News from Murray State University - Press Releases

Associate provosts named to fill vacancies at MSU Drs. Renae Duncan and Jay Morgan to begin work in provost office

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:13:47 -0700

Officials at Murray State University (MSU) have announced the appointment of Dr. Renae Duncan and Dr. Jay Morgan as associate provosts, effective July 1. They will work with Dr. Bonnie Higginson, who will officially become the provost and vice president for academic affairs at MSU on that same date.
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MSU to reap benefit of $1 million gift Jones follows former large donations with this newest initiative

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:35:22 -0700

For Dr. Jesse D. Jones his gifts to Murray State University (MSU) are all about the students. His latest donation of $1 million in April clearly demonstrates the commitment he feels toward those seeking higher education. And while chemistry is close to his heart, this newest gift will impact many more students than just those majoring in that subject.

Two major initiatives will be funded through Jones most recent gift equipment for the college of science, engineering and technology (CSET) and a Racer Writing Center in Waterfield Library.
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MSU establishes a School of Nursing

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:07:00 -0700

The Murray State University board of regents voted unanimously today at its quarterly meeting to establish a school of nursing, effective July 1, 2010. The department of nursing as an entity of the MSU college of health sciences and human services will roll over into a stand-alone academic school.
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Murray State University online M.B.A. program a Best Buy says GetEducated.com High quality buys under $15,000

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:05:56 -0700

Murray State Universitys (MSU) online M.B.A. program has been recognized by GetEducated.com as one of the top 21 Best Buys in the country and is the only Kentucky program to make the list. GetEducated.com, a consumer advocacy group, reviews and ranks the best of accredited online college degrees, with a focus on cost and credibility.

Coming in at 16th, Murray State is in the company of much larger universities on the High Quality Buys, All Under $15,000, including Oklahoma State, Ball State and the University of Memphis. MSUs appearance on the Best Buy M.B.A. list indicates that it offers a high quality online graduate program at an affordable cost for learners locally and across the U.S.

The online university affordability rankings from GetEducated.com are based on a comprehensive, independent survey of AACSB-accredited business schools, which together offer 133 M.B.A. degrees via distance education.
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Three new members appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear to MSU board of regents

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:04:38 -0700

Gov. Steve Beshear announced appointments last week to Murray State Universitys board of regents.

Education and economic development are two of the highest priorities of my administration, and that is why it is critical that we continue to appoint talented people to serve in these board positions, Beshear said. The people who will serve have a great responsibility to help guide higher education which in turn shapes our future workforce and economic success in Kentucky.

New members of the Murray State board are Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton of Moreland Hills, president of Cuyahoga Community College; Harry Lee Waterfield II of Frankfort, life insurance company executive; and Susan Shaffer Guess of Paducah, marketing director for Paducah Bank.
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MSUs Hancock Biological Station dedicates new pavilion

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Mon, 24 May 2010 10:09:00 -0700

Murray State Universitys Hancock Biological Station (HBS) on Kentucky Lake dedicated its new solar-powered educational pavilion prior to the end of the spring semester. Remarks at the dedication were delivered by Dr. Randy Dunn, MSU president; Dr. Steve Cobb, dean of the college of science, engineering and technology; and Dr. David White, HBS director and professor of biology. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was followed by the switch-on of the solar-powered lighting system.
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Morgans establish major endowment for mens basketball

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Mon, 24 May 2010 08:44:11 -0700

Tradition is a term Murray State University uses to describe its academics, architecture, athletics and annual events. The Morgan family of Benton, Ky., has been a part of both creating and continuing traditions at MSU since the universitys beginnings in 1922.

Tradition is what Bill Morgan, a 1950 MSU graduate and retired command pilot from the U.S. Air Force, and his wife, Irene, are helping continue with the Basketball Endowment for Success and Tradition (BEST) Fund. The fund seeks to raise $1 million to create an endowment for the mens basketball program, with funds targeted for fifth-year and summer school scholarships; increasing budgets for allowable recruiting expenses; and general enhancement of the basketball budget to allow the Racers to maintain and increase their position as one of the best NCAA Division I programs of all time.
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2010-11 Presidential Research Fellowships go to Loganathan and Locke

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:08:00 -0700

Two professors at Murray State University have been awarded Presidential Research Fellowships by the university. Receiving the award for 2010-11 are Dr. Bommanna Loganathan and Dr. Scott Locke.

