National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza Constructed on Campus
Donors: Over 350 individuals and groups have contributed to this project since its inception in 2021 totaling $66,000 in gifts, in addition to a $70,000 contribution from the University
Donor Impact
Alumni Coupleβs Endowment Helps Bring Thousands of High School Students to Campus
Donors: Joe (β65) and Karen (β83) Owen
Anonymous gift makes transformational impact on music program
Anonymous Murray State alum
After Lifetime of Service, Beloved Professor Robert βDocβ McGaughey Leaves Lasting Legacy
Donors: The Estate of Dr. Robert H. βDocβ McGaughey
Long-Time Supporters of Music at MSU Bestow Major New Support on Racer Band
Donors: Gary and Barbara Morgan
2002 Distinguished Alumna Lana Porter Invests in Cyber Program and So Much More
Donors: Lana Porter (β65, β72)
Dr. Gene Wells Ray Culminates Lifetime of Giving with Major Commitment to Racer Basketball
Donors: Dr. Gene Wells Ray (β60) and Mrs. Taffin Ray, through the Gene and Taffin Ray Family Foundation
Philanthropy and Leadership Collective Launches at Murray State
Donors: Founding Members: Whitney Bechtel, β06, Nancy Becker, β63, Dr. Tina Bernot,β14, β21, Wanda Bigham, β56, Dr. Susana Bloomdahl, Melanie Brooks, β92, β93, Dr. Dina Byers, β99, β04, Kala Dunn, β10, β17, Cris Ferguson, Dr. Claire Fuller, Kathy Harris, β80, Abby Hensley, β07, β08, Deborah Hulse, Ashley Ireland, β05, Karen Jackson, β84, Carrie McGinnis, β96, β20, Nikki Murphy, β02, Lana Porter, β65, β72
Swift & Staley, led by Murray State Board of Regents Chair Leon Owens, shows unwavering and multifaceted support for students
Donors: Swift & Staley, Inc., of Paducah, Kentucky, led by company President and Murray State Board of Regents Chair Leon Owens, β14
2025 distinguished alumna memorializes her mom, who taught nursing at Murray State for 24 years
Donors: Kelli, β90, β91, and Scott Parsons
Nursing Graduate and Retired Army Colonel Helps Students Follow in Her Footsteps
Donors: COL Lucretia McClenney (Ret)
Alumnus and Avid Racer Fan βJim Bobβ Kevil Leaves Transformational Gift to Racer Athletics
Donors: The estate of James R. βJim Bobβ Kevil
Supporting the Free Press by Supporting Student Journalism
Donors: Bonnie Koblitz
Western Kentucky Area Kappa Delta Alumnae Chapter Establishes Scholarship
Donors: Members of the Western Kentucky Area Kappa Delta Alumnae Chapter, spearheaded by Mrs. Jan Yonts (β71, β74)
Family and Friends of Chief Deputy Jody Cash Establish Scholarship in His Memory
Donors: Family and Friends of Chief Deputy Jody Cash
Dr. Jesse D. Jones bestows even more generosity upon Murray State
Donors: Dr. Jesse D. Jones, β64
Lifelong Public Servants Ensure Quality Leadership for Nonprofit Leadership Studies
Donors: Dr. Robert F. Long, Jr. and Mrs. Patricia Mendez-Long
Murray State University Foundation Makes Gift to Replace Seats in Lovett Auditorium
Donors: Murray State University Foundation, Inc., as voted by its Board of Trustees on April 17, 2021
Murray State dedicates βLogan Hall of Biologyβ to recognize familyβs exceptional support for science education
Donors: Dr. Thomas B. Logan, MD, β61, Mrs. Jo Lloyd Logan, β62, and family
First-generation alumni couple give back to todayβs first-gen agriculture students
Donors: Mr. Doug, β93, & Mrs. Stacey, β94, β00, Lawson and family
First-Generation Business Alum Gives Back to Todayβs Business Students
Donors: Tommy Lewis (β86)
Family of Beloved Former Baseball Coach Gives Back to Student-Athletes
Donors: The family of former Murray State Hall of Famer and Menβs Baseball Coach Johnny Reagan (β48, β56)
First Black Miss MSU Gives Back After Exceptional Career in Higher Education
Donors: Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton ('69, '71)
Tosh Farms Gifts the Funding, Materials, and Labor to Build New Agricultural Learning Lab
Donors: Tosh Farms of Henry, Tennessee
Former Board of Regents Chair Dr. Don Tharpe Commits Planned Gift to Murray State
Donors: Dr. Don (β74, β75) and Mrs. Linda (β74) Tharpe
