The Murray State News - Homecoming 2016 by The Murray State News

Homecoming 2016 A special publication of The Murray State News

See how the Racers roll out the welcome wagon for alumni, athletes and a host of students ready to show their Murray State pride!

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Homecoming

The News

October 27, 2016

The News

October 27, 2016

Homecoming

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Your Homecoming Schedule Thursday, Oct. 27 5 p.m. – Taste of the Arts Dinner and Auction, CFSB Center, $65 per person

Friday, Oct. 28 6 pm – 1986 Football Reunion, Roy Stewart Stadium 6 pm – Golden Anniversary Dinner, Curris Center Ballroom 6 pm – School of Nursing Alumni and Friends Homecoming Meet and Greet, Mason Hall Auditorium 6 pm – Hutson School of Agriculture Homecoming, Expo Center 8:30 pm – MSU Jazz Orchestra Swing Dance, Lovett Auditorium

Saturday, Oct. 29 8 am – COEHS Homecoming Breakfast, Murray Middle School 8 am – MClub Breakfast, Curris Center Ballroom 9 am – Pogue Open House, Pogue Library 9:30 am – Homecoming Parade 10 am – Baseball Alumni Game, Reagan Field 11 am – Tent City, Roy Stewart Stadium 2:45 pm – Homecoming King and Queen Coronation, Roy Stewart Stadium 3 pm – Racer Football v. Tennessee State, Roy Stewart Stadium 6:45 pm – Choral Reunion Dinner, Curris Center Ballroom 7:30 pm – NPHC Step Show, Lovett Auditorium

The News

Homecoming

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October 27, 2016

Letter from the Editor Each year as Homecoming rolls around, the student body gears up for a weekend of fun, whether it be seeing old fraternity brothers who have graduated or simply enjoying a weekend focused solely on Racer pride and the Murray State spirit. Students love it, Greek organizations love it, administration loves it, but most of all, alumni love it. Sometimes we forget that part, though, instead getting lost in the hustle and the bustle in preparation for thousands more people to flood into our tiny, old town to reminisce on the times they’ve shared as Racers. But think about it: we are living out the times we will one day be telling our friends about. Scared yet? These are the best days of our lives, you know. Or at least that’s what they tell us. Some will think of that as an omen and immediately panic (‘You’re saying my Netflix binges and sleeping

through all my 8 a.m. classes are as good as it gets!?’). I’ve got some advice for those people: don’t panic. Yeah, yeah, I hear you. It’s easy to say don’t panic while writing this. Yes, I understand how busy you are, and I truly understand the whole ‘drowning in your own anxiety’ thing. But at some point, you have to regard the phrase as a challenge rather than a fate you are doomed to. Make this year the best year you’ve had. Make this Homecoming one for the books. Make a point. Streak through the Quad, proclaiming your freedom to the world! Scratch that last part. It was a joke and in no way an endorsement of illegal behavior. Now that the lawyers are happy, we may continue. Alumni will be coming back and telling you how great Murray State is and how wonderful their time was. All I can say is don’t roll your eyes, don’t huff and puff and complain about how

you should’ve gone to a college with a better night scene where you can play pretend Project X. Murray State may not be huge, but it is as great as you want it to be and you really do get as much out of it as you want. Alumni come back because they decided not to tuck themselves away into their residential colleges and watch Netflix all day (for many Netflix wasn’t even a thing – imagine that). This weekend, when you aren’t at the parade or Tent City, do something that will make you want to come back and tell young Racers why you hold those memories close. Above all, listen to those folk coming back to regal you of a time long ago, before you could catch Pokémon on your phone or stream five seasons of the Walking Dead in a weekend. Connor Jaschen Editor-in-Chief

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The News

Homecoming

October 27, 2016

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Homecoming brings back memories for alumni Photo courtesy of Murray State Alumni Affairs Abby Siegel

News Editor asiegel@murraystate.edu

For Murray State alumni Mark and Micky Bates, Homecoming weekend brings back memories of falling in love, being involved in Greek life and eating in The Stables when it served dinner and entertainment. After graduating in 1981 their Murray State pride hasn’t worn off, making it rare not to see the Bates during

Homecoming weekend. “We just think it is the best college in the state of Kentucky,” Micky said. “It was great for us in the size, in the location...it has a lot to offer.” Landen Bates, their son and senior at Murray State, is currently studying abroad in Scotland. Despite this, Mark and Micky are still venturing to western Kentucky for Homecoming weekend. “We brainwashed Landen to going to Murray,” Micky said.

