Photo by Jenny Rohl/The News
Homecoming 2017 A special publication of The Murray State News Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor for 6 years
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Homecoming
Page 2
The News
October 26, 2017
Letter from the Editor Welcome back, Murray State alumni. Let your blue and gold flags fly, put your shoes up, and try not to drink too much at Tent City. This is my last Homecoming and – between the impending job search and senioritis that has taken over my life – I’m catching glimpses of the nostalgia to come. I’ve been looking back to my freshman year, when I was still starry eyed at my first Homecoming parade. Now I’m realizing just how much has changed, despite how little time seems to have passed. Freshman to senior year is a transformation of a lifetime, one where your friend group finds its first major upheaval and you start prioritizing your life a bit more. The weight of the real world finally comes knocking at the door
with a cup full of coffee and a bill for all those loans you racked up. Some things never change, though. Every year, little old Murray has a few things to count on: a few more soles added onto the Shoe Tree, the semi-talented Murray community belting out on stage for All Campus Sing, and yes, Homecoming. These are the things that really connect Murray State students with those who came here 30 or 40 years beforehand. Murray State has an important legacy, not just for the community, but for everyone who rolled up with a shopping cart for freshman day move in, whether that was when the Residential Colleges first opened up or this year, when one of them was undergoing some major ‘renovations’ (read: Richmond explo-
sion). Murray State is what connects us and Homecoming is what physically brings us together, a testament to the legacy of this institution. The Murray State News is celebrating its own legacy status now. This year marks the 90th year for us: that’s 90 years of excellent student reporting, of resume and portfolio building, and most importantly, making lifelong friends, all within the confines of the four walls of our office. For those who have worked with us in the past, take the time to visit our tent at Homecoming. For those who never worked for us, take a hard look back at your place in college. The organizations and people we surround ourselves with define our college experience much clearer than any major/minor combo you can
think of. For this Homecoming, expect to look back and aspire to give back, whether you are a student, faculty, alumni, or just a supporting community member. We are a small school. We embrace that. But the impact we make spreads much further than Western Kentucky, or even the region. We are Racers, and that means having a home everywhere you can find a fellow Racer – and that’s what makes us the best school in the state. And with that, there is only one more thing to say: Go Racers!
Connor Jaschen Editor-in-Chief
The News
Homecoming
October 26, 2017
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Homecoming Schedule FRIDAY, OCT. 27 11:30 A.M.
• Hutson School of Agriculture: Dean’s
Circle Luncheon
2 P.M.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Reunion Registration
3 P.M.
• Dedication ceremony and open house
for the new Engineering and Physics Building MSU Institute of Engineering on the Gene Wells Ray Science Campus
3:30 P.M.
• Pogue Open House – Pogue will
be open for tours and viewing of collections.
4 P.M.
• Homecoming 2017: Homecoming Run
5 - 6:30 P.M.
• Applied Health Sciences Alumni Meet
and Greet – Big Apple Cafe
5 - 8 P.M.
• Honors Happy Hour – Tap 216
SATURDAY, OCT. 28 6 - 8 P.M.
• Easley Alumni Center – African
American Alumni social and networking event
6 - 9 P.M.
• Hutson School of Agriculture
Homecoming
6:30 P.M.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Reunion 45th
Anniversary Banquet – Tap 216
7 P.M.
• Miss Black and Gold Scholarship
Pageant – Johnson Theater • African American alumni from the late ‘70s and early ‘80s will host a Homecoming meet and greet welcome dinner. Open to all alumni. – Best Western, call 571.338.7019 for more information
8:30 P.M.
• MSU Jazz Orchestra Swing Dance
10 P.M.
• 2002 Football Reunion – Stewart
Stadium • School of Nursing Alumni and Friends Homecoming Reception
• Homecoming 2017: COEHS
Breakfast
8 A.M.
• MClub Breakfast
9:30 - 11:00 A.M.
• Homecoming Parade
9 A.M. - NOON
• Journalism and Mass
Communications celebrating 90th Anniversary of The Murray State News – Wilson Hall, Newsroom
10 A.M.
• Baseball Alumni Game (Batting
Practice)
11 A.M. - 2:30 P.M. • Tent City
2 P.M.
• SGA at Tent City and Homecoming
Photo
• Old School Jam – Murray Banquet
Center, 926 South 12th Street.
6 P.M.
8 - 9:30 A.M.
2:45 - 3 P.M.
• Coronation Homecoming King and
Queen
3 P.M.
• Football vs. Eastern Kentucky
7:30 - 10 P.M.
• NPHC Homecoming Step Show
Homecoming
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The News
October 26, 2017
Football honors past champions Bryan Edwards
Sports Editor
bedwards16@murraystate.edu
Homecoming is in the air at Roy Stewart Stadium as the Murray State football team prepares for in-state rival, Eastern Kentucky. Head coach Mitch Stewart calls the matchup with EKU the “State Championship” and after the Racers win last season, he said EKU will bring it. “Last year was a horseshoe game for us (a win of significance),” Stewart said. “They’ll be ready to play.” The teams on the field won’t be the only ones on the field, as the 2002 Racer football team will be honored at homecoming.
The 2002 squad was the last Murray State team to win an OVC Championship, when then kicker Shane Andrus hit a 52-yard field goal to defeat former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and the Eastern Illinois Panthers 37-35. Although it will be an opportunity to meet with one of the best Murray State teams of the century, the current Racers are focused on their task at hand with EKU. Stewart said the Colonels will bring some interesting packages to Murray following last week’s contest against the University of Tennessee at Martin. “Very good football team coming off a big win at their place against another very good foot-
ball team in UT Martin,” Stewart said. “Some instances in special teams that scare you a little bit.” The Colonels will likely see a healthy Murray State squad this week, as the Racers enter homecoming after getting to their bye week in the season. Stewart said following the game against Eastern Illinois two weeks ago the injury report was long but said all players should be good to go come Saturday. “So far so good,” Stewart said. “We practiced last night and there was only one or two dudes that were still in boots and braces and all that. Right now, I don’t foresee anybody being out.” Senior linebacker Lamont Crittendon said
the bye week helped the team get better from a fundamental standpoint. “Not really get into our opponent this week,” Crittendon said. “Just work on our fundamentals and work on what we do as Murray State.” Sometimes the week off gives you opportunities to participate in activities outside of football. For Crittendon, he was able to travel home to Alabama. “I went back to Alabama and spent time with the family,” Crittendon said. “Watched a little bit of football, watched my high school play and ate a lot of barbecue.” The Racers and Colonels will kickoff their homecoming faceoff at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 inside Roy Stewart Stadium.
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11 A.M. - 10 P.M.
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Bryan Edwards/The News
Senior defensive back D’Montre Wade runs after intercepting an Eastern Illinois pass.
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October 26, 2017
Homecoming
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(2 7 4 9)
Doran Cabz & Couriers
Jenny Rohl/The News
Alpha Phi Alpha steps at the 2016 NPHC Step Show.
Stepping into hoco Blake Sandlin
Sports Assistant Editor bsandlin1@murraystate.edu
One of Murray’s Top Three