Rutland, Maria Cates and COL William Wilder
Murray State University Alumni Association celebrates 10 Golden Horseshoe Award winners
The Murray State University Alumni Association (MSUAA) honored 10 alumni on Sept. 20 at the Golden Horseshoe Luncheon.
The Golden Horseshoe Award honors alumni whose dedication to Murray State has contributed to the continued growth and excellence of Murray State through Universityheld positions and/or exceptional volunteer support. It is the highest honor the Murray State University Alumni Association bestows upon alumni for their service to the institution and, most importantly, the students.
Those honored include: Eric Crigler (’90), former chair of the Murray State University Board of Regents; Melissa Easley (’64, ’90), longtime supporter and volunteer; Susan Guess (’87), former chair of the Murray State University Board of Regents; Dan Kemp (’67), former chair of the Murray State University Board of Regents; Leon Owens (’14), current chair of the Murray State University Board of Regents; Gayle Rogers (’10, ’15), former president of the MSUAA Board of Governors; David Taylor (’82), longtime supporter of Murray State University Athletics; Dr. Don Tharpe (’74, ’75), former chair of the Murray State University Board of Regents; Harold G. Doran Jr. (’75), longtime member and former vice-chair of the Murray State Foundation Board of Trustees and Jerry Rhoads (’63), former chair
of the Murray State University Board of Regents.
“The Golden Horseshoe award is the highest honor we can bestow upon alumni for their service and commitment to the University,” said Murray State University President Dr. Bob Jackson. “We recognized an outstanding group and are deeply grateful for all that they have done and continue to do to advance Murray State University.”
“The Golden Horseshoe recipients we recognized this year epitomize Racer Pride,” said Murray State Director of Alumni Relations Carrie McGinnis. “For years, in some cases decades, these alumni have dedicated their time and talents to the growth and success of their beloved Alma Mater. Through their service above self, they have provided countless opportunities for Racers past and present, and left an indelible impact that will carry on for generations of students to come.”
These 10 names will join just 77 others over the last few decades on the Golden Horseshoe plaque located on the plaza level of the Sid Easley Alumni Center and in the Hall of Benefactors and Distinguished Alumni in Murray State’s Heritage Hall.
Raising Racers Legacy Program
The Murray State University legacy is a powerful thing – it’s a family thing. It is a blue and gold tie that binds Racers across generations. If you have ever hoped that one day your children or grandchildren would follow in your footsteps to attend Murray State University, the Murray State University Alumni Association has a legacy program that might just help you make the case.
The Raising Racers Legacy Program is designed to educate future Racer hopefuls about Murray State by providing age-specific gifts for milestone birthdays throughout their childhood. The MSUAA definition of a legacy is any child between the ages of birth and 18 lucky enough to have one or even two parents or grandparents who are Murray State alumni.
The program is free to alumni. Milestone gifts include a branded bib for babies, a pencil pouch for your kindergartener, a thermal lunchbox for kids entering third grade and several other surprises for legacy children all the way until their 18th birthday.
Brand new to the program, 3- and 4-yearold Raising Racers participants will now receive an age-appropriate children’s board book called Murray State University A-Z, published by Campus A-Z, a family-owned business based in central Illinois. 2018 Murray State alumna Megan Epperson, a freelance writer and former Murray Middle School teacher, worked with the Office of Alumni Relations and Campus A-Z to author the book.
A generous donation from Murray State University Foundation Board of Trustees
Chair Jerry Shroat and his wife, Betsy, made it possible for the MSUAA to purchase the book and offer it at no cost for program participants.
For more information or to register your future Racer for the Raising Racers program, visit murraystate.edu/raisingracers.
Scott, ’02, and Charlene, ’96, ’98, Fishback, along with their children, were featured on the front page of Kentucky’s East End Living Magazine. Published by Best Version Media, East End Living is an exclusive magazine serving the residents of Louisville’s East End.
Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services showcased its commitment to excellence in education during the annual Sparks Lecture earlier this year in Wrather Auditorium. The event celebrated the exceptional contributions of educators who have significantly impacted the lives of students. Among the honorees were Teresa Gore, ’00, ’04, recognized as the Outstanding Early Childhood Educator; Hannah Stark, ’01, ’07, for her remarkable dedication in elementary education; Patricia Murphy, ’10, ’14, ’18, for her excellence in middle school education; and Jacob Falwell, ’01, ’03, ’07, ’22, ’23, who was acknowledged for his outstanding service in high school education.
Ben Wilson, ’99, was recently named general counsel of The Viera Company, the developer of the Viera master-planned community in Melbourne, Florida, which has been ranked as a top-10 masterplanned community in the United States. Wilson is also the organizer behind the Kentucky Comedy Festival, now in its second year, which debuted on Murray State’s campus during the Fall of 2023 in Wrather Auditorium. The festival brings top national comedians to Murray and all proceeds support a scholarship fund established by Wilson for students who participate in intramural sports.
Dr. Julie Baker Finck, Ph.D, ’93, was recently recognized as one of Houston’s 50 most influential women in Houston Women’s Magazine. Finck serves as president and CEO of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation.
Matthew Hooks, ’23, was recently awarded a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship sponsored by the Department of Defense. His proposal investigates how birds use surface textures on their feathers to improve aerodynamic performance during flapping flight.