“I didn’t think we did that until I was getting ready for his high school graduation party and I was getting out pictures and almost every picture when he was little he was wearing a Murray State hat or a Murray State T-shirt.” Micky said her favorite part of Homecoming is reconnecting with people and sharing stories of their time at Murray State. “A lot of our friends’ kids are looking at colleges so they are coming

back,” Micky said. “It is fun to see people we went to college with and now their kids are at Murray.” Alpha Gamma Delta, Micky’s sisterhood, is having their 100th year celebration Friday. On Saturday, Micky, Mark and their high school aged son, Webb, will go to Tent City and the football game. Micky said she will be sure to visit Jeanie Morgan, coordinator for student activities, on her visit.

“Jeanie was like a mom to us,” Micky said. “We were always seeking her advice.” Before leaving Murray, Micky said they will stop by The Big Apple Café as part of their Murray weekend trip tradition. She said when they were in college, the restaurant was in Tennessee and required a short road trip to eat there. When she was in college she said nobody had cell phones and she had to type her papers in the student government

office because she didn’t own a laptop. “We didn’t even have cable, so we just hung out with people,” she said. “We made really great memories.” Some of Micky’s favorite college memories were living in with her roommate, playing pranks on her neighbors, participating in cafeteria food fights, hanging up SGA fliers, and seeing how many snacks she and her friends could get for $5 at Kroger.

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Homecoming

The News

October 27, 2016

Murray State Swings into H omecoming Emily Williams || Contributing writer ewilliams15@murraystate.edu

The Murray State jazz orchestra will be performing in Lovett Auditorium on Friday for Murray State’s Swingin’ Memories Homecoming Dance. All Murray State students are welcome and encouraged to come and take part in the tradition. Todd E. Hill, director of the jazz ensembles, said the jazz orchestra will primarily be playing swing music from the 1930s and ‘40s, with a few tunes from the 1920s up to the 1960s. “The dance will be held on the stage of Lovett Auditorium, much like they did back during the days of the touring big bands,” Hill said. “The stage gives us a large area for the band to set up, and still have tables and chairs, plus a

large dance floor.” Hill said there will be many different kinds of dances at the event such as swing dancing, foxtrots, two-steps, waltzes, cha-chas and rumbas. He said the public is invited to participate in the dancing and said swing dance lessons for students unfamiliar with social dancing will be given at 7:30 p.m. by Ashley and Pam Thurman of Paducah, Kentucky. “We’re paying special attention to our alums, but anyone can come,” Hill said. “There is not an official admission fee but we request a $5 donation for students and $10 for adults. Our CDs will also be for sale at the dance for $10 donations as well.” Hill said the jazz orchestra will play two sets joined by the Murray State jazz band, who will play a relief set in

the middle of the dance. “We did it as a one-time experiment last year, and everybody seemed to like it enough to warrant doing it again. It’s an old tradition that we have revived.” Hill said. “The musicians have fun playing for it too - and it gives them a real world, professional experience.” Kevin Kortz, freshman from Paducah, Kentucky, and member of the jazz orchestra said they have been working on the music for the dance since the beginning of the semester. “I think it’s extremely exciting, especially as a freshman, being in such a collegiate group,” Kortz said. “It kind of tells how big of a deal jazz orchestra is and how big of a deal this homecoming dance is. As a freshman, I’m super excited to learn and see the kind of

traditions that Murray State has.” Kortz said he thinks students might be hesitant at first but will come out and dance as the night progresses and people become more comfortable with it. “Bring all your friends, sit back and relax, don’t worry about your classes, and just enjoy the music as you support the music department,” Kortz said. Pamela Wurgler, chair of the music department, said the dance use to be a big tradition for Murray State’s homecoming a very long time ago. “I love that we are going back to resurrecting an old tradition of homecoming weekend having a dance that was a swing dance, basically,” Wurgler said. “So, it’s old music, old styles. I think that’s really fun for our students and our alumni.”

