Murray State University: Difference between revisions

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Updated endowment to reflect FY24
 
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{{Cleanup press release|1=article|date=April 2023}}
{{Cleanup press release|1=article|date=April 2023}}
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{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox university
{{Infobox university
| name = Murray State University
| name                   = Murray State University
| former_name = Murray State Normal School (1922–1926)<br />Murray State Normal School and Teachers College (1926–1930)<br />Murray State Teachers College (1930–1948)<br />Murray State College (1948–1966)
| former_name           = Murray State Normal School (1922–1926)<br />Murray State Normal School and Teachers College (1926–1930)<br />Murray State Teachers College (1930–1948)<br />Murray State College (1948–1966)
| image = Murray State University seal.svg
| image                 = Murray State University seal.svg
| image_upright = .7
| image_upright         = .7
| established = {{start date and age|1922}}
| established           = {{start date and age|1922}}
| type = [[Public university]]
| type                   = [[Public university]]
| academic_affiliations = [[National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program|Space-grant]]
| academic_affiliations = [[National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program|Space-grant]]
| president = Ron Patterson
| president             = Ron Patterson
| provost = Tim Todd  
| provost               = Tim Todd
| city = [[Murray, Kentucky|Murray]]
| city                   = [[Murray, Kentucky]]
| state = Kentucky
| country               = United States
| country = United States
| coor                   = {{coord|36|36|56|N|88|19|17|W|region:US-KY_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| coor = {{coord|36|36|56|N|88|19|17|W|region:US-KY_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| endowment             = $122.6 million (2024)<ref name=endowment>{{cite web |url=https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |title=U.S. and Canadian 2024 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2024 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY23 to FY24, and FY24 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student |date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) |access-date=February 12, 2025 |format=XLSX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212074654/https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |archive-date=February 12, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| endowment = $100.2 million (2022)<ref>As of June 30, 2022. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Nacubo/Documents/research/2022-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY21 to FY22 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and [[TIAA]] |date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=June 20, 2023}}</ref>
| students               = 9,932 (fall 2025)<ref name=Kentucky_New_Era>{{Cite web|title=Murray State reports continued growth in fall enrollment |url=https://www.kentuckynewera.com/article_8b15acf1-8a05-5417-b6b2-05a74276bbf0.html |work=[[Kentucky New Era]] |date=November 1, 2025 |accessdate=November 21, 2025}}</ref>
| students = 10,035 (fall 2024)<ref name=CPE>{{Cite web|title=CPE Interactive Data Center|url=https://reports.ky.gov/t/CPE/views/KentuckyPostsecondaryEducationInteractiveDataDashboard/Navigation?%3AshowAppBanner=false&%3Adisplay_count=n&%3AshowVizHome=n&%3Aorigin=viz_share_link&%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y&%3Aembed=y|access-date=2025-02-13}}</ref>
| undergrad             = 8,217 (fall 2025)<ref name=Kentucky_New_Era/>
| undergrad = 8,281 (fall 2024)<ref name=CPE/>
| postgrad               = 1,715 (fall 2025)<ref name=Kentucky_New_Era/>
| postgrad = 1,754 (fall 2024)<ref name=CPE/>
| campus                 = Suburban, 258.43 acres (main campus)
| campus = 258.43 acres (main campus)
| athletics_nickname     = [[Murray State Racers|Racers]]
| athletics_nickname = [[Murray State Racers|Racers]]
| mascot                 = Racer One (live mascot)<br />Dunker (costumed)
| mascot = Racer One (live mascot)<br />Dunker (costumed)
| colors                 = {{college color list|team=Murray State Racers}} <!-- same as athletics; automatically inserted -->
| colors = {{college color list|team=Murray State Racers}} <!-- same as athletics; automatically inserted -->
| sporting_affiliations = [[NCAA Division I]] – [[Missouri Valley Conference|MVC]]
| sporting_affiliations = [[NCAA Division I]] – [[Missouri Valley Conference|MVC]]
| website               = {{URL|www.murraystate.edu}}
| website = {{URL|www.murraystate.edu}}
| logo                   = Murray State University logo.svg
| logo = Murray State University logo.svg
| logo_size             = 250
| logo_size = 250
}}
}}


'''Murray State University''' ('''MSU''') is a [[public university]] in [[Murray, Kentucky]], in the [[Southern United States]]. In addition to the main campus in Calloway County in southwestern Kentucky, Murray State operates extended campuses offering upper-level and graduate courses in [[Paducah, Kentucky|Paducah]], [[Hopkinsville, Kentucky|Hopkinsville]], [[Madisonville, Kentucky|Madisonville]], and [[Henderson, Kentucky|Henderson]].
'''Murray State University''' ('''MSU''') is a [[public university]] in [[Murray, Kentucky]], United States. In addition to the main campus in Calloway County in southwestern Kentucky, Murray State operates extended campuses offering upper-level and graduate courses in [[Paducah, Kentucky|Paducah]], [[Hopkinsville, Kentucky|Hopkinsville]], [[Madisonville, Kentucky|Madisonville]], and [[Henderson, Kentucky|Henderson]].


==History==
==History==
Murray State University was founded after the passage of Senate Bill 14 by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which created two [[normal school]]s in the early 20th century to address the growing demand for professional teachers. One was to be located in the western part of the state, and many cities and towns bid for the new normal school. [[Rainey T. Wells]] spoke on behalf of the city of Murray to convince the Normal School Commission to choose his city. On September 2, 1922, Murray was chosen as the site of the western normal school, while [[Morehead, Kentucky|Morehead]] was chosen for the [[Morehead State University|eastern normal school]]. On November 26, 1922, John Wesley Carr was elected the first president of the '''Murray State Normal School''' by the State Board of Education. Believing it had the authority to elect the president, the Normal School Commission picked Rainey Wells as the first president. On May 15, 1923, the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled for the State Board of Education, and Carr became Murray's first president.
Murray State University was founded after the passage of Senate Bill 14 by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which created two [[normal school]]s in the early 20th century to address the growing demand for professional teachers. One was to be located in the western part of the state, and many cities and towns bid for the new normal school. Rainey T. Wells spoke on behalf of the city of Murray to convince the Normal School Commission to choose his city. On September 2, 1922, Murray was chosen as the site of the western normal school, while [[Morehead, Kentucky|Morehead]] was chosen for the [[Morehead State University|eastern normal school]]. On November 26, 1922, John Wesley Carr was elected the first president of the '''Murray State Normal School''' by the State Board of Education. Believing it had the authority to elect the president, the Normal School Commission picked Rainey Wells as the first president. On May 15, 1923, the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled for the State Board of Education, and Carr became Murray's first president.
[[File:Wrather West Kentucky Museum.jpg|thumb|Wrather West Kentucky Museum, the first building on MSU's campus]]
[[File:Wrather West Kentucky Museum.jpg|thumb|Wrather West Kentucky Museum, the first building on MSU's campus]]
Murray State Normal School opened on September 24, 1923.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hortin|first=L. J. |date=11 Dec 1970|title=The Origin of Murray State University: History of University Published As Fiftieth Anniversary Draws Near|work=The Ledger and Times|url=http://lib.murraystate.edu/pdf/Ledger&Times_Reprint.pdf|access-date=16 July 2021 |archive-date=17 July 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717021709/http://lib.murraystate.edu/pdf/Ledger&Times_Reprint.pdf}}</ref> In 1924, the first building on Murray State's campus, the Administrative Building, was constructed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Wrather West KY Museum|url=https://www.murraystate.edu/campus/wrathermuseum/index.aspx|access-date=2021-07-17|website=Murray State University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817101805/https://www.murraystate.edu/campus/wrathermuseum/index.aspx |archive-date=Aug 17, 2021}}</ref> Before this, all MSU classes had been held on the first floor of what is now Murray Middle School, located on Main Street.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our History|url=https://www.murray.kyschools.us/about/our-history|access-date=2021-07-17|website=Murray Independent School District |language=en}}</ref> Designed by [[Joseph & Joseph]] in the [[Collegiate Gothic]] style<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=11 June 1975|title=Kentucky SP Old Normal School Building|url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/123849556|access-date=16 July 2021|website=National Archives Catalog}}</ref> the Administrative Building, later known as Wrather Hall, housed classrooms, a dining hall, offices, and a chapel. The building was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1975, and renovated soon after, finally being renamed to Wrather West Kentucky Museum, named for Murray State executive vice-president Marvin O. Wrather.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> All students lived at home or boarded with local families until the first dormitory, Wells Hall, was constructed in 1925. Wilson Hall was also completed under Carr's presidency, with other structures in progress.
Murray State Normal School opened on September 24, 1923.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hortin|first=L. J. |date=11 Dec 1970|title=The Origin of Murray State University: History of University Published As Fiftieth Anniversary Draws Near|work=The Ledger and Times|url=http://lib.murraystate.edu/pdf/Ledger&Times_Reprint.pdf|access-date=16 July 2021 |archive-date=17 July 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717021709/http://lib.murraystate.edu/pdf/Ledger&Times_Reprint.pdf}}</ref> In 1924, the first building on Murray State's campus, the Administrative Building, was constructed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Wrather West KY Museum|url=https://www.murraystate.edu/campus/wrathermuseum/index.aspx|access-date=2021-07-17|website=Murray State University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817101805/https://www.murraystate.edu/campus/wrathermuseum/index.aspx |archive-date=Aug 17, 2021}}</ref> Before this, all MSU classes had been held on the first floor of what is now Murray Middle School, located on Main Street.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our History|url=https://www.murray.kyschools.us/about/our-history|access-date=2021-07-17|website=Murray Independent School District |language=en}}</ref> Designed by [[Joseph & Joseph]] in the [[Collegiate Gothic]] style<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=11 June 1975|title=Kentucky SP Old Normal School Building|url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/123849556|access-date=16 July 2021|website=National Archives Catalog}}</ref> the Administrative Building, later known as Wrather Hall, housed classrooms, a dining hall, offices, and a chapel. The building was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1975, and renovated soon after, finally being renamed to Wrather West Kentucky Museum, named for Murray State executive vice-president Marvin O. Wrather.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> All students lived at home or boarded with local families until the first dormitory, Wells Hall, was constructed in 1925. Wilson Hall was also completed under Carr's presidency, with other structures in progress.