Pat Summerville, Lifelong Supporter of the Arts at Murray State, Cements Legacy of Giving with Estate Gift
Donors: Patricia L. Summerville (β72)
Alumni Couple Who Were First in Their Families to Graduate College Assist Other First-Gen Students
Donors: Travis Taylor (β11) and Dr. Kelly Taylor (β11)
Mark Workman Builds Successful Engineering Company and Gives Back to MSU
Donors: Mark (β92) and Kelly (β92, β98, β15) Workman and Bacon Farmer Workman (BFW) and Marcum Engineering, the company that Mark co-owns
Children and grandchildren of Marvin βM.O.β Wrather continue to give back to Murray State
Donors: Rebecca Hoke Zion, Justin Zion, and family of Charles and Anne Hoke (daughter of Dr. Marvin βM.O.β Wrather)
Long-time scholarship donors steeply increase support for students
Donors: James, β66, and Patricia, β66, Wilson
New Scholarship Memorializes Beloved Evansville Speech-Language Pathologist
Donors: Steve Vandergriff, Beth Easterling (β89 β92), Laura Notich, Melissa Hacker, and other family and friends of Leah Vandergriff
Golden reunion reflections motivate alumni couple to make planned gift
Donors: Retired Colonels William βBillβ M., β74, and Barbara E. Wilder, β75
History Faculty Benefit from Increased Support for Research
Donors: Murray State Professor Emeritus of History Terry Strieter and wife Sara Fineman (82, β87)
Jerry and Betsy Shroat: βMSU Is Woven Into the Fabric of Our Livesβ
Donors: Jerry (β63) and Betsy (β63) Shroat
Alumni Couple Bolsters Support for the Office of Student Disability Services
Donors: Jason (β08) and Leigh Ann (β97, β99) Siener
MSU Business Alumna Makes Major Commitment in Support of First-Generation Student Scholarships
Donors: Mrs. (Helen) Suzanne Shelton (β80) and her husband Mr. Michael Sump
New Scholarship to Recognize Students of High Moral Character
Donors: Dr. Eugene and Mrs. Priscilla Schanbacher
Biology Alumna Leaves Legacy Gift to Benefit Todayβs Biology Students
Donors: The Estate of Doris Wood Seney (β69)
Former Engineering Technology Professorβs Daughter Provides Extraordinary Full-Ride Scholarships for Students
Donors: Karen Jones Squires (β78) and James Squires
Hopkinsville Couple Donates Truckload of Chemistry Lab Equipment
Donors: Matthew and Brooke Stine
CHFA Alum Enables Todayβs Psychology Students to Present at Annual Research Conference
Donors: Derek Somerville (β98)
2015 Graduate Creates Scholarship for Fellow Esports Enthusiasts
Donors: Austin Smock ('15)
United Systems and Software Provides Hands-On Learning Space for Computer Science Students
Donors: United Systems & Software, Inc. (USS), led by CEO and Murray State alumnus Scott Waldrop (β88)
Former Nursing Student Leaves a Lasting Legacy at Murray State
Donors: The estate of the late Jessie Munday Jackson (β61)
CFSB continues decades of support of Racer Athletics with new $2 million gift
Donors: Community Financial Services Bank (CFSB) of Benton, Kentucky
Hancock Biological Station Receives Unprecedented Support from Retired Merchant Marine Captain Robert Cherry Jr.
Donors: Capt. Robert C. Cherry, Jr. (β90)
Paducah Couple Leaves Major Estate Gift in Support of Miller Memorial Golf Course and More
Donors: Jim (β63) and Sue (β64) Cash
Professional Photographer Donates Digital Photographic Equipment for Students
Donors: John David Busby
Western Kentucky Natives Assist Students from their Childhood Home Towns
Donors: Michael (β75) and Jane Ann Cain
Lifelong Friendship Begun at Murray State Inspires Memorial Scholarship
Donors: Lt Col Wendy S. Collins, USAF, Nurse Corps (Ret) (β71), and family and friends of Geneva Lee Jackson Cooper (β71, β77)
Financial Services Company ATA CPAs + Advisors Supports MSU Accounting Students
Donors: ATA CPAs + Advisors PLLC
First endowed professorship in Engineering Physics to honor former Dean Steve Cobb
Donors: Lead gifts from Rex Geveden, β83, β84, and Cindy Griner, β82; other gifts from alumni and friends and family of Dr. Steve Cobb
Ron and Ann Churchill Leave Estate Gift to Benefit Libraries and Local Students
Donors: Ron (β53) and Ann (β54) Churchill, through the Estate of Ron Churchill Jr.