The News

October 27, 2016

Homecoming

Thank you again for voting us â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best of Murrayâ&#x20AC;? 9 years in a row!

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Homecoming

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Next up: Tennessee State Sarah Combs || Sports Editor scombs8@murraystate.edu

Murray State is coming off a victory against No. 15 Eastern Illinois, but the Racers are also vying for another important Saturday as it welcomes Tennessee State for Homecoming weekend. A win Saturday would give the Racers a fourth-straight Homecoming win with their last loss coming in 2012 in a 66-59 shootout against UT Martin. The Racers will take the field at 3 p.m. Saturday at Roy Stewart Stadium to take on the Tigers. Murray State is currently 2-5 overall and 2-2 in the OVC while the Tigers are 5-2 and 2-1 in the conference. The last meeting between the Racers and Tigers resulted in a 46-43

double overtime Racer win. The Racers jumped out early, leading the first quarter 14-13. The Tigers took over for the second and third quarter, outscoring 13-9 in the second and 24-7 in the third. The Racers held the Tigers scoreless in the fourth quarter with a 10-0. Senior quarterback KD Humphries threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns in the victory but was sacked eight times against the Tiger defense. Fellow senior, receiver Jesse Blackburn, was Humphriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; favorite target last season against Tennessee State as he had 10 catches for 162 yards to go along with two touchdowns. Blackburn is coming off of a 147yard performance against Eastern Illinois last weekend where he took a Humphries pass through multiple defenders en route to an 87-yard

The News

October 27, 2016

Chalice Keith/The News

touchdown reception to cut the Panther lead to 31-29 before Murray State was able to overtake the ranked team later in the fourth quarter. For the Tigers, wide receiver Patrick Smith was recently named adidas OVC Offensive Player of the Week following his seven reception and two touchdown performance in a 35-17 loss against Vanderbilt. The last time Smith earned the honor was against Murray State last year when he grabbed nine receptions for 248 yards and two touchdowns in Hale Stadium against the Racers. The Racers have some honors coming into Homecoming Week also. Senior kicker Connor Mitchell was named the adidas OVC Specialist of the Week and freshman running back Mareio McGraw earned the Adidas OVC Newcomer of the Week.

Mitchell had six field goals aiding in the Eastern Illinois upset, finishing with 20 points. McGraw had 139 yards on 15 carries with one touchdown against the Panthers. The freshman is currently averaging 8.5 yards per carry with 51 attempts on the year but only averaging 62.3 yards per game. Along with the Racers on the field, the university will be honoring the 1986 OVC Championship team coached by Frank Beamer. Members of the team including Beamer will be on-hand for the festivities. Beamer led the Racers to a 7-4-1 overall record in 1986 including 6-1 in the OVC. After leaving Murray State, Beamer was the head coach at Virginia Tech until last season when he retired and took an administrative role with the program.

The News

October 27, 2016

Homecoming

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Jenny Rohl/The News

TENT

CITY

For those not-sodie-hard Murray State football fans that are more interested in the social gatherings of Homecoming, Tent City is the place for gathering. Tent City is a tradition that has been held during Homecoming by Murray State since 1989. Inside the stadium, lawnchairs are pulled up front row to the football field. On the east side of the track circling the field, the fan takeover features dozens of university and Greek organizations that set up tents, grills and tables to hold the grub. Fans mingle and have fellowship prior to kickoff, beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing until 2:30 p.m., the aroma from the Tent City crowd can be smelled across campus. Highlighted personnel to be in attendance at Tent City will be recently retired from Virginia Tech and former ’81-86 Murray State head football coach, Frank Beamer along with Hall of Famer Michael “The General” Proctor. Proctor is one of the only two jerseys that have been retired for Murray State football.