In 1926, Rainey T. Wells, recognized as the founder of Murray State, became its second president. Wells served from 1926 to 1932, and during this time Lovett Auditorium, Carr Health Building, and Pogue Library were all completed. In 1926, the Normal School was renamed Murray State Normal School and Teachers College, with a four-year curriculum, and the General Assembly granted it authority to confer baccalaureate degrees. In 1928, the college was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1930, the name was changed to Murray State Teachers College and it was granted authority to offer liberal arts and pre-professional courses. The name was changed again in 1948 to Murray State College, with the expansion of the programs to include graduate-level courses, in 1966 the General Assembly authorized the Board of Regents to change the name to Murray State University.
In 1926, Rainey T. Wells, recognized as the founder of Murray State, became its second president. Wells served from 1926 to 1932, and during this time [[Lovett Auditorium]], Carr Health Building, and Pogue Library were all completed. In 1926, the Normal School was renamed Murray State Normal School and Teachers College, with a four-year curriculum, and the General Assembly granted it authority to confer baccalaureate degrees. In 1928, the college was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1930, the name was changed to Murray State Teachers College and it was granted authority to offer liberal arts and pre-professional courses. The name was changed again in 1948 to Murray State College, with the expansion of the programs to include graduate-level courses, in 1966 the General Assembly authorized the Board of Regents to change the name to Murray State University.


== Shield ==
== Shield ==
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===Quad===
===Quad===
[[File:Pogue Library - Spring 2019.jpg|alt=Two students walk out of Pogue Library near the statue of founder Rainey T. Wells.|thumb|Two students walk out of Pogue Library near the statue of founder Rainey T. Wells.|left]]
[[File:Pogue Library - Spring 2019.jpg|alt=Two students walk out of Pogue Library near the statue of founder Rainey T. Wells.|thumb|Two students walk out of Pogue Library near the statue of founder Rainey T. Wells.|left]]
The oldest and most easily recognizable buildings on the Murray State campus are situated around a large, grassy, tree-lined area on the south side of the campus. This part of the campus, known as the Quad, is bounded by 16th Street to the west, 15th Street to the east, Lovett Auditorium to the north, and Wilson Hall to the south.
The oldest and most easily recognizable buildings on the Murray State campus are situated around a large, grassy, tree-lined area on the south side of the campus. This part of the campus, known as the Quad, is bounded by 16th Street to the west, 15th Street to the east, [[Lovett Auditorium]] to the north, and Wilson Hall to the south.


In the southwest corner of the Quad is the oldest building on campus, now known as Wrather West Kentucky Museum. It was first known as the Administration Building and then as Wrather Hall, and housed classrooms and offices, before it became a museum. Ground for Wrather was broken on October 15, 1923, and it has been in use since 1924. The building was placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1975,<ref name=":1"/> and features a large auditorium that is frequently used for lectures and meetings.
In the southwest corner of the Quad is the oldest building on campus, now known as Wrather West Kentucky Museum. It was first known as the Administration Building and then as Wrather Hall, and housed classrooms and offices, before it became a museum. Ground for Wrather was broken on October 15, 1923, and it has been in use since 1924. The building was placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1975,<ref name=":1"/> and features a large auditorium that is frequently used for lectures and meetings.


Faculty Hall, Wells Hall, and the Business Building line the western edge of the Quad. The Lowry Center, Pogue Library, and the Price Doyle Fine Arts Center line the eastern side of the Quad. The 11-story Doyle Fine Arts Center is the tallest building on campus, housing numerous classrooms, practice rooms, recital halls, the Robert E. Johnson Theatre, Clara Eagle Art Gallery, [[WKMS-FM]], and television studios used for student work.
Faculty Hall, Wells Hall, and the Arthur J. Bauernfeind Business Building line the western edge of the Quad. The Lowry Center, Pogue Library, and the Price Doyle Fine Arts Center line the eastern side of the Quad. The 11-story Doyle Fine Arts Center is the tallest building on campus, housing numerous classrooms, practice rooms, recital halls, the Robert E. Johnson Theatre, Clara Eagle Art Gallery, [[WKMS-FM]], and television studios used for student work.
[[File:Sparks Hall, Murray State University.jpg|thumb|Sparks Hall]]
[[File:Sparks Hall, Murray State University.jpg|thumb|Sparks Hall]]
Directly south of the Quad is Sparks Hall. The five-story, 39,000-square-foot (3,600 m2), Sparks Hall was completed in 1967 for $1,308,514,{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} and functions as the main administrative building, housing the offices of student financial aid, admissions and registration, accounting and financial services, vice president for administrative services, Center for Continuing Education and Academic Outreach, human resources and university communications.
Directly south of the Quad is Sparks Hall. The five-story, 39,000-square-foot (3,600 m2), Sparks Hall was completed in 1967 for $1,308,514,{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} and functions as the main administrative building, housing the offices of student financial aid, registration, accounting and financial services, human resources and branding, marketing and communication.


To the south of the Quadrangle, and directly west of Sparks Hall is Oakhurst, the residence of the university president. Construction of the mansion, originally known as Edgewood, began in 1917 and was completed in 1918. The home was built by Dr. and Mrs. Rainey T. Wells. The Board of Regents purchased the home from Rainey T. Wells in June 1936. It was remodeled that year and renamed Oakhurst in preparation for James H. Richmond's occupation of the house.<ref>''Fifty Years of Progress: A History of Murray State University''. 1973. p 93</ref>
To the south of the Quadrangle, and directly west of Sparks Hall is Oakhurst, the residence of the university president. Construction of the mansion, originally known as Edgewood, began in 1917 and was completed in 1918. The home was built by Rainey T. Wells and his wife. The board of regents purchased the home from Wells in June 1936. It was remodeled that year and renamed Oakhurst in preparation for James H. Richmond's occupation of the house.<ref>''Fifty Years of Progress: A History of Murray State University''. 1973. p 93</ref>


===Central campus===
===Central campus===
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===Science campus===
===Science campus===
[[File:AlexanderHallMSU.JPG|thumb|right|Alexander Hall, named for former Murray State president Kern Alexander]]
[[File:AlexanderHallMSU.JPG|thumb|right|Alexander Hall, named for former Murray State president Kern Alexander]]
An aggressive building campaign on campus has resulted in a westward expansion of the main academic campus of Murray State. The expansion began with a massive renovation and expansion of what is now known as Alexander Hall on the west side of 16th Street near Calloway Avenue. The project was the first to unveil a new architectural style <!--described as ? -->that would become consistent through all renovation and new construction projects on campus. Alexander Hall houses classrooms and offices for the College of Education. Construction continued with the new state-of-the-art science complex for biology and chemistry that is located just to the southwest of Alexander Hall. The massive new science complex was constructed in phases, with the Biology Building opening in 2004, and the rest of the complex and centerpiece clock tower reaching completion in March 2008. The new clock tower was dedicated in 2007 as the Jesse L. Jones Family Clock Tower. A physics and engineering building was completed in the summer of 2017.
An aggressive building campaign on campus has resulted in a westward expansion of the main academic campus of Murray State. The expansion began with a massive renovation and expansion of what is now known as Alexander Hall on the west side of 16th Street near Calloway Avenue. The project was the first to unveil a new architectural style <!--described as ? -->that would become consistent through all renovation and new construction projects on campus. Alexander Hall houses classrooms and offices for the College of Education. Construction continued with the new state-of-the-art science complex for biology and chemistry that is located just to the southwest of Alexander Hall. The massive new science complex was constructed in phases, with the Biology Building (Logan Hall) opening in 2004, and the rest of the complex and centerpiece clock tower reaching completion in March 2008. The new clock tower was dedicated in 2007 as the Jesse L. Jones Family Clock Tower. A physics and engineering building was completed in the summer of 2017.


