Racer Report: August 7-11
By Shawn Touney | Aug 9, 2023
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� The latest Murray State University Racer Report includes student, faculty, staff and alumni accomplishments, announcements, upcoming campus events and more for the week of August 7-11.
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Murray State University will welcome students and their families to campus Sept. 29, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 for Family Weekend 2023, an annual tradition that encourages students to share their college experience with their loved ones.
Throughout the weekend, the University will host a variety of fun events and activities for students and their families, including the Mr. MSU Pageant, Racer 5k, Fall Fanfare and more. Registration for Family Weekend 2023 is now open.
Please visit to register and view a complete Family Weekend itinerary. Families are encouraged to register early as the online registration will remain open until Sept. 26 at 11:59 p.m.
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August is always a special time of year in Murray, when returning and new students come to campus at Murray State University.
With the excitement of a new term comes an influx of traffic as students and their families bring their belongings in advance of the fall semester, which begins on Aug. 15.
The Great Beginnings back-to-school event is currently underway across campus. All motorists should be more aware of heavier traffic and more pedestrian students going to the many events taking place in association with the start of a new school year.
The Murray State University Police Department encourages motorists to take alternate routes and avoid Chestnut Street, Kentucky 121 Bypass and Waldrop Drive. Waldrop Drive will be closed to through traffic.
Visit to view a complete schedule, traffic/move-in video and itinerary of events.
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Murray State University鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Public and Community Health recently received EEQ Certification by The Quality Assurance Commons.
Essential Employability Qualities Certification (EEQ CERT) is granted by The Quality Assurance Commons after a rigorous process of external and independent review. EEQ Certified programs foster a distinctive set of attributes in their graduates and completers. These qualities are intended to prepare students to make important contributions in their workplaces. The eight Essential Employability Qualities are effective communication, teamwork, critical analysis, problem-solving, learning & adaptability, professionalism & responsibility, and digital literacy.
Programs participating in EEQ CERT are scored on five categories that represent a comprehensive and integrated framework for employability - Student EEQ Preparation, Employer Engagement, Integrated (Career) Support Services, Learner Engagement, and Transparency of Outcomes.
The Bachelor of Science in Public and Community Health at Murray State is a dynamic major that is interdisciplinary in nature and provides options that allow students to prepare for various careers in public and community health organizations, such as hospitals, governmental agencies, non-profits, and worksite wellness programs. The program鈥檚 mission is to prepare leaders for tomorrow's health care challenges.
鈥淚n today's healthcare landscape with an array of careers available to graduates, Murray State's Public and Community Health program strives to provide students with the skills they need to excel in this complex workforce,鈥� Program Director and Assistant Professor Dr. Elizabeth Gordon said. 鈥淭hrough its Essential Employability Qualities Certification, the Public and Community Health program was recognized for strengths in connecting students with employers through a cutting edge internship program and integrating key employability qualities into curriculum to prepare students to be leaders in their field.鈥�
Through a special partnership with the Quality Assurance Commons, Murray State holds multiple certified academic programs across campus to continue to emphasize employability skills which are critical for workers looking to build and advance in their careers.
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The Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce recently announced the members of the Leadership Murray Class of 2023-2024. This year鈥檚 class includes 23 participants representing various sectors in the Murray and Calloway County community.
This year鈥檚 class includes several Murray State faculty and staff:
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Dedrick Brooks - Director of Institutional Research, Office of Institutional Effectiveness
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Kelsey Johnson - Recruitment Coordinator and Business Advisor, Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business
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Amanda Mansfield - Career Experience Coordinator and National Student Exchange Coordinator, Career Services
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Shawn Touney - Executive Director of Marketing and Communication, Office of Branding, Marketing and Communication
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Trent Wells - Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education, Hutson School of Agriculture
The Leadership Murray program, which started in 1982, consists of seven full-day sessions, one overnight opening retreat and a trip to the state capitol where participants gather to gain insight on the challenges and opportunities in the Murray-Calloway County community. Throughout the sessions, class members meet with many business leaders and explore the community to learn about various resources and opportunities. The classmates form lifelong relationships and always learn something new even if they are native to our community.
For more information on the Leadership Murray program, visit .
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The Murray State University Racers Helping Racers food pantry held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 3 to celebrate the food pantry鈥檚 grand opening on the Murray State University Hopkinsville Regional campus. The Racers Helping Racers food pantry鈥檚 mission is to provide food for all students on campus.
First established in early 2014 on the Murray State University main campus, the pantry has provided free food for all University students.
鈥淭he grand opening of the Racers Helping Racers food pantry on the Hopkinsville Regional campus will continue to fuel our guiding mission to care, serve and support all of our students,鈥� said Re鈥橬ita Avery, director of student life and the Curris Center.
The food pantry will be open on the following days: Monday from 4 鈥� 7:30 p.m., Wednesday from Noon 鈥� 4 p.m., Thursday from 4 鈥� 7 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. 鈥� 3 p.m.
For more information, please email msu.racershelpingracers@