Graphic courtesy of Sarah Combs/The News

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The News

Homecoming

October 27, 2016

2016 TENT CITY MAP 10 20 36 12 3

Murray State

14 18

15 24

28 11

26 16

2 8

Murray State

9 34 7 27 32 35

4 22

The News

October 27, 2016

Homecoming

Tent City Legend 1. Alpha Delta Pi 2. Alpha Gamma Delta 3. Alpha Gamma Epsilon /CEAO 4. Alpha Gamma Rho/HSOA 5. Alpha Omicron Pi 6. Alpha Phi Alpha 7. Alpha Sigma Alpha 8. Alpha Sigma Phi 9. Alpha Tau Omega 10. Athletics 11. Alumni Affairs & Murray Training 12. Christ Ambassadors (Chi Alpha) 13. College of Business 14. College of Education & Human Services 15. College of Education & Human Services 16. College of Humanities & Fine Arts 17. Council of the College Heads 18. Honors Program 19. International Student Organizations 20. Jones College of Set 21. Kappa Delta 22. Lambda Chi Alpha 23. Multicultural Affairs 24. Regents College 25. Phi Kappa Tau 26. Phi Mu Alpha 27. Pi Kappa Alpha 28. ROTC 29. School of Nursing & Health 30. Sigma Alpha 31. Sigma Chi 32. Sigma Phi Epsilon 33. Sigma Pi 34. Sigma Sigma Sigma 35. SGA 36. University Bookstore 37. Sigma Tau Gamma

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Homecoming Court 2016 Kings

Michael Mann Springfield, KY Robert Rosa Bloomington, IL Caleb Brannon Puryear, TN Cole Reichert Belleville, IL Austin Spicer Paducah, KY

Queens

Emily Mundt Prospect, KY Caitlin Dunaway Salem, IL Kelsey Bogard Murray, KY Amie Jones Hopkinsville, KY Jordan Maberry Paducah, KY

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Homecoming

The News

October 27, 2016

The News

Homecoming

October 27, 2016

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Parading pups hope to find homes Gisselle Hernandez

Features Editor

ghernandez1@murraystate.edu

The annual highly-anticipated Homecoming Parade wouldn’t be complete without the Humane Society’s adoptable dogs prancing among the loud bands and colorful floats as they make their way down Murray’s Court Square this weekend. The Humane Society has been walking their adoptable dogs in the parade since the ’80s, one of the events Kathy Hodge, executive director of the Humane Society of Murray-Calloway County, said is “strictly just for fun and to have a good time.” The Humane Society hosts a number of events in hopes of getting the pups adopted, though Hodge said the Homecoming Parade is one of their favorites. The adoptable dogs are all posted on PetFinder.com and Hodge said it helps tremendously since people can see which dogs they like

beforehand. “We post all our animals there, but nothing is quite the same as actually seeing the dog and being able to pet the dog after the parade,” she said. When walking the dogs in the parade, Hodge said people point out which one they like and give their contact information to the Humane Society so they can contact them later about a dog they’re interested in. The people then fill out an application to adopt the dog but the process doesn’t end there. Hodge said there are some precautions they must go through to make sure the dogs find a good home. Some of these include talking to the landlord to make sure he is OK with pets, calling the family’s veterinarian as a reference and they also look at financial stability. Hodge said it doesn’t matter if someone is a college student or 60 years old, if they haven’t had financial responsibility over a dog in the last three or four years, they must fill out a “home-

work sheet” with different questions about caring for the animal since it can cost more than some people expect. Adoption events have no set trend when hosted, Hodge said, with some events expected to be marginal winding up being big and events expected to attract people don’t have as much traffic. She said it also depended on the types of adoptable pups they had. If there are healthy cute puppies at one event, Hodge said they would get adopted much more quickly than adult dogs at another event. The Humane Society also sees some sort of calendar for when people adopt dogs. “Not as many people adopt dogs in January or February because they’re not interested in house training the dog in the snow so sometimes that can be the case,” she said. Hodge said the Humane Society is also responsible for the matchmaking between pets and owners. “It’s not a successful adoption if a dog is not the right one for the per-

