Lifetime educators

For Drs. Kent and Kay Freeland, their commitment to education has been the focus of their lives. Kent is a professor emeritus of education at MSU and Kay is a retired superintendent of Rowan County Schools.

To show their dedication to education, they have established the Freeland Education Scholarship. It will provide an award to a student majoring in elementary and middle grades education, with preference to graduates of Rowan County Senior High School and contiguous counties

The Freelands have demonstrated their passion and support for MSU by creating this scholarship, showing their appreciation for the region they both served.

“The Freeland Educational Scholarship has allowed me to pursue my goals towards becoming an elementary teacher. This scholarship helps take some of the weight off my shoulders. Scholarships like these help aspiring teachers go to school hopefully debt free. Teachers are needed everywhere, and I am so thankful this scholarship helps me become one.”

Scholarship provides opportunities for future business leaders

Elizabeth (Beth) Blackburn Fraley (Class of 2003) met her future husband, Brandon Fraley (Class of 2000), while attending MSU. An active student and member of Chi Omega, Beth graduated from MSU with her bachelor’s in business administration in 2003. Brandon completed his MSU education a few years prior, also receiving a BBA.

Following college, Beth and Brandon were married and welcomed three children – two sons and a daughter. While a young mother, Beth was diagnosed with cancer. After a hard fought battle, Beth passed in 2018 at the age of 37.

To honor Beth’s memory, and recognize the place where their relationship began, Brandon established the Elizabeth Blackburn Fraley Endowment at Morehead State. The scholarship supports Elmer R. Smith College of Business & Technology students in her honor. Recipients must be a sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student and have a minimum 3.25 GPA.

Following her passing, many family and friends made contributions to the scholarship, and Brandon has continued to grow the scholarship to the $25,000 endowment level. Though her life was cut short, Beth’s memory is carried forward in the lives of the MSU students who receive this award in her name.

Preserving a passion for education and art

While traveling to MSU’s Morehead campus for a night class towards her bachelor’s degree in art in 2013, Charli Jade Wright Gilliam was tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 26. To memorialize her commitment to higher education, Charli’s family graciously established the Charli Jade Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship is awarded each year to a student who is a graduate of Charli’s alma mater, Elliott County High School, with preference given to students pursuing a degree in art.

Charli’s husband, parents, sister and children hope this scholarship will keep her memory alive by helping students with her interests further their education with a decreased financial burden.

Pikeville Proud

Darren Branham (Class of 1995, 2000), a certified public accountant and financial controller with Yum! Brands, is a native of Pike County, Kentucky, and a proud alumnus of Shelby Valley High School. He advocates for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) community and founded the Louisville Gay Men’s Chorus.

Recognizing the lack of opportunities for LGBTQIA+ students in his hometown, he established the Darren Branham Pride Scholarship. This scholarship provides a $1,200 annual award to an LGBTQIA+ student from Pike County, with preference given to his alma mater.

Darren hopes to provide future Pike County Eagles the same opportunities he had to achieve their dreams. He is paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse future in his hometown.

Banking on the future

Founded in 1928 in Morehead, Kentucky, The Citizens Bank has been an integral part of the Morehead community and has consistently made it a priority to support MSU through philanthropic efforts and a long-standing corporate partnership.

To further cement their commitment and support of MSU, The Citizens Bank Scholarship Endowment was established with a generous gift of $50,000.

No matter where you come from, everyone deserves a chance to receive a college education.

- RYAN NEFF, CITIZEN’S BANK VICE PRES.

The scholarship is available to firstyear students pursuing a degree in business management with preference to those majoring in finance or marketing.

Preference will also be given to incoming first-year students from Bath, Morgan or Rowan counties to assist local students in pursuing their degrees.