===Sports and recreation facilities===
===Sports and recreation facilities===
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A building campaign is underway to replace many of the older residence halls. A replacement building for Clark College was completed and ready for residents at the beginning of the 2007 fall semester. Clark Hall was the newest building, and the first residence hall specifically designed around the residential college concept and model. A new four-story, 270-bed, 79,900-square foot Richmond Hall was opened for James H. Richmond Residential College in fall 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luckett-farley.com/projects/murray-state-university-richmond-residential-college/ |title=Murray State University Richmond Residential College |publisher=Luckett-farley.com |date=June 20, 2014 |access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref> It has a similar concept and design as Clark College. In the fall of 2009, the old Clark Hall building was torn down.
A building campaign is underway to replace many of the older residence halls. A replacement building for Clark College was completed and ready for residents at the beginning of the 2007 fall semester. Clark Hall was the newest building, and the first residence hall specifically designed around the residential college concept and model. A new four-story, 270-bed, 79,900-square foot Richmond Hall was opened for James H. Richmond Residential College in fall 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luckett-farley.com/projects/murray-state-university-richmond-residential-college/ |title=Murray State University Richmond Residential College |publisher=Luckett-farley.com |date=June 20, 2014 |access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref> It has a similar concept and design as Clark College. In the fall of 2009, the old Clark Hall building was torn down.


Following the completion of the spring 2011 semester, the university began renovation to Elizabeth Hall, which houses the Elizabeth Residential College. The $7.2 million renovation project closed the building for the entire 2011–12 academic year as the highrise was upgraded to meet [[Americans with Disabilities Act]] (ADA) standards. The renovation also included new heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems to achieve [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design]] (LEED) silver status.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://murrayledger.com/elizabeth-college-renovation-nearing-completion/article_9e9e6560-c126-11e1-be13-001a4bcf887a.html |title=Elizabeth College renovation nearing completion - Murray Ledger & Times: Home |publisher=Murrayledger.com |date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref> The renovated Elizabeth Hall reopened on August 18, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.org/2012/09/10/university-completes-renovation-of-elizabeth-hires-consulting-firm-to-review-others/ |title=University completes renovation of Elizabeth, hires consulting firm to review other residential colleges |publisher=TheNews.org |date=September 10, 2012 |access-date=June 20, 2015 |first=Samantha |last=Villanueva}}</ref> Hester Hall is the next highrise residence hall scheduled for renovation; however, the timeline for that project has not been announced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.org/2012/04/12/university-evaluates-high-rise-renovations/ |title=University evaluates high-rise renovations |publisher=TheNews.org |date=April 12, 2012 |access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref>
Following the completion of the spring 2011 semester, the university began renovation to Elizabeth Hall, which houses the Elizabeth Residential College. The $7.2 million renovation project closed the building for the entire 2011–12 academic year as the highrise was upgraded to meet [[Americans with Disabilities Act]] (ADA) standards. The renovation also included new heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems to achieve [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design]] (LEED) silver status.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://murrayledger.com/elizabeth-college-renovation-nearing-completion/article_9e9e6560-c126-11e1-be13-001a4bcf887a.html |title=Elizabeth College renovation nearing completion - Murray Ledger & Times: Home |publisher=Murrayledger.com |date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref> The renovated Elizabeth Hall reopened on August 18, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.org/2012/09/10/university-completes-renovation-of-elizabeth-hires-consulting-firm-to-review-others/ |title=University completes renovation of Elizabeth, hires consulting firm to review other residential colleges |publisher=TheNews.org |date=September 10, 2012 |access-date=June 20, 2015 |first=Samantha |last=Villanueva}}</ref> The university broke ground in March 2025 on a new learning commons/residence hall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wkms.org/education/2025-03-28/murray-state-breaks-ground-on-future-learning-commons-residential-hall |title=Murray State breaks ground on future learning commons, residential hall |publisher=wkms.org |date=March 28, 2025 |access-date=March 28, 2025 |first=Zoe |last=Lewis}}</ref>


==Academics==
==Academics==
Murray State University offers eleven associate programs, 64 bachelor programs, 42 master and specialist programs, and three doctoral programs which are administered through four academic colleges, two schools, 30 departments, and one joint program shared by the College of Business and the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology. The College of Business is the largest at Murray State, enrolling 23% of the undergraduate students.
Murray State University offers eleven associate programs, 64 bachelor programs, 42 master and specialist programs, and three doctoral programs which are administered through four academic colleges, two schools, 30 departments, and one joint program shared by the College of Business and the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology. The College of Business is the largest at Murray State, enrolling 23% of the undergraduate students.


Murray State has been institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, continuously since 1928. It is one of eight schools in the state of Kentucky to achieve [[AACSB]] accreditation of business programs;<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.aacsb.edu/General/InstLists.asp?lid=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328162729/http://www.aacsb.edu/General/InstLists.asp?lid=3|archive-date=March 28, 2008 |title= Schools Accredited in Business - ordered by country/region, state, name |website=AACSB}}</ref> however, the school is not AACSB-accredited in accounting programs.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.aacsb.edu/General/InstLists.asp?lid=5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403195534/http://www.aacsb.edu/General/InstLists.asp?lid=5|archive-date=April 3, 2008 |title= Schools Accredited in Accounting - ordered by country/region, state, name |website=AACSB }}</ref> Several other programs have achieved specialized accreditation: primarily programs in teaching, fine arts and nursing. As a former [[normal school]] and teachers' college, Murray State is best known for its [[NCATE]]-accredited education programs. The Clinical Psychology Master's program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Master's in Clinical Psychology |url=https://www.murraystate.edu/academics/CollegesDepartments/CollegeOfHumanitiesAndFineArts/Psychology/GraduatePrograms/clinical.aspx |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Murray State University |language=en}}</ref> The university has also gained national recognition for its fine arts programs. The Department of Music has been a member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1936.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.murraystate.edu/404.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311234105/http://www.murraystate.edu/chfa/Music/|url-status=dead|title=Page Not Found - 404|archivedate=March 11, 2008|website=www.murraystate.edu}}</ref>
Murray State has been institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, continuously since 1928. It is one of eight schools in the state of Kentucky to achieve [[AACSB]] accreditation of business programs;<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.aacsb.edu/General/InstLists.asp?lid=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328162729/http://www.aacsb.edu/General/InstLists.asp?lid=3|archive-date=March 28, 2008 |title= Schools Accredited in Business - ordered by country/region, state, name |website=AACSB}}</ref> however, the school is not AACSB-accredited in accounting programs.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.aacsb.edu/General/InstLists.asp?lid=5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403195534/http://www.aacsb.edu/General/InstLists.asp?lid=5|archive-date=April 3, 2008 |title= Schools Accredited in Accounting - ordered by country/region, state, name |website=AACSB }}</ref> Several other programs have achieved specialized accreditation: primarily programs in teaching, fine arts and nursing. As a former [[normal school]] and teachers' college, Murray State is best known for its [[NCATE]]-accredited education programs. The Clinical Psychology Master's program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Master's in Clinical Psychology |url=https://www.murraystate.edu/academics/CollegesDepartments/CollegeOfHumanitiesAndFineArts/Psychology/GraduatePrograms/clinical.aspx |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Murray State University |language=en}}</ref> The university has also gained national recognition for its fine arts programs. The Department of Music has been a member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1936.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.murraystate.edu/chfa/Music/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311234105/http://www.murraystate.edu/chfa/Music/|url-status=dead|title=Department of Music|archivedate=March 11, 2008|website=www.murraystate.edu}}</ref>


===Rankings===
===Rankings===
For 29 years, Murray State University has been recognized by ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'s Best Colleges'' as one of the top regional universities in the United States. The 2019 rankings listed Murray State at 11th place among the public regional universities in the South and 24th overall among all regional universities in the South. Murray State has consistently been one of the top-ranked public regional universities in Kentucky in the Regional Universities-South category, which consists of both private and public schools. Murray State has also been ranked by ''[[Forbes]]'' among America's Top Colleges since 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.murrayledger.com/community/msu-recognized-by-u-s-news-world-report/article_c6e832c6-db27-11e9-aa0c-e7a046df4ffd.html|title=MSU recognized by U.S. News & World Report|date=September 20, 2019|publisher=Murrayledger.com|access-date=January 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.murraystate.edu/404.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912120419/http://www.murraystate.edu/rankings.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Page Not Found - 404|archivedate=September 12, 2014|website=www.murraystate.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.murrayledger.com/news/murray-st-makes-forbes-list-for-th-straight-year/article_66d5054a-c08c-11e9-9f49-477e761b45a4.html|title=Murray St. makes Forbes list for 12th straight year|last=jwright@murrayledger.com|first=JOHN WRIGHT •|website=Murray Ledger and Times|date=17 August 2019 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref>
For more than 30 years, Murray State University has been recognized by ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'s Best Colleges'' as one of the top regional universities in the United States. The 2025 rankings listed Murray State as the #1 Best Value School in the South region. Murray State has consistently been one of the top-ranked public regional universities in Kentucky in the Regional Universities-South category, which consists of both private and public schools. Murray State has also been ranked by ''[[Forbes]]'' among America's Top Colleges since 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.murrayledger.com/community/msu-recognized-by-u-s-news-world-report/article_c6e832c6-db27-11e9-aa0c-e7a046df4ffd.html|title=MSU recognized by U.S. News & World Report|date=September 20, 2019|publisher=Murrayledger.com|access-date=January 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.murraystate.edu/rankings.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912120419/http://www.murraystate.edu/rankings.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Rankings|archivedate=September 12, 2014|website=www.murraystate.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.murrayledger.com/news/murray-st-makes-forbes-list-for-th-straight-year/article_66d5054a-c08c-11e9-9f49-477e761b45a4.html|title=Murray St. makes Forbes list for 12th straight year|last=jwright@murrayledger.com|first=JOHN WRIGHT •|website=Murray Ledger and Times|date=17 August 2019 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 179: Line 179:
** Indiana: [[Posey County, Indiana|Posey]], [[Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Vanderburgh]], and [[Warrick County, Indiana|Warrick Counties]] (all directly across the Ohio from Kentucky; [[Evansville, Indiana|Evansville]] is in Vanderburgh County)
** Indiana: [[Posey County, Indiana|Posey]], [[Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Vanderburgh]], and [[Warrick County, Indiana|Warrick Counties]] (all directly across the Ohio from Kentucky; [[Evansville, Indiana|Evansville]] is in Vanderburgh County)
** Tennessee: [[Henry County, Tennessee|Henry]], [[Montgomery County, Tennessee|Montgomery]], [[Obion County, Tennessee|Obion]], [[Stewart County, Tennessee|Stewart]], and [[Weakley County, Tennessee|Weakley Counties]] (all bordering Kentucky; [[Clarksville, Tennessee|Clarksville]] is in Montgomery County)
** Tennessee: [[Henry County, Tennessee|Henry]], [[Montgomery County, Tennessee|Montgomery]], [[Obion County, Tennessee|Obion]], [[Stewart County, Tennessee|Stewart]], and [[Weakley County, Tennessee|Weakley Counties]] (all bordering Kentucky; [[Clarksville, Tennessee|Clarksville]] is in Montgomery County)
==International students==
401 international students from 45 countries studied at Murray State as of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mission & Quick Facts|url=https://www.murraystate.edu/Info/quickfacts.aspx|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Murray State University}}</ref> MSU has several international student groups, including the International Student Organization, the Saudi Student Association, and the Indian Student Association.<ref>{{Cite web|title=International Student Life|url=https://www.murraystate.edu/students/International/studentlife.aspx|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Murray State University}}</ref>
Murray State University provides an [[English as a Second Language]] (ESL) program to assist international students who are not fluent in English to come to Kentucky to study.<ref>{{Cite web|title=English as a Second Language Program|url=https://www.murraystate.edu/students/International/ESLMain/index.aspx|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Murray State University}}</ref> This program provides English-speaking, listening, reading, and writing instruction while teaching students about American culture. The ESL program also offers conversation partner practice, where international students are paired with students from the United States to practice speaking English.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Conversation partners|url=https://www.murraystate.edu/students/International/ESLMain/ESLConversationPartners.aspx|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Murray State University}}</ref>