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son or if the person is not the right one for the dog so matchmaking is really what we’re in the business of doing,” she said. This can prove to be difficult whenever someone meets a dog in person, Hodge said, because they get carried away by all the cuteness. “It’s so easy to get caught up in how absolutely precious they are and it can be an absolute precious six-week-old or ten-week-old puppy,” she said. “But it’s going to need all the things it’s going to need regardless of how cute it is at that moment.” Because of this, Hodge said they have to be cautious around Christmas time, when people want to gift dogs. “We have to be sure they don’t just want the big yellow puppy with the red bow in front of the Christmas tree picture and realize three months later ,‘Oh my God, this dog is chewing up everything in this house’ and it ends up back in the shelter,” she said. Read more at TheNews.org.

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Homecoming

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The News

October 27, 2016

Stepping with the Homecoming spirit

Brianna Willis|| Assistant Features Editor bwillis2@murraystate.edu

Homecoming is a huge part of campus life, a time for alumni to return “home” and celebrate their alma mater, while current students can learn from them and partake in festivities designed to engage them. For the NPHC organizations of campus, there is an added bonus of their biggest fundraiser for the year: Step Show. Tiana Watkins, senior from Warner Robin, Georgia, and chairwoman for the step show, said homecoming is a reconnecting of friends and family. “Homecoming to me means a reunion of family and friends to reminisce on the good times and catch up,” she said. Watkins, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., has been a member for a year and six months, performed in the show last year and is now chairing the event. She said the biggest thing she learned from last year’s show is to prioritize. “I make sure I get any homework, studying or quizzes done ahead of time or in a timely manner,” she said. “If not, by the time practice comes and when it gets closer to the Step Show things will not get done.” Tiara Bell, senior from Louisville, Kentucky, is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Bell said this will be her first step show as a member and is excited to participate in

the Homecoming weekend activities. She said step show, in particular, will be exciting and worth the ticket. “The most technical term I can think of is, ‘lit’”she said. “Fraternities and sororities of the Divine Nine [NPHC organizations] will be stepping, and it is around Halloween time, so there’s a hint there.”

Alpha Sigma Alpha Alpha Sigma Alpha Beta Nu is celebrating their 70th Homecoming at MSU

Tent City Location: South Gate Side Tent #7

Bell said the first time she attended a step show, she was amazed at the creativity the organizations had in their routines. For Watkins and Bell both said step show is a chance for Greek Unity to take center stage. Watkins said it was this unity, these relationships, that influenced part of her decision to join a Divine Nine organization in the first place. “You will gain lifelong friendships with your brothers or sisters, life lessons that will change you for the better and memories that will last forever,” Watkins said. However, some students like Bailey Morales, junior from Crofton, Kentucky, may have never heard of step show. Morales said she had never heard of the event but was eager to learn more. “I am definitely excited, but I don’t know what to expect, so I don’t know what to feel,” Morales said. “But a lot of people are excited, and that energy makes me even more excited to go.” Morales said that she may not know much, but she wants to learn more and is interested in what step show is and means. Advice for newbies to the stepping experience? “They should also come and experience something they may never seen before and become entertained by the unexpected,” Watkins said. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 the day of and at the door. The show starts at 7:30 p.m on Saturday.

The News

October 27, 2016

Homecoming

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Float building and the secret to Homecoming success

Lindsey Coleman

Staff writer

lcoleman7@murraystate.edu

The combined efforts of Sigma Pi and Alpha Sigma Alpha constructed the winning float of the 2015 Murray State Homecoming Parade. Jordan Maberry, senior from Alton, Illinois, and 2015 ASA Vice President of Alumnae Inheritage, and Aaron Rowland, alumnus and 2015 Sigma Pi Homecoming chairman, were responsible for the planning of their Homecoming float last year. Maberry said the three most important aspects of making a winning float are thinking creatively, incorporating the theme and showing pride for your organization.