Tanelle Sawyer, ’18, was recently featured in Louisville Business First as part of the journal’s issue on Enterprising Women in the Louisville area. As the associate vice president of economic development within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Sawyer works to enhance partnerships that bridge opportunity gaps and boost economic mobility across the Commonwealth. Sawyer also serves as the president of the Young Professionals Association of Louisville. Sawyer returned to campus in August to serve as keynote speaker for the University’s annual Blue & Gold Celebration in Lovett Auditorium.
Dr. Travis Kruse, ’00, ’02, was appointed chair of the Board of Certified Safety Professionals Foundation. The mission of the philanthropic organization is to build a safer future by investing in research and education. Kruse is the senior director of safety and sustainability solutions strategy for W.W. Grainger Incorporated.
During a ceremony in Louisville, Judge Alan C. Stout, ’78, was honored by the American Bar Association, Judicial Division of the National Conference for Federal Judges, for his outstanding contributions to the administration of justice in the federal courts. Stout serves as the Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Kentucky, holding court in Louisville and Paducah.
Jennifer McCafferty, ’05, ’10, was named a Kentucky state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation’s highest honor for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science teachers. McCafferty is a fourth-grade science teacher at North Calloway County Elementary School. She is one of four teachers from Kentucky who were eligible for the award.
Will Hayden, ’91, was named president and CEO of First Kentucky Bank this past July. Hayden, who joined First Kentucky in 2016, brings 24 years of banking experience to his new role. In addition to his bachelor’s degree in business from Murray State, Hayden holds a master’s degree from the Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear reappointed Holly Bloodworth, ’85, ’92, to the state Board of Education. Bloodworth, the 2014 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, spent more than 30 years in K-12 education and continues to serve teachers as a member of the faculty at Murray State.
Jilon VanOver, ’01, stars in the 2024 war film “Murder Company.” The film, which also features Kelsey Grammer and Gilles Marini, is believed to be based on a true story about a group of U.S. soldiers involved in a secret World War II mission to smuggle a French resistance fighter behind enemy lines to assassinate a high-value Nazi target. “Murder Company” is now available on streaming services including Amazon, Google Video and Apple iTunes.
Two members of the MSUAA Young Alumni Network Top 22 Under 40 Class of 2024 were recently recognized at the national level during Alpha Delta Pi’s 173rd Anniversary Grand Convention. Whitney Choate, ’10, (top left) was awarded as the sorority’s Advisor of the Year and Jessica Beaty, ’10, (bottom right) was honored as the Young Alumnae Award recipient.
Dr. David Meinschein, ’94, ’17, a Murray State alumnus and current member of the Murray State University Board of Regents, has been named a 2024 William T. Nallia Educational Leadership Award recipient. Meinschein serves as the superintendent of Livingston County Public Schools. The award, presented by the Kentucky Association of School Administrators, honors individuals who have exhibited visionary leadership and made significant contributions to public education in Kentucky.
Several Murray State music alumni participated in ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy this past June. SFC Eric Stroupe, ’14, a bugler serving in the Army Reserve 81st Readiness Division based at Fort Knox, had the honor of playing “Taps.” Kevin Kortz, ’23, Austen Meyer, Aaron Beach, ’23 and Declan Bingham performed as part of the 100th US Army Band.
Ivan Roe, ’19, represented the United States as part of the U.S. Shooting Sports Olympic team in Paris this summer. Originally from Manhattan, Montana, Roe shot air and smallbore rifle for the Racers and was a seven-time All-American. After joining the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit in 2019, he continued his shooting career, earning gold in Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Position at the 2022 Championship of the Americas and securing a U.S. quota spot for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Dr. Stephanie (Bland) Clark, ’12, ’14, a Board-certified Animal Nutritionist for BSM Partners, co-hosts a new podcast called “Barking Mad.” The podcast delivers expert insights into the science behind pet nutrition, sharing inspiring stories and advice from successful entrepreneurs.
Cole Crocker, ’20, was selected by Tennessee business leaders and peers as one of Nashville’s Top 30 Under 30 professional and philanthropic leaders for 2024. Crocker serves as a financial advisor for Strategic Financial Partners.
Oral History Project
This year, the Murray State University Alumni Association partnered with Publishing Concepts, Inc. (PCI) to produce an oral history project for the University. PCI is a family-owned business that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years. This project allowed participating alumni to share their personal experiences from their time as a student at Murray State and how it helped shape their lives after graduation.
The story collection and data verification phase of this project ended in late October. During that six-month time period, PCI heard from more than 7,200 participants, recorded nearly 5,200 interviews and raised more than $11,000 in donations for Murray State’s Racer Traditions Fund. Ninety-six percent of the responding alumni surveyed said they had a positive experience throughout the process. The printed and digital version of the oral history book, In My Words, in addition to a website featuring audio versions of the stories shared, are expected to be published in the fall of 2025.
(Photo: U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit)
RESTART YOUR JOURNEY!!
Learn more about our adult degree completion program and new scholarship for returning Racers at
If you’ve completed two or more years of college, Murray State’s Integrated Studies program may be the right fit for you!
Convenient for students with busy schedules
In-person and online courses available
Five start dates offered each year
Wide variety of academic emphasis options to align with your career goals
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