==Campus life==
==Campus life==
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= College Scorecard: Murray State University|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?157401-Murray-State-University|website=College Scorecard |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=July 27, 2025}}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|79|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|6|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|4|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| Unknown
|align=right| {{bartable|4|%|2||background:grey}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|36|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|64|%|2||background:black}}
|}


===Residential colleges===
===Residential colleges===
[[File:HC_Franklin_Residence_Hall_at_Murray_State_University.jpg|alt=HC Franklin Residence Hall at Murray State University|HC Franklin Residence Hall at Murray State University|thumb|350x350px]]
[[File:HC_Franklin_Residence_Hall_at_Murray_State_University.jpg|alt=HC Franklin Residence Hall at Murray State University|HC Franklin Residence Hall at Murray State University|thumb|350x350px]]
As of fall 2012, Murray State had 2,831 students living on campus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.murraystate.edu/404.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423142401/http://www.murraystate.edu/quickfacts.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Page Not Found - 404|archivedate=April 23, 2013|website=www.murraystate.edu}}</ref> Murray State was the first public university in the United States to adopt a successful campus-wide [[residential college]] program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.murraystate.edu/404.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209121930/http://www.murraystate.edu/campus/residential_colleges/index.htm|url-status=dead|title=Page Not Found - 404|archivedate=February 9, 2006|website=www.murraystate.edu}}</ref> The residential college structure, which took form on the campus in 1996, is based on similar, but much more established programs at the Universities of [[University of Oxford|Oxford]] and [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]] in the [[United Kingdom]] as well as [[Yale University]], [[Harvard College]] and [[Princeton University]] in the United States.
As of fall 2012, Murray State had 2,831 students living on campus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.murraystate.edu/quickfacts.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423142401/http://www.murraystate.edu/quickfacts.aspx|url-status=dead|title=MSU Quick Facts|archivedate=April 23, 2013|website=www.murraystate.edu}}</ref> Murray State has said that it was the first public university in the United States to adopt a successful campus-wide [[residential college]] program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.murraystate.edu/campus/residential_colleges/index.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010308233032/http://www.murraystate.edu/campus/residential_colleges/index.htm|url-status=dead|title=Residential Colleges|archivedate=March 8, 2001|website=Murray State}}</ref> The residential college structure, which took form on the campus in 1996, is based on similar, but much more established programs at the Universities of [[University of Oxford|Oxford]] and [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]] in the [[United Kingdom]] as well as [[Yale University]], [[Harvard College]] and [[Princeton University]] in the United States.


The Murray State model does not include some components of the classical residential college model, such as dining halls and libraries at each college. In the Murray State model students do share central dining areas and recreation areas. However, as the older structures are being phased out, the university is taking steps with the new residential colleges to address many of those needs.
There are eight residential colleges:
 
* Clark College, named for Lee Clark, who assisted Rainey T. Wells in founding the university. Clark later served as the superintendent of grounds and buildings. The current Clark College opened in August 2007 as the first new residence hall built on campus since 1970. It is also the first residence hall at Murray to be specifically designed to support the residential college concept.
Although the physical structures of all of Murray State's residential colleges do not match those of institutions such as Oxford or Yale, the basic residential college concept was successfully implemented. All faculty, staff, and students, even those who live off-campus, are assigned to one of the eight residential colleges. Once assigned to a residential college, a person remains a member of that college throughout their time at the university.
* Elizabeth College, named for Elizabeth Harkless Woods, wife of fourth Murray State President Ralph H. Woods
 
* Hart College, named for George Hart, a board of regents member and mayor of Murray
==== Eight colleges ====
* Hester College, named for Cleo Gillis Hester, who served Murray State University from 1927 to 1960, as registrar
# Clark College, named for Lee Clark, who assisted Rainey T. Wells in founding the university. Clark later served as the superintendent of grounds and buildings. The current Clark College opened in August 2007 as the first new residence hall built on campus since 1970. It is also the first residence hall at Murray to be specifically designed to support the residential college concept.
* Regents College, named in honor of those who have served on the Murray State University Board of Regents; completed in 1970
# Elizabeth College, named for Elizabeth Harkless Woods, wife of fourth Murray State President Ralph H. Woods
* Richmond College, named for the third president of the university, James H. Richmond
# Hart College, named for George Hart, a Board of Regents member and former mayor of Murray
* Springer-Franklin College, named for O.B. Springer, member of the board of regents from 1950 to 1958 and 1960 to 1970, and Hollis C. Franklin, who served on the board from 1947 to 1956
# Hester College, named for Cleo Gillis Hester, who served Murray State University from 1927 to 1960, as registrar
* White College, named for R.H. "Bob" White, a board of regents member
# Regents College, named in honor of the outstanding citizens who have served on Murray State University's Board of Regents; completed in 1970
# Richmond College, named for the third president of the university, James H. Richmond
# Springer-Franklin College, named for O.B. Springer, member of the Board of Regents from 1950 to 1958 and 1960 to 1970, and Hollis C. Franklin, who served on the board from 1947 to 1956
# White College, named for R.H. "Bob" White, a Board of Regents member
 
===Student Government Association===
The [[Student Government Association]] (SGA) is the officially organized body governing all students and student organizations at Murray State University. Its purpose is to promote the welfare, growth, and development of student life in an environment of academic excellence, to represent the students in all phases of administrative effort, and to provide a means of promoting cooperative efforts for the general welfare of the university community. The SGA is made up of four branches: Senate, Campus Activities Board, Judicial Board, and the Residential College Association. The Senate is the main branch of SGA, and it is the governing body with the power to pass resolutions, bills, rules, and regulations necessary for the general welfare of the university, and to implement and maintain any programs consistent with SGA purposes. The president of SGA holds the student seat on the Board of Regents.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.murraystate.edu/about/administration/BoardOfRegents/index.aspx | title=Board of Regents at Murray State University }}</ref>


===Greek life===
===Greek life===
Murray State is home to twenty-six chapters of both social and professional Greek organizations. The oldest social fraternity on campus is [[Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia]] and the oldest professional fraternity is [[Sigma Alpha Iota]] (both relating to music) with the oldest social sorority being [[Sigma Sigma Sigma]]. As of the spring 2016 semester, 1,438 students were officially reported to be involved with Greek life, representing 19% of the undergraduate student population.<ref>{{cite web|title = Greek Life 15-16 Annual Report|url = https://www.murraystate.edu/Libraries/Greek/Greek%20Life%2015-16%20Annual%20Report.pdf|website = www.murraystate.edu|access-date = October 12, 2016}}</ref>
Murray State is home to twenty-six chapters of both social and professional Greek organizations. The oldest social fraternity on campus is [[Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia]] and the oldest professional fraternity is [[Sigma Alpha Iota]] (both relating to music) with the oldest social sorority being [[Sigma Sigma Sigma]]. As of the spring 2016 semester, 1,438 students were officially reported to be involved with Greek life, representing 19% of the undergraduate student population.<ref>{{cite web|title = Greek Life 15-16 Annual Report|url = https://www.murraystate.edu/Libraries/Greek/Greek%20Life%2015-16%20Annual%20Report.pdf|website = www.murraystate.edu|access-date = October 12, 2016}}</ref>