Maberry said the brothers of Sigma Pi built the float, and the sisters of ASA added the pomp, a colorful tissue paper used for decoration, to the chicken wire on the float. “Apparently the most pomp wins, but the judge never said that...” Maberry said. Rowland said several Sigma Pi members with carpentry, construction, graphic design and visual arts expertise were integral in the process of building the float, but he said one of the most important things was having fun. “In terms of winning the contest, all it takes is a group effort and a little bit of elbow grease… and maybe several thousand sheets of pomp,” Rowland said.

Maberry said the process, which was first planned in April 2015, was a great way to build friendships with the Sigma Pi brothers, relieve stress and enjoy artsy activities. “Every member from both Sigma Pi and ASA had a role for the float that week,” Rowland said. “We even grilled out for a few of the days during float-building.” Rowland said the float competition is a great tradition at Murray State, and he said the experience of building and driving the float was so much fun. “The ladies of ASA were an absolute blast to work with, and Homecoming definitely helped create new bonds between our organizations,” Rowland said. “It is also a

great opportunity for the community to see all of the hard work our Greek organizations are performing.” Jeanie Morgan, adviser to the Student Government Association and student organizations, said this year, judges for the parade will be members of the MurrayCalloway County Hospital staff. Morgan said the parade of roughly 150 units, including Racer One, will begin at the corner of Main Street and Municipal Road and end at the gates of Murray State. “I like to say it’s a community event, and we organize it, but we encourage anyone who wants to be in the parade to be in the parade. We never turn anyone away,” Morgan said.

Morgan said the winner will be announced at the football game before halftime on Saturday. “I just think it’s one of the neatest traditions,” Morgan said. “You know, so many times, schools don’t have a tradition… The Homecoming Parade has been here since 1941, so that’s a good tradition!” Shawn Touney, director of communication, said this year, the Homecoming Parade will be streamed live at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. “For those who are unable to attend the parade this year, we are very excited to provide an opportunity to enjoy a special Racer Homecoming tradition,” Touney said. To view the parade, visit murraystate.edu/streaming.

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Homecoming

The News

October 27, 2016

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The News

October 27, 2016

Homecoming

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Preparations for Homecoming Alicia Steele

Assistant News Editor asteele5@murraystate.edu

The city of Murray is gearing up for Murray State’s annual Homecoming Parade and festivities. Roads will be closing for the Homecoming Parade and every hotel in the city is fully booked for the weekend. “It’s a pretty significant effort,” Mayor Jack Rose said.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Jeanie Morgan, coordinator for student activities, said the Student Government Association meets with the police departments and the street department to plan closing certain streets for the parade. She said the parade travels along Main Street from 4th Street to Industrial Road. She said that section will close at 7 a.m. the day of the parade and will re-open as the last unit of the parade passes that area.

“They start opening the streets behind it,” Morgan said. Morgan said this year, the Homecoming Parade will be also be live streamed. “Many years ago the cable company and Murray Electric would air it live, but they discontinued that several years ago,” Morgan said. “And then Shawn Touney had been working on maybe getting it live streamed again and they’re going to this year.”

MURRAY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Sgt. Brant Shutt of the Murray Police Department said to prepare for Homecoming his department will make sure they have a full staff on hand and they plan alternate routes around town in case of an emergency situation because they know certain areas get congested with traffic. He said areas that are usually congested because of Homecoming include 16th Street and state Route 121.

Shutt said the road construction in Murray will add to the congestion, but he hopes everyone will be aware of it and use caution while driving. However, he said they treat the weekend no differently than any other weekend in Murray as far as patrol. Shutt said the Murray Police Department does assist Murray State with the Homecoming Parade including closing most of Main Street along the parade route. “Other than that, guys like me are just prepared to enjoy some of the Homecoming festivities being a former Racer,” Shutt said.

