From English student to English professor

Given that her decadeslong career impacted generations of MSU students, it made sense for Dr. Frances “Fran” Helphinstine (Class of 1963) to continue her impact on students studying English through the Frances L. Helphinstine Scholarship Endowment.

“Someone else was always looking out for me from the very beginning,” she said. “I’m just honored to be able to give back to Morehead State University because it has given so much to me.”

Helphenstine came to MSU as a student in 1959 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and English and later a Master of Arts in English. After graduating, she held teaching positions at high schools and eventually returned to MSU as an instructor of English. And there she remained. She taught undergraduate courses in Shakespeare, the English Renaissance, 17th Century British literature and drama, and graduate courses in Shakespeare, drama and bibliography. She also served as the graduate program coordinator. After more than five decades as a professor of English at MSU, Helphinstine retired in 2018, and was honored her dedication with the Founders Award for University Service.

Commitment to education

Gayle Sullivan (Class of 1970, 1976) always knew Morehead State was a special place to her – but it wasn’t until a visit to campus a few years ago that it really hit her just how much MSU truly meant to her and her journey. During that campus visit, she had the chance to visit her old room in Mignon Tower, and the study room at the top of the building overlooking campus, and the memories of it all came flooding back.

The inspiration stirred by that visit is what led her to do something to commemorate her love of MSU. A native of Louisville, Gayle earned degrees in education from MSU. A lifelong educator who taught in Louisville, Washington Court House, Ohio,

and then Bardstown, Kentucky, Gayle is also a passionate advocate for animal rescue. Her commitment to education, and giving back, led Gayle to establish the Gayle D. Sullivan Scholarship Endowment in 2020. Her fund supports a full-time undergraduate student at MSU, with preference given to a student majoring in music with an emphasis in keyboarding or music education.

Through the establishment of her scholarship, a visit to campus won’t be the only time Gayle gets to reflect on her time at MSU. With the awarding of her fund to a deserving student each year, Gayle’s love of MSU will be recognized year after year.