The December 2015 Commencement ceremony recognized the achievements of 1,156 students, including approximately 145 international students.

Racer Holidays campaign funds scholarships

In December 2015, Murray State University issued a challenge for the campus community to create new opportunities for students. Racers jumped at the challenge, raising $19,391. The monies raised will be used to create 39 new student scholarships and study spots in the library. “Our Racers really rose to the challenge for our students,” explained Tina Bernot, interim executive director of development. “We had several individuals offer to match the generous donations raised during the campaign, including Murray State President Bob Davies, Tommy Blair, Todd Johnson and Keyla Palmer, Lana Porter, Michael Owen and Dick Weaver. The #RacerHolidays campaign was the University’s first-ever integrated crowdfunding campaign, utilizing multiple communications platforms in an effort to share a message of unity and celebration during the holiday season, while also raising funds for students. The campaign message — “Celebrating a season of global traditions. United as Racers.” — honored the University’s year-long 60th Anniversary of Desegregation celebration.

Diversity Pledge

Murray State’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Emerging Scholars Institute and Black Student

Council initiated the Diversity Pledge Challenge. Students initiated the diversity pledge to the Murray State community last fall. To date, the pledge has been signed by more than 1,000 students, faculty, staff and community members. Students in charge of the Diversity Pledge hope to have 5,000 signatures before April 1, 2016. The pledge has received signatures from President Bob Davies, Representative Derrick Graham, Senator Reggie Thomas, Renee Shaw of KET and Murray Mayor Jack Rose. “Students in the Emerging Scholars Institute had already signed the pledge at their fall orientation in August but wanted to demonstrate that Murray State University as a whole is committed to diversity,” said SG Carthell, senior director of diversity initiatives. Each person who accepts membership in the university community must realize that membership obligates him or her, regardless of roles and responsibilities, to commit to and practice several basic principles of diversity. These principles are to accept one another, learn from one another, create an atmosphere of positive engagement and challenge bigotry. The pledge and its results will be presented on April 1 at the Annual Ethnicity Symposium: How to Talk about Race.

Murray State literary faculty member named 2016 Pushcart Prize winner

New Madrid contributor April Ford was named a 2016 Pushcart Prize winner for her short story, “Project Fumarase.” As a result, New Madrid — the literary journal published by Murray State University’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program — joins the list of distinguished presses featured in the official index of the Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses.

Recent Murray State University graduate awarded inaugural KYCEC Outstanding ServiceAward for autism efforts

The Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children has awarded the Outstanding Service Award in the Field of Special Education to recent Murray State University graduate Ray Chumbler IV at the 2015 KYCEC statewide conference. The council created the new statewide award to recognize autistic students in Kentucky who are proactively advocating for those who have the disability. Chumbler has worked to educate the public about his disorder by giving several presentations on campus and establishing the Ray IV Autism Scholarship Endowment scholarship for Murray State students who are also on the autism spectrum.

Murray State Faculty Member Awarded Administrative Award

Tamela Darnell, a management consultant and administrative assistant for the Small Business Development Center at Murray State University, was named the Administrative Person of the Year by the Kentucky Small Business Administrative Center. Darnell received the award at the state conference in Lexington. A graduate of Murray State, she received her bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2008 and her MBA in 2012.

Murray State University doctoral student inspires via TEDx talk

Rob Carroll, Murray State University doctoral student and South Heights Elementary School principal in Henderson, Ky., was chosen out of over 100 applicants to give a TEDx talk in Evansville, Ind. His talk was entitled “Rebirth. Revival. Renewal. This Is Our Re:naissance.” and explained Carroll’s take on how to be a great leader, particularly for children.

Heather Raley, a star on the rise

Sigma Theta Tau International Inc., a nursing honors society founded in 1922, named Murray State University student Heather Raley as the recipient of the 2015 Rising Star award due to her demonstration of excellence and commitment to the betterment of the nursing profession.

Murray State University’s Martin Luther King Day of Service raised money for United Way and filled 50 boxes of donations for Calloway County nonprofit groups.

Murray State SMACS chapter achieves commendable status

Murray State University’s student chapter of the American Chemical Society (SMACS) has been selected as a commendable chapter for its activities conducted during the 20142015academic year. Kevin Miller, faculty advisor of the chapter, was also recognized with special commendation by the ACS for his great commitment of time and energy that a successful chapter requires.