MURRAY CONVENTION AND VISITOR’S BUREAU

Erin Carrico, executive director of the Murray Convention and Visitor’s Bureau said Murray Main Street puts up banners every year on the light poles downtown for Homecoming. “While we’re not necessarily directly linked in the planning of

Homecoming, Homecoming is such a big part of the community that we are indirectly involved,” Carrico said. She said her office makes sure all hotels in Murray have updated maps and updated visitor’s guides. “All of our hotels are sold out for that weekend,” Carrico said. “340 plus hotel rooms.” She said in the nine years she’s worked at the Visitor’s Center she’s never noticed prices rising. “We’re fortunate,” Carrico said. “I know that can happen in some bigger cities, but that’s not something that we usually encounter.” Rose said as far as he knows he’s never seen gas prices rise because of Homecoming, but he can see the economic boost resulting from visitors eating at restaurants, buying gas and staying at local hotels. “Murray State is very influential, I think, in bringing guests to Murray,” Rose said. “And I think Homecoming will be one of those times.”

Jenny Rohl/The News

The News

Homecoming

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October 27, 2016

New Alumni Director seeks to unite Racers Lindsey Coleman

Staff writer

lcoleman7@murraystate.edu

Murray State named Carrie McGinnis as the new director of Alumni Relations, and she began her position on Oct. 17. “I saw this as a great step in not only my career, but also just an opportunity for me to be a part of a family that’s full of pride and tradition. I was excited about that,” McGinnis said. Shawn Touney, director of communication, said the director of Alumni Relations position had been vacant for several months, and after the search process, McGinnis was a successful candidate. Despite a rigorous application process, which

included several rounds of interviews, McGinnis said she knew Murray State was where she wanted to be. “I love it. I couldn’t be more thrilled,” McGinnis said. “Everybody has been so warm and welcoming and beyond helpful and supportive. You can tell why there’s so much pride here because everybody that I’ve come in contact with has been just a peach.” McGinnis said her three years of experience as the Continuing Education and Community Services Coordinator at Hopkinsville Community College will be an asset. “In my time at Hopkinsville Community College, I was able to develop relationships that led to new programs that

led to new opportuni- Murray State, and two of their children are graduties, new equipment for ates of the university. the college, and I think that’s something that my “We’ve got a family full of Racers,” McGinnis said. colleagues here at Murray State saw as something With Homecoming that I bring being this to the table,” weekend, McGinnis McGinnis said. said she couldn’t have McGinnis started at a earned a b a c h e l o r ’ s - Carrie McGinnis, director of better time. Alumni Relations She said she is degree in going to enjoy broadcast the opportunity to meet journalism from Northern new friends, see new faces Illinois University, worked and establish relationships with WKDZ radio and is now earning her master’s for the university. degree in organizational “We are so involved communication at Murray with all the activities State. throughout the weekend,” McGinnis and her hus- McGinnis said. “I’m excitband have long-standing ed to observe, learn, get my hands dirty, jump in roots in the region. She and be a part of that.” said her husband earned his master’s degree from McGinnis said she

“

We’ve got a family full of Racers

”

hopes many alumni come back and celebrate Homecoming this weekend and take part in the many events on Friday and Saturday. “Another one of my goals is to make this Alumni Center serves as the front porch of the university. We want this to be a place where our Racer alumni would like to come back and enjoy and reminisce, and we want people to know that the doors are always open.” McGinnis said going forward, she wants to boost excitement about programs and scholarships on campus. “I’m really looking forward to working with our alumni to engage throughout the country, and not just throughout the coun-

try, but throughout the world, so that we can develop that Racer pride,” McGinnis said. She said she will reach out to the more than 70,000 alumni electronically and by mail, with the goal of establishing excitement about Murray State, which could include Racer alumni watch parties during basketball season. “The Alumni Association’s mission is to celebrate and engage our Racer Nation throughout the country,” McGinnis said. “In doing that, that’ll help us to maintain the relationships that we need in an effort to afford opportunities for Racers who are here currently, who have been here in the past and who will be here in the future.”