Murray State University

Murray State University Summary

Murray State University, located in the town of Murray in Kentucky’s far-western Jackson Purchase in the United States, is an approximately 10,000-student, four-year public university. The history of Murray State University can be traced to the passage of Senate Bill 14 by the General Assembly, which would create two normal schools to address the growing demand for professional teachers. On September 2, 1922, Murray was chosen as the site of the new western normal school, and Morehead was chosen as the site for the eastern normal school. On November 26, 1922, John Wesley Carr was elected as the first president of the Murray State Normal School by the State Board of Education. Opening day for Murray State Normal School was September 23, 1923. Until the first building was completed, now Wrather Hall, the Normal School held classes on the first floor of Murray High School. William Murray is an ancestor of the Murray family from whom the city and the University take their names. President Alexander left Murray State at the end of 2005 to accept a position as president of Long Beach State. While “Public Ivy” generally refers to a public school that excels on a national level and is competitive with the traditional ivy league schools, Murray State uses the term to emphasize its strive to maintain a strong academic reputation and high marks when compared with other regional public universities. Murray State was the first public university in the nation to adopt a successful campus-wide residential college program . Although the physical structures of Murray State’s residential colleges do not compare to those of the elite institutions, the basic residential college concept was effectively implemented. Once assigned to a residential college, a person remains a member of that college throughout their time at the University, developing friendships, traditions and lasting bonds that are meant to endure years after leaving Murray State. The eight colleges of Murray State The Student Government Association, commonly known as SGA, is the officially organized body governing all students and student organizations at Murray State University. Although Murray State has a fairly low percentage of students involved with Greek life, those students have traditionally maintained control of the Student Government Association. North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) chapters Murray State also has a chapter of Kappa Sigma (Founded Dec. 2, 2006), who’s nationals are not a member of the NIC. Its student newspaper, The Murray State News, has been awarded two Pacemaker awards in the last decade, the highest award given to collegiate newspapers;

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Murray State University History

Murray State University is located in Murray, Kentucky. It also has an extensive extended education program, which serves 18 counties. It was founded in 1922 and received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1928 and now awards bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist degrees. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Murray State University’s mission statement states that, “Teaching, research, and service excellence are core values and guiding principles that promote economic development and the well-being of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the region.”

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Murray State University Academics

The University is composed of a number of different schools and colleges: the College of Business and Public Affairs, the College of Education, the College of Health Sciences and Human Services, the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, and the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. There is also a School of Graduate Studies and a School of Agriculture. There is an undergraduate honors program.

Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in a number of different disciplines, including accounting, computer science, management, education, art, he English in philosophy, music, biology, wildlife conservation biology, engineering, Agriculture science, and pre-veterinary medicine. There are additional preprofessional programs in medicine, dentistry, and physical therapy.

Master’s degrees are awarded in accounting, communication, education, nursing, English, psychology, biological science, industrial engineering technology, and Agriculture, among others. An MBA is awarded, and there is a Master of Public Administration program. Specialist degrees (Ed.S.) in education are available in the fields of early elementary, middle school, and secondary education.

Murray State includes five academic colleges, nine residential colleges, and a school of agriculture. While the Murray State campus is the main campus, its academic programs extend to four partner campuses in the area. Eighty-nine percent of the faculty are full-time, and 79% of faculty have the terminal degree in their field.

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Murray State University Unique Programs

The Department of Wellness and Therapeutic Services advocates Recreation as a career. The Division of Recreation and Leisure Services supports students who wish to go into youth programming, commercial recreation, tourism, resort management, working with older or at-risk populations, or other possible career choices. The program offers a BA, MS, or a minor.

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Murray State University Financial Aid

In-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students were $3436 per academic year in 2003-2004. Students applying from out of state and graduate students will have different costs.

The office of financial aid at Murray State offers various kinds of grants for students who qualify. Pell Grants are available, as are Federal SEOG grants and Kentucky Higher Education Association grants. Murray State also participates in a number of federal loan programs, including Federal Stafford Loans. Special loans include those for Nursing Program students and emergency loans for small expenses. Student employment is also an option for students who need financial assistance.

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Murray State University Students

The Murray State University Library offers electronic catalogs and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site and inter-library loan. It is home to Murray State University’s participation in the American democracy project, run to the American Association of State colleges and universities. It is also part of the Kentucky virtual library system.

Student organizations at Murray State focus on departmental, social, recreational, religious, and other interests. There are also a number of Greek social organizations where students can meet new people and work on service to the local community. The eight residential colleges house over 3,000 students, and include two-student rooms with air conditioning.

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Murray State University Local Community

The town of Murray is located in Callaway County, which has a population of approximately 35,000. It is in Western Kentucky, not far north of the Tennessee border. Murray provides residents with numerous recreational, entertainment, shopping, and dining venues. Residents come to know one another by name and Murray very much as a small town feel.

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