As of Fall 2019, 16% of undergraduate students make up Murray State Greek Life. The average chapter size for the Panhellenic Council is 93; Interfraternity Council is 50; and National Pan-Hellenic Council is 5. The average Greek GPA is 3.20. (All statistics come from the Murray State University Office of Greek Life website.)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.murraystate.edu/campus/orgsRecreation/StudentOrganizations/greek/greekmission.aspx | title=About Murray State Greek Life }}</ref>
As of Fall 2019, 16% of undergraduate students make up Murray State Greek Life. The average chapter size for the Panhellenic Council is 93; Interfraternity Council is 50; and National Pan-Hellenic Council is 5. The average Greek GPA is 3.20.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.murraystate.edu/campus/orgsRecreation/StudentOrganizations/greek/greekmission.aspx | title=About Murray State Greek Life }}</ref>
 
According to the Murray State University Office of Greek Life the following national organization have had chapters on campus.  Those in bold indicate that they are currently active organizations.<ref name=gl>{{cite web | url=https://www.murraystate.edu/campus/orgsRecreation/StudentOrganizations/greek/organizations.aspx | title=Greek Organizations }}</ref>


The [[Order of Omega]] has a chapter on campus.  This organization is an honor society for fraternity and sorority members.  Membership is limited to 5% of the Greek community.<ref name = gl/>  The Greek community also featured a local sorority from 1988 to 1994. Theta Chi Delta sorority was a member of MSU's Panhellenic Council and participated in most campus events. In 1994 the sorority became a colony of [[Phi Sigma Sigma]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jpda.murraystate.edu/greenstone/collect/dullrich-yearbo69/index/assoc/HASHc063.dir/doc.pdf |title=New Greek Traditions |publisher=Jpda.murraystate.edu |access-date=June 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529221412/http://jpda.murraystate.edu/greenstone/collect/dullrich-yearbo69/index/assoc/HASHc063.dir/doc.pdf |archive-date=May 29, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but the colonization was unsuccessful and the organization folded in 1995.
The [[Order of Omega]] has a chapter on campus.  This organization is an honor society for fraternity and sorority members.  Membership is limited to 5% of the Greek community.<ref name=gl>{{cite web | url=https://www.murraystate.edu/campus/orgsRecreation/StudentOrganizations/greek/organizations.aspx | title=Greek Organizations }}</ref>  The Greek community also featured a local sorority from 1988 to 1994. Theta Chi Delta sorority was a member of MSU's Panhellenic Council and participated in most campus events. In 1994 the sorority became a colony of [[Phi Sigma Sigma]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jpda.murraystate.edu/greenstone/collect/dullrich-yearbo69/index/assoc/HASHc063.dir/doc.pdf |title=New Greek Traditions |publisher=Jpda.murraystate.edu |access-date=June 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529221412/http://jpda.murraystate.edu/greenstone/collect/dullrich-yearbo69/index/assoc/HASHc063.dir/doc.pdf |archive-date=May 29, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but the colonization was unsuccessful and the organization folded in 1995.


Greek life has been banned on campus several times in past decades, namely 2012 and 2018. The 2012 incidents involved [[Alpha Gamma Rho]] and [[Alpha Tau Omega]] fraternity houses.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Medovich |first=Olivia |date=March 9, 2012 |title=Suspended: Fraternity social activities prohibited during University's investigation |work=Murray State News |url=https://murraystatenews.org/4934/news/suspended-fraternity-social-activities-prohibited-during-universitys-investigation/ |access-date=August 14, 2023}}</ref> The 2018 ban on Greek life and social events followed the death of 19-year-old Zach Wardrip.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 13, 2018 |title=Murray State to announce Greek policy changes today |work=Murray Ledger |url=https://www.murrayledger.com |access-date=August 14, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 18, 2018 |title=Report: death at MSU frat an accident, grand jury finds no criminal liability; Family's lawyer says civil action 'likely' |work=Murray Ledger |url=https://www.murrayledger.com/news/report-death-at-msu-frat-an-accident-grand-jury-finds-no-criminal-liability-family-s/article_05f07e2a-e933-11e8-957c-838676dc985f.html |access-date=June 6, 2025}}</ref>
Greek life has been banned on campus several times in past decades, namely 2012 and 2018. The 2012 incidents involved [[Alpha Gamma Rho]] and [[Alpha Tau Omega]] fraternity houses.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Medovich |first=Olivia |date=March 9, 2012 |title=Suspended: Fraternity social activities prohibited during University's investigation |work=Murray State News |url=https://murraystatenews.org/4934/news/suspended-fraternity-social-activities-prohibited-during-universitys-investigation/ |access-date=August 14, 2023}}</ref> The 2018 ban on Greek life and social events followed the death of 19-year-old Zach Wardrip.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 13, 2018 |title=Murray State to announce Greek policy changes today |work=Murray Ledger |url=https://www.murrayledger.com |access-date=August 14, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 18, 2018 |title=Report: death at MSU frat an accident, grand jury finds no criminal liability; Family's lawyer says civil action 'likely' |work=Murray Ledger |url=https://www.murrayledger.com/news/report-death-at-msu-frat-an-accident-grand-jury-finds-no-criminal-liability-family-s/article_05f07e2a-e933-11e8-957c-838676dc985f.html |access-date=June 6, 2025}}</ref>
===Traditions===
====Alma mater====
The alma mater of Murray State University is sung to the tune of "[[Annie Lisle]]" and has two verses. A.B. Austin, one-time Dean of Men, wrote the words in 1935. It is traditionally sung at student orientation, convocation and commencement ceremonies, athletic events, and other special events on campus.
====All-Campus Sing====
All-Campus Sing is an annual event, first held in 1958, that takes place each April in which residential colleges, fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations compete in a choreographed song and dance competition. The event is hosted by the Iota Beta chapter of [[Sigma Alpha Iota]] (the original organizer of the event), with financial assistance from the MSU Alumni Association and the Office of Student Affairs. It is held on the steps of historic Lovett Auditorium.<ref>{{cite web|last=McClain |first=Sherry |url=http://murrayledger.com/news/annual-all-campus-sing-set-for-april/article_058a2808-62bf-11e0-ad5f-001cc4c03286.html |title=Annual All Campus Sing set for April 13 - Murray Ledger & Times: News |publisher=Murrayledger.com |date=April 9, 2011 |access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref><ref name="backingthepack.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.backingthepack.com/2009/9/8/1021358/getting-to-know-murray-state |title=Getting To Know Murray State |date=8 September 2009 |publisher=Backing The Pack |access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref>
====Campus Lights====
Campus Lights is the longest-running student-produced and performed musical in the South. The show was started in 1938 by the Gamma Delta chapter of [[Phi Mu Alpha]] as a fundraiser to pay the chapter's chartering fees. Campus Lights is now produced by a joint effort of the Gamma Delta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha and the Iota Beta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. All proceeds from the show are given to the Department of Music to fund scholarships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.org/2012/01/19/cast-performs-in-tragic-musical/ |title=Cast performs in tragic musical |publisher=TheNews.org |date=January 19, 2012 |access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.campuslights.org/ |title=Murray State University |publisher=Campus Lights |access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref>
====Racer One====
In 1976, the tradition of having a thoroughbred run around the track after every MSU football touchdown began. The name of that first racehorse was Violet Cactus. She died in 1984 and was buried at Roy Stewart Stadium, near the area where the current Racer One begins its run around the football field after a Racer touchdown. She is the only mascot to be interred inside the walls of the stadium. Since 1985, each horse that has circled the football field after touchdowns has been known as Racer One. Several horses have filled the role of Racer One since 1985, and the position is currently held by a horse named Vegas. Each fall, sophomores and juniors with riding experience can try out to serve as jockeys of Racer One for the following football season. The position is typically held by a student in his or her senior year.<ref name="backingthepack.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://msublueandgold.org/2017/08/clear-the-track-racer-one-returns-this-fall/|title=Clear the track! Racer One returns this fall – The Blue & Gold|access-date=January 23, 2019}}</ref>
====Shoe Tree====
[[File:Murray State University Shoe Tree, July 2021.jpg|thumb|The Shoe Tree in July 2021]]
Located in front of Pogue Library, Murray State tradition dictates if a couple gets married after meeting at Murray State, they return to the Quad and each one nails one of their shoes to the "Shoe Tree." Many of the shoes include names and dates written on them. If the couple has a baby, the baby's shoes are sometimes also nailed to the tree. The shoe tree tradition originated around 1965.<ref name=":0" /> This tree (due to the high zinc content from the nails) is a common target of lightning and has caught fire in the past. Previous incarnations of the Shoe Tree were removed in 1999 and 2015 due to safety reasons; the tradition continues through the third tree.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.murraystate.edu/Campus/traditions.aspx |title=MSU Traditions |publisher=Murraystate.edu |access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Scoby|first=Courtney|date=21 January 2016|title=Shoe Tree finds new home|url=http://thenews.org/2016/01/21/shoe-tree-finds-new-home/|access-date=28 July 2021|website=The Murray State News}}</ref> The Shoe Tree was featured in Danish pop band [[Lukas Graham|Lukas Graham's]] September 2018 music video for their song [[Love Someone (Lukas Graham song)|"Love Someone."]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://msublueandgold.org/2018/10/murray-states-shoe-tree-expands-roots-in-love-someone-music-video/|title=Murray State's Shoe Tree expands roots in 'Love Someone' music video|date=October 25, 2018|website=The Blue & Gold|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref>
====Tent City====
An annual tradition since 1989, Tent City is an event that takes place before every [[homecoming]] football game. At Tent City, more than 50 tents are set up on the track at [[Roy Stewart Stadium]], representing fraternities, sororities, student organizations, and residential colleges. An average of 100 organizations participate each year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.raceralumni.com/s/1165/index.aspx?sid=1165&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=4103&ecid=4103&crid=0&calpgid=13&calcid=664|title=Homecoming 2015|last=Sommerfeldt|first=Alissa|date=2015|website=Murray State University Alumni Association|access-date=May 4, 2016}}</ref> Students use this event as a chance to talk to and meet with alumni to help raise money for their activities throughout the school year.