The Presidential Research Fellowship Award is presented through the committee on International Studies and Research (CISR). Academic performance and promise are the primary criteria considered when selecting recipients. Project activity must include significant research or creativity.
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Reception for retiring MSU Provost Gary Brockway set for Thursday, April 29

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:07:00 -0700

Dr. Gary Brockway, Murray State University vice president for academic affairs and provost, will retire June 30 after 34 years with the university. A reception will be held in his honor Thursday, April 29, from 3-5 p.m. in the Pogue Library on campus. Campus and community members are invited to attend.
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MSU Wildlife Society team boasts success at 2010 Conclave

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:06:00 -0700

The Murray State University Wildlife Society had a successful weekend at the 2010 Southeastern Wildlife Society Conclave in Frostburg, Md. The team won third place in the Quiz Bowl competition and had two competitors place second in individual competitions.

Members of the 2010 Quiz Bowl team included David Farrell, who was team captain, along with Bryan Cobb, Santiago Martin, Molly Runyon and Virginal Singleton. Santiago Martin earned second place in the Lab Practical after a last-minute decision to enter the event. David Farrell won second place in the Dendrology Competition, an identification of woody vegetation.
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MSU recognized for its commitment to graduating students Selected as one of 15 schools across the nation in SREB report

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:05:04 -0700

The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) has released a report that cites Murray State University as one of 15 public colleges and universities across the nation that outperform most similar institutions in helping students stay on track to graduate.

These institutions are helping many students complete college degrees who otherwise often do not graduate, says Cheryl Blanco, an SREB vice president who co-wrote and researched the report with consultant Paul Bradley. The strategies theyre using can be adopted by other colleges and universities, and will guide state policy decisions to improve degree completion across the nation.
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Fister and Derting to present at National Academy of Sciences

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:56:10 -0700

Murray State University professor in mathematics and statistics, Dr. Renee Fister, and professor in biological science, Dr. Terry Derting, have been invited to present at the Beyond BIO2010 Celebrations and Opportunities Conference at the National Academy of Sciences (NSF) in May. The conference will be held in Washington, D.C.
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MSU Freshman Reading Experience features author Thomas Mullen The Last Town on Earth, a tale as relevant today as in its 1918 setting

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:53:18 -0700

The Last Town on Earth, a novel by Thomas Mullen, has been chosen by the provost office and members of the Freshman Reading Experience Committee as the 2010 Freshman Reading Experience Book at Murray State University. The book, along with its author, will be featured during Great Beginnings at the universitys New Student Convocation on Monday, August 16.

Incoming freshmen are asked to read the book prior to their arrival on campus this fall. In fact, the entire MSU community is encouraged to read it. Mullen will be the keynote speaker at the convocation, scheduled for 4 p.m. in Lovett Auditorium on campus. Prior to that, he will meet students and the general public, and sign books from 1:30-3 p.m. in Eagle Gallery, located on the sixth floor of the Doyle Fine Arts Building.
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Dr. Timothy B. Johns receives alumni associations Emerging Scholar Award

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:25:07 -0700

Dr. Timothy B. Johns, assistant professor of English, was awarded the Murray State University Alumni Associations Emerging Scholar Award for 2010. The award is intended to give special recognition for superior research, scholarly or creative work conducted by MSU faculty members who are in the early phase of their careers and who show professional promise.
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MSU switches to Federal Direct Loan Program - Begins with Summer 2010 semester

sherry.mcclain@murraystate.edu (Sherry McClain) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:00:14 -0700

As a result of many legislative changes over the past few years, as well as recent economic issues, Federal Family Educational Loan Program (FFELP) loans are often more costly to borrowers than Direct Loans, noted Lori Mitchum, director of financial aid and scholarships at Murray State University (MSU).

Additionally, many FFELP loans are being sold by lenders to the federal government. In keeping with Murray States mission to assist (students) with identifying and obtaining resources to finance higher education, financial aid staffers conducted extensive research to determine which program would be in the best interest of MSUs student and parent borrowers.

That research led us to the conclusion that the Direct Loan Program offers a better, more affordable, product, Mitchum said. Our decision to go to Direct Lending was made prior to the signing of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 by President Obama. The bill includes an amendment to student financial aid requiring all schools to go direct by July 1, 2010. Mitchum said Murray originally planned to go direct for the upcoming fall semester but, since the passing of the bill, is moving the start date to the Summer 2010 semester.

Starting with the Summer 2010 session, Murray State University will participate exclusively in the Federal Direct Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized student loans), Federal Parent PLUS Direct Loan and Federal Grad PLUS Direct Loan programs. Students and parents will be required to use the Direct Loan program for all federal student and parent loans.
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News from Murray State University - Press Releases

Associate provosts named to fill vacancies at MSU  Drs. Renae Duncan and Jay Morgan to begin work in provost office

MSU to reap benefit of $1 million gift  Jones follows former large donations with this newest initiative