First endowed professorship in Construction Management established
Donors: Lead gift from the Western Kentucky chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC); other gifts from alumni, AGC members, and friends and family of Dr. Danny Claiborne
Juniors and Seniors of All Majors Can Take Advantage of New Scholarship
Donors: Steve (β78) and Sherry (β76, β79, β81) Burke
Trailblazing Female Biologist Alumna Gives Back to Todayβs Science Students
Donors: The estate of Dr. Beulah Mae βBootsβ Ashbrook (β55)
Badgett family makes new gift to significantly bolster teacher education opportunities
Donors: Family of the late J. Rogers Badgett
Thoroughbred Architects and Engineers Establishes New Student Scholarship
Donors: Thoroughbred Architects and Engineers, a Kentucky owned and operated professional engineering, surveying, architecture, and construction management firm that recently opened a new office in Mayfield, Kentucky
Ag Alumni Celebrate 100 Years of Agriculture at Murray State with New Scholarship
Donors: Hutson School of Agriculture alumni
Doran Family Gift Ensures the Future of the Arboretum
Donors: The Doran Foundation, Inc.
One of Murray Stateβs First Presidential Scholars Gives Back to Todayβs Racers
Donors: David (β78) and Susan Beeny
After success in the entertainment industry, alumni couple gives back to arts students
Donors: W. Earl, β86, and Carrie Brown, β88
A Philanthropic Journey from Murray to βThe Big Appleβ and Back Home to Murray
Donors: Nancy Gibbs Becker (β63)
New nursing scholarship memorializes beloved labor and delivery nurse Dana Bazzell
Donors: Family and friends of Dana Bazzell, β75
2006 alumna memorializes both of her parents with special gifts
Donors: Dr. Brett and Mrs. Whitney Medley Bechtel, β06
Former football letterman supports long-term vision for the future of Racer Athletics
Donors: Scotty, β74, β75, and Debi Crump
First Endowed Professorship in Agricultural Science Established
Donors: The Futrell Family
A record-breaking gift for the Hutson School of Agriculture
Donors: The estate of the late Bill, β49, and Merry Garrett
Computer Science Alum Creates Scholarship to Help Students Who Have Experienced Hardships
Donors: James E. Forest
Alumnus Arthur Fields Makes Transformational $1.5 Million Gift
Donors: Arthur Fields (β67, β68)
Racer Football Alumni Association Forms to Support Football Student-Athletes
Donors: Racer Football Alumni Association (RFAA), LLC, which is an organization of former Racer players, coaches, supporters and staff dedicated to the improvement of the educational and athletic experience for the Murray State Racer football student-athlete.
Dozens of Students Receive Scholarships Every Year Thanks to Western Kentucky Coupleβs Estate Gift
Donors: The Estate of Bill (β58) and Louise Hatley
Icon of Philanthropy Donna Herndon Bestows Even More Generosity Upon Murray State
Donors: Donna Herndon (β64)
Two Racer Friends Establish Book Scholarship
Donors: Aaron Harris (β12,β14) and Richard Nelson (β11)
New Scholarship for Kentucky Students Will Offer $5000 to Multiple Students Every Year
Donors: Paul C. Goodley (β72)
Generous Gift Establishes New Endowed Professorship in Equine Science
Donors: Vernon (β73) and Cathryn Hamm
Nursing alumna and husband make major gift to fund scholarships for Nursing students
Donors: Mrs. Patti, β74, and Dr. Paul Eisenberg
Dairymanβs Supply Company Makes $1 Million Gift to Racer Athletics
Donors: Dairymanβs Supply Company, Inc. based out of Mayfield, Kentucky
Mayfield Family Pays Tribute to Their Mother with Three Student Scholarships
Donors: Family and friends of the late Peggy Anderson Daughaday
Former MSU President Constantine Curris Honors Wife with Emergency Fund for Students
Donors: Dr. Constantine (Deno) Curris and Mrs. Jo Hern Curris
Board of Trustees member and husband pledge extraordinary planned gift
Donors: Melanie Peacock Culver, β84, and Jay Culver. Melanie joined the Murray State University Foundation Board of Trustees in the fall of 2024. Gift
First-Generation Brother and Sister Alumni Encourage Todayβs First-Gen Students
Donors: Trisha Clark Cunningham (β86) and Terry L. Clark (β81)
Family of Nathaniel Durham, who passed away at age 20, creates scholarship in his memory
Donors: Adam Chustz (β99), Dwight Chustz, and other family and friends of Nathaniel Durham
Lifelong love of nature inspires Melissa Easley to create new field research area for students
Donors: Melissa Easley, β64, β90
Mayfield natives, now in California, give back to Racer student athletes
Donors: Tommy, β87, and Sandy, β87, Draffen
New Esports Arena Created Thanks to Support from DEVsource Technology Solutions
Donors: DEVsource Technology Solutions, Inc.
Racer Athletics receives largest gift in school history from Dill family
Donors: David, β90, and Ashley, β89, Dill and family