==Athletics==
==Athletics==
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===Move to the MVC===
===Move to the MVC===
In July 2022, Murray State<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://mvc-sports.com/news/2022/1/7/general-murray-state-university-joins-the-missouri-valley-conference.aspx |title=Murray State University Joins The Missouri Valley Conference|publisher=Missouri Valley Conference |date=January 7, 2022|access-date=January 7, 2022}}</ref> and Belmont<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://belmontbruins.com/general/2021-22/releases/20210927xedytv |title=Belmont University to Join Missouri Valley Conference |publisher=Belmont Bruins |date=September 28, 2021 |accessdate=September 28, 2021 |archive-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928153145/https://belmontbruins.com/general/2021-22/releases/20210927xedytv |url-status=dead }}</ref> will both leave the OVC to join the MVC. Because the MVC does not sponsor football, Murray State plans to remain in OVC football for the 2022 season before leaving for the [[Missouri Valley Football Conference]] (a separate entity from the MVC) in 2023.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.murrayledger.com/news/local/murray-state-accepts-mvc-invitation/article_a39e8528-71ab-11ec-9869-c3dcb945c1a2.html |title=Murray State accepts MVC invitation |first=John |last=Wright |newspaper=Murray Ledger & Times |location=Murray, KY |date=January 10, 2022 |accessdate=January 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://valley-football.org/news/2022/4/3/murray-state-football-to-join-missouri-valley-football-conference-july-of-2023.aspx |title=Murray State Football To Join Missouri Valley Football Conference July of 2023 |publisher=Missouri Valley Football Conference |date=April 4, 2022 |accessdate=April 6, 2022 |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404175326/https://valley-football.org/news/2022/4/3/murray-state-football-to-join-missouri-valley-football-conference-july-of-2023.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> MSU will also maintain OVC membership in [[NCAA Rifle Championship|rifle]], another sport not sponsored by the MVC.
In July 2022, Murray State<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://mvc-sports.com/news/2022/1/7/general-murray-state-university-joins-the-missouri-valley-conference.aspx |title=Murray State University Joins The Missouri Valley Conference|publisher=Missouri Valley Conference |date=January 7, 2022|access-date=January 7, 2022}}</ref> and Belmont<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://belmontbruins.com/general/2021-22/releases/20210927xedytv |title=Belmont University to Join Missouri Valley Conference |publisher=Belmont Bruins |date=September 28, 2021 |accessdate=September 28, 2021 |archive-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928153145/https://belmontbruins.com/general/2021-22/releases/20210927xedytv |url-status=dead }}</ref> left the OVC to join the MVC. Because the MVC does not sponsor football, Murray State remained in OVC football for the 2022 season before leaving for the [[Missouri Valley Football Conference]] (a separate entity from the MVC) in 2023.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.murrayledger.com/news/local/murray-state-accepts-mvc-invitation/article_a39e8528-71ab-11ec-9869-c3dcb945c1a2.html |title=Murray State accepts MVC invitation |first=John |last=Wright |newspaper=Murray Ledger & Times |location=Murray, KY |date=January 10, 2022 |accessdate=January 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://valley-football.org/news/2022/4/3/murray-state-football-to-join-missouri-valley-football-conference-july-of-2023.aspx |title=Murray State Football To Join Missouri Valley Football Conference July of 2023 |publisher=Missouri Valley Football Conference |date=April 4, 2022 |accessdate=April 6, 2022 |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404175326/https://valley-football.org/news/2022/4/3/murray-state-football-to-join-missouri-valley-football-conference-july-of-2023.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> MSU maintains OVC membership in [[NCAA Rifle Championship|rifle]], another sport not sponsored by the MVC.


===Accomplishments===
===Accomplishments===
Murray State is particularly renowned for its [[Murray State Racers men's basketball|men's basketball program]], which has made 18 appearances in the [[NCAA]] Tournament, most recently in [[2022 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2022]]. In [[2010 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2010]], as a 13-seed, Murray State won their second-ever NCAA tournament game on a buzzer-beater against 4th-seeded Vanderbilt. Former [[Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball|Alabama]] head basketball coach [[Mark Gottfried]] coached the Racers to three Ohio Valley Conference Championships all three years he coached there, the only OVC coach to accomplish such a mark.<ref>{{cite web|title=''2015-16 Men's Basketball Coaching Staff''|work=gopack.com |url=http://gopack.com/coaches.aspx?rc=196}}</ref> The Racer men's basketball team was also led to the [[2012 Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball tournament|2012 OVC championship]] by Coach Steve Prohm. The basketball program has been recognized as one of the top 30 basketball programs in modern history by ESPN.<ref>{{cite web|title=''MSU Basketball 30th in ESPN Rankings''|work=goracers.com |url=http://www.goracers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=32202&SPID=2583&DB_OEM_ID=6700&ATCLID=1523117&KEY=&DB_OEM_ID=6700&DB_LANG=&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=.}}</ref>
Murray State's [[Murray State Racers men's basketball|men's basketball program]] has made 18 appearances in the [[NCAA]] Tournament, most recently in [[2022 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2022]]. In [[2010 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2010]], as a 13-seed, Murray State won their second-ever NCAA tournament game on a buzzer-beater against 4th-seeded Vanderbilt. [[Mark Gottfried]] coached the Racers to three Ohio Valley Conference Championships all three years he coached there, the only OVC coach to accomplish such a mark.<ref>{{cite web|title=''2015-16 Men's Basketball Coaching Staff''|work=gopack.com |url=http://gopack.com/coaches.aspx?rc=196}}</ref> The Racer men's basketball team was also led to the [[2012 Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball tournament|2012 OVC championship]] by Coach Steve Prohm.


Murray State also is home to one of the nation's top rifle programs. The Racers claimed national championships in 1978 (NRA), 1985 ([[NCAA Rifle Championship|NCAA]]) and 1987 (NCAA) and have produced six individual [[NCAA]] national champions, including two-time national titlist and [[1984 Summer Olympics]] gold medalist [[Pat Spurgin]]. In addition, MSU is also recognized as a National Historic Chemical Landmark (NHCL) for William Kelly's Iron and Steel Making Process [NHCL, American Chemical Society, 2015].<ref name="Chemical Landmark">{{cite web |title=Kelly Pneumatic Iron Process |url=https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/kelly-iron.html |website=American Chemical Society |access-date=7 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
[[Frank Beamer]] and [[Houston Nutt]] are both former Racers head coaches. Former [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]] head coach [[Ralph Friedgen]] was a Racers assistant under Beamer, and former [[Illinois Fighting Illini football|Illinois]] head coach [[Ron Zook]] was an assistant under former [[ESPN]] college football analyst [[Mike Gottfried]], who was Beamer's predecessor as head coach.
 
The [[American football|football]] program has become a stepping-stone to major college-coaching success. [[Frank Beamer]], the former [[Virginia Tech Hokies football|Virginia Tech]] head coach who built that program into a national power in the 1990s and early 2000s, and former [[Ole Miss Rebels football|Ole Miss]] head coach [[Houston Nutt]] are both former Racers head coaches. Former [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]] head coach [[Ralph Friedgen]] was a Racers assistant under Beamer, and former [[Illinois Fighting Illini football|Illinois]] head coach [[Ron Zook]] was an assistant under former [[ESPN]] college football analyst [[Mike Gottfried]], who was Beamer's predecessor as head coach.
 
The baseball program reached its highest success in its history in 2025 when they made their first ever appearance in the Men's College World Series.
 
Murray State is also the home of a nationally ranked collegiate bass fishing team that has won multiple titles, including national championships.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.collegiatebasschampionship.com/murray-state-claims-title.html|title=Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship - Murray State Champions|last=LLC|first=CarecoTV|website=www.collegiatebasschampionship.com|access-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807094420/http://www.collegiatebasschampionship.com/murray-state-claims-title.html|archive-date=August 7, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Publications==
==Publications==
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The university's national literary magazine, ''New Madrid'' with editor Ann Neelon, featured work from a range of nationally recognized authors and received acclaim from sources as diverse as ''La Bloga'', a leading Hispanic journal, and ''New Pages'', a leading national review of literary magazines. A lack of funding led to the suspension of publication in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newmadridjournal.org/|title=New Madrid – Journal of Contemporary Literature|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref>
The university's national literary magazine, ''New Madrid'' with editor Ann Neelon, featured work from a range of nationally recognized authors and received acclaim from sources as diverse as ''La Bloga'', a leading Hispanic journal, and ''New Pages'', a leading national review of literary magazines. A lack of funding led to the suspension of publication in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newmadridjournal.org/|title=New Madrid – Journal of Contemporary Literature|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-11}}</ref>


== Former Presidents==
== Presidents==
Presidents of the university include:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.murraystate.edu/about/administration/PresidentsOffice/HistoryoftheOffice.aspx|title=History of the President's Office &#124; Murray State University|website=murraystate.edu}}</ref>
Presidents of the university include:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.murraystate.edu/about/administration/PresidentsOffice/HistoryoftheOffice.aspx|title=History of the President's Office &#124; Murray State University|website=murraystate.edu}}</ref>
# John W. Carr, 1923–1926
# John W. Carr, 1923–1926
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# [[Thomas I. Miller|Tim Miller]], 2013–2014
# [[Thomas I. Miller|Tim Miller]], 2013–2014
# Robert O. Davies, 2014–2018
# Robert O. Davies, 2014–2018
# Robert Jackson, 2018–present
# [[Bob_Jackson_(Kentucky_politician)|Robert L. Jackson]], 2018–2025
# [[Ron K. Patterson]], 2025–present


==Notable alumni==
==Notable alumni==
{{Main|List of Murray State University alumni}}
{{Main|List of Murray State University alumni}}
==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 17:05, 19 December 2025

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Murray State University (MSU) is a public university in Murray, Kentucky, United States. In addition to the main campus in Calloway County in southwestern Kentucky, Murray State operates extended campuses offering upper-level and graduate courses in Paducah, Hopkinsville, Madisonville, and Henderson.

History

Murray State University was founded after the passage of Senate Bill 14 by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which created two normal schools in the early 20th century to address the growing demand for professional teachers. One was to be located in the western part of the state, and many cities and towns bid for the new normal school. Rainey T. Wells spoke on behalf of the city of Murray to convince the Normal School Commission to choose his city. On September 2, 1922, Murray was chosen as the site of the western normal school, while Morehead was chosen for the eastern normal school. On November 26, 1922, John Wesley Carr was elected the first president of the Murray State Normal School by the State Board of Education. Believing it had the authority to elect the president, the Normal School Commission picked Rainey Wells as the first president. On May 15, 1923, the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled for the State Board of Education, and Carr became Murray's first president.

File:Wrather West Kentucky Museum.jpg
Wrather West Kentucky Museum, the first building on MSU's campus

Murray State Normal School opened on September 24, 1923.[1] In 1924, the first building on Murray State's campus, the Administrative Building, was constructed.[2] Before this, all MSU classes had been held on the first floor of what is now Murray Middle School, located on Main Street.[3] Designed by Joseph & Joseph in the Collegiate Gothic style[4] the Administrative Building, later known as Wrather Hall, housed classrooms, a dining hall, offices, and a chapel. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, and renovated soon after, finally being renamed to Wrather West Kentucky Museum, named for Murray State executive vice-president Marvin O. Wrather.[2][4] All students lived at home or boarded with local families until the first dormitory, Wells Hall, was constructed in 1925. Wilson Hall was also completed under Carr's presidency, with other structures in progress.

In 1926, Rainey T. Wells, recognized as the founder of Murray State, became its second president. Wells served from 1926 to 1932, and during this time Lovett Auditorium, Carr Health Building, and Pogue Library were all completed. In 1926, the Normal School was renamed Murray State Normal School and Teachers College, with a four-year curriculum, and the General Assembly granted it authority to confer baccalaureate degrees. In 1928, the college was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1930, the name was changed to Murray State Teachers College and it was granted authority to offer liberal arts and pre-professional courses. The name was changed again in 1948 to Murray State College, with the expansion of the programs to include graduate-level courses, in 1966 the General Assembly authorized the Board of Regents to change the name to Murray State University.

Shield

File:Murray State University Shield.png
Murray State University Shield

The Shield has the heraldic coat of arms of the family of William Murray, Earl of Mansfield, and Lord Chief Justice of Great Britain in 1756. William Murray is an ancestor of the Murray family from whom the city and the university take their names. The shield is blue with a double gold border—its three stars represent hope, endeavor, and achievement.

Campus

Quad

Two students walk out of Pogue Library near the statue of founder Rainey T. Wells.
Two students walk out of Pogue Library near the statue of founder Rainey T. Wells.

The oldest and most easily recognizable buildings on the Murray State campus are situated around a large, grassy, tree-lined area on the south side of the campus. This part of the campus, known as the Quad, is bounded by 16th Street to the west, 15th Street to the east, Lovett Auditorium to the north, and Wilson Hall to the south.

In the southwest corner of the Quad is the oldest building on campus, now known as Wrather West Kentucky Museum. It was first known as the Administration Building and then as Wrather Hall, and housed classrooms and offices, before it became a museum. Ground for Wrather was broken on October 15, 1923, and it has been in use since 1924. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975,[2] and features a large auditorium that is frequently used for lectures and meetings.

Faculty Hall, Wells Hall, and the Arthur J. Bauernfeind Business Building line the western edge of the Quad. The Lowry Center, Pogue Library, and the Price Doyle Fine Arts Center line the eastern side of the Quad. The 11-story Doyle Fine Arts Center is the tallest building on campus, housing numerous classrooms, practice rooms, recital halls, the Robert E. Johnson Theatre, Clara Eagle Art Gallery, WKMS-FM, and television studios used for student work.

File:Sparks Hall, Murray State University.jpg
Sparks Hall

Directly south of the Quad is Sparks Hall. The five-story, 39,000-square-foot (3,600 m2), Sparks Hall was completed in 1967 for $1,308,514,Script error: No such module "Unsubst". and functions as the main administrative building, housing the offices of student financial aid, registration, accounting and financial services, human resources and branding, marketing and communication.

To the south of the Quadrangle, and directly west of Sparks Hall is Oakhurst, the residence of the university president. Construction of the mansion, originally known as Edgewood, began in 1917 and was completed in 1918. The home was built by Rainey T. Wells and his wife. The board of regents purchased the home from Wells in June 1936. It was remodeled that year and renamed Oakhurst in preparation for James H. Richmond's occupation of the house.[5]

Central campus

The central portion of the Murray State campus lines 15th Street between Chestnut Street and Olive Boulevard. This portion of 15th Street was originally open to automobile traffic but has since been closed and converted into a pedestrian thoroughfare. Along the west side of the pedestrian pathway are the Martha Layne Collins Center for Industry and Technology, Blackburn Science Building, and Oakley Applied Science Building. To the east of the pedestrian pathway lies the Curris Center, Carr Health Building and Cutchin Fieldhouse, Waterfield Library, Mason Hall, and the front facade of the now-demolished Ordway Hall. Woods Hall, a former dormitory located behind Waterfield Library, was razed in the summer of 2019, and the space it occupied will soon be replaced with a park.[6]

Ordway Hall was the most historic building in the central portion of campus. It was completed in 1931. Originally used as a men's dormitory, 38,600-square-foot Ordway Hall later housed event space and several offices. Because of costly renovation needs, Ordway was razed in 2013. The front facade was retained as a monument to its significance.[7][8]

Science campus

File:AlexanderHallMSU.JPG
Alexander Hall, named for former Murray State president Kern Alexander

An aggressive building campaign on campus has resulted in a westward expansion of the main academic campus of Murray State. The expansion began with a massive renovation and expansion of what is now known as Alexander Hall on the west side of 16th Street near Calloway Avenue. The project was the first to unveil a new architectural style that would become consistent through all renovation and new construction projects on campus. Alexander Hall houses classrooms and offices for the College of Education. Construction continued with the new state-of-the-art science complex for biology and chemistry that is located just to the southwest of Alexander Hall. The massive new science complex was constructed in phases, with the Biology Building (Logan Hall) opening in 2004, and the rest of the complex and centerpiece clock tower reaching completion in March 2008. The new clock tower was dedicated in 2007 as the Jesse L. Jones Family Clock Tower. A physics and engineering building was completed in the summer of 2017.

Sports and recreation facilities

File:StewartStadiumMSU.JPG
Roy Stewart Stadium

The majority of the university's sports and recreation facilities are located on the northernmost edge of the campus, along the KY-121 Bypass. The most prominent structure in the sports complex is Roy Stewart Stadium. The stadium, the home field to the Murray State Racers football program, was completed in 1973 and named for former Murray State football coach Roy Stewart. It seats 16,800. The outdated AstroTurf surface was replaced with FieldTurf in 2007. Located on the second floor of the seven-story press box and seating structure is the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range, home of the three-time NCAA champion rifle squad. The 8,602-seat CFSB Center was completed in 1998 to replace the aging Racer Arena, which had been outgrown by the men's and women's basketball teams. Racer Arena remains in use by the women's volleyball team.

On April 16, 2005, the new Susan E. Bauernfeind Student Recreation and Wellness Center was dedicated. The Script error: No such module "convert". student recreation center includes a swimming pool, two racquetball courts, a walking/jogging track, an aerobic studio, basketball courts, and free weights and cardio workout machines. The center is located just north of the residential colleges, near Roy Stewart Stadium.

Residence halls

A building campaign is underway to replace many of the older residence halls. A replacement building for Clark College was completed and ready for residents at the beginning of the 2007 fall semester. Clark Hall was the newest building, and the first residence hall specifically designed around the residential college concept and model. A new four-story, 270-bed, 79,900-square foot Richmond Hall was opened for James H. Richmond Residential College in fall 2009.[9] It has a similar concept and design as Clark College. In the fall of 2009, the old Clark Hall building was torn down.

Following the completion of the spring 2011 semester, the university began renovation to Elizabeth Hall, which houses the Elizabeth Residential College. The $7.2 million renovation project closed the building for the entire 2011–12 academic year as the highrise was upgraded to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The renovation also included new heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver status.[10] The renovated Elizabeth Hall reopened on August 18, 2012.[11] The university broke ground in March 2025 on a new learning commons/residence hall.[12]

Academics

Murray State University offers eleven associate programs, 64 bachelor programs, 42 master and specialist programs, and three doctoral programs which are administered through four academic colleges, two schools, 30 departments, and one joint program shared by the College of Business and the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology. The College of Business is the largest at Murray State, enrolling 23% of the undergraduate students.

Murray State has been institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, continuously since 1928. It is one of eight schools in the state of Kentucky to achieve AACSB accreditation of business programs;[13] however, the school is not AACSB-accredited in accounting programs.[14] Several other programs have achieved specialized accreditation: primarily programs in teaching, fine arts and nursing. As a former normal school and teachers' college, Murray State is best known for its NCATE-accredited education programs. The Clinical Psychology Master's program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).[15] The university has also gained national recognition for its fine arts programs. The Department of Music has been a member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1936.[16]

Rankings

For more than 30 years, Murray State University has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges as one of the top regional universities in the United States. The 2025 rankings listed Murray State as the #1 Best Value School in the South region. Murray State has consistently been one of the top-ranked public regional universities in Kentucky in the Regional Universities-South category, which consists of both private and public schools. Murray State has also been ranked by Forbes among America's Top Colleges since 2008.[17][18][19]

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002
U.S. News & World Report Regional Universities - South (Overall) 24 35 28 26 24 20 25 22 20 18 14 15 17 21 21 18 18
U.S. News & World Report Regional Universities - South (Public Schools) 11 12 9 9 8 7 8 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 7 4 5
Forbes America's Top Colleges 613 588 547[20] 481[21] 421[22] 322[23]

Tuition policies

Presumably, due to its location near multiple state borders, Murray State offers discounts from its normal out-of-state tuition rates to residents of several regional states.[24][25] These discounts apply only to residential students; all online students pay the same rate regardless of residency. Tuition for doctoral students also does not vary by state of residence.[26]

Campus life

Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023[27]
Race and ethnicity Total
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Economic diversity
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Residential colleges

HC Franklin Residence Hall at Murray State University
HC Franklin Residence Hall at Murray State University

As of fall 2012, Murray State had 2,831 students living on campus.[28] Murray State has said that it was the first public university in the United States to adopt a successful campus-wide residential college program.[29] The residential college structure, which took form on the campus in 1996, is based on similar, but much more established programs at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge in the United Kingdom as well as Yale University, Harvard College and Princeton University in the United States.

There are eight residential colleges:

  • Clark College, named for Lee Clark, who assisted Rainey T. Wells in founding the university. Clark later served as the superintendent of grounds and buildings. The current Clark College opened in August 2007 as the first new residence hall built on campus since 1970. It is also the first residence hall at Murray to be specifically designed to support the residential college concept.
  • Elizabeth College, named for Elizabeth Harkless Woods, wife of fourth Murray State President Ralph H. Woods
  • Hart College, named for George Hart, a board of regents member and mayor of Murray
  • Hester College, named for Cleo Gillis Hester, who served Murray State University from 1927 to 1960, as registrar
  • Regents College, named in honor of those who have served on the Murray State University Board of Regents; completed in 1970
  • Richmond College, named for the third president of the university, James H. Richmond
  • Springer-Franklin College, named for O.B. Springer, member of the board of regents from 1950 to 1958 and 1960 to 1970, and Hollis C. Franklin, who served on the board from 1947 to 1956
  • White College, named for R.H. "Bob" White, a board of regents member

Greek life

Murray State is home to twenty-six chapters of both social and professional Greek organizations. The oldest social fraternity on campus is Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and the oldest professional fraternity is Sigma Alpha Iota (both relating to music) with the oldest social sorority being Sigma Sigma Sigma. As of the spring 2016 semester, 1,438 students were officially reported to be involved with Greek life, representing 19% of the undergraduate student population.[30]

As of Fall 2019, 16% of undergraduate students make up Murray State Greek Life. The average chapter size for the Panhellenic Council is 93; Interfraternity Council is 50; and National Pan-Hellenic Council is 5. The average Greek GPA is 3.20.[31]

The Order of Omega has a chapter on campus. This organization is an honor society for fraternity and sorority members. Membership is limited to 5% of the Greek community.[32] The Greek community also featured a local sorority from 1988 to 1994. Theta Chi Delta sorority was a member of MSU's Panhellenic Council and participated in most campus events. In 1994 the sorority became a colony of Phi Sigma Sigma[33] but the colonization was unsuccessful and the organization folded in 1995.

Greek life has been banned on campus several times in past decades, namely 2012 and 2018. The 2012 incidents involved Alpha Gamma Rho and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity houses.[34] The 2018 ban on Greek life and social events followed the death of 19-year-old Zach Wardrip.[35][36]

Athletics

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File:Murray State Racers wordmark.svg
Murray State Athletics wordmark

The Murray State athletic teams are called the Racers. Their historic nickname had been the "Thoroughbreds", but all teams changed over time to "Racers", with the last holdout of baseball making the change in 2014. The university is a member of the NCAA Division I ranks (for football, the Football Championship Subdivision), primarily competing in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) since the 2022–23 academic year. The Racers previously competed in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) from 1948–49 to 2021–22; and in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (currently known as the River States Conference (RSC) since the 2016–17 school year) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1933–34 to 1947–48.

Murray State competes in 15 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, and golf; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball; and co-ed sports include rifle.

Move to the MVC

In July 2022, Murray State[37] and Belmont[38] left the OVC to join the MVC. Because the MVC does not sponsor football, Murray State remained in OVC football for the 2022 season before leaving for the Missouri Valley Football Conference (a separate entity from the MVC) in 2023.[39][40] MSU maintains OVC membership in rifle, another sport not sponsored by the MVC.

Accomplishments

Murray State's men's basketball program has made 18 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, most recently in 2022. In 2010, as a 13-seed, Murray State won their second-ever NCAA tournament game on a buzzer-beater against 4th-seeded Vanderbilt. Mark Gottfried coached the Racers to three Ohio Valley Conference Championships all three years he coached there, the only OVC coach to accomplish such a mark.[41] The Racer men's basketball team was also led to the 2012 OVC championship by Coach Steve Prohm.

Frank Beamer and Houston Nutt are both former Racers head coaches. Former Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen was a Racers assistant under Beamer, and former Illinois head coach Ron Zook was an assistant under former ESPN college football analyst Mike Gottfried, who was Beamer's predecessor as head coach.

Publications

The Murray State News is the student newspaper of Murray State University. The newspaper has been the recipient of several ACP Pacemaker awards, the highest award given to collegiate newspapers, most recently in 2004.[42] In October 2013 the newspaper won third place best-in-show for four-year weekly broadcast at the National College Media Convention in New Orleans. The Murray State News gained notoriety between 1998 and 2001 through the work of cartoonist Darin Shock. Shock earned the honor of top college cartoonist in the nation from the College Media Advisers in 2000. He had earned second-place honors the previous year.[43]

Gateway Magazine is a full-color, glossy magazine published annually as an imprint of The Murray State News.

The school yearbook, The Shield, was awarded three Pacemaker awards and two CSPA Silver Crowns.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The Shield ceased publication with its 2008 edition due to financial concerns.[44]

The university's national literary magazine, New Madrid with editor Ann Neelon, featured work from a range of nationally recognized authors and received acclaim from sources as diverse as La Bloga, a leading Hispanic journal, and New Pages, a leading national review of literary magazines. A lack of funding led to the suspension of publication in 2018.[45]

Presidents

Presidents of the university include:[46]

  1. John W. Carr, 1923–1926
  2. Rainey T. Wells, 1926–1932
  3. John W. Carr, 1933–1936
  4. James H. Richmond, 1936–1945
  5. Ralph H. Woods, 1945–1968
  6. Harry M. Sparks, 1968–1973
  7. Constantine W. Curris, 1973–1983
  8. Kala M. Stroup, 1983–1990
  9. James L. Booth, 1989–1990 (Acting)
  10. Ronald J. Kurth, 1990–1994
  11. Samuel Kern Alexander, 1994–2001
  12. Fieldon King Alexander, 2001–2005
  13. Samuel Kern Alexander, 2006 (interim)
  14. Tim Miller, 2006 (interim)
  15. Randy J. Dunn, 2006–2013
  16. Tim Miller, 2013–2014
  17. Robert O. Davies, 2014–2018
  18. Robert L. Jackson, 2018–2025
  19. Ron K. Patterson, 2025–present

Notable alumni

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Notes

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References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Fifty Years of Progress: A History of Murray State University. 1973. p 93
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Fifty Years of Progress: A History of Murray State University. 1973. p 85
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ "Cartoonist named top college artithe st in nation". The Murray State News. November 17, 2000. p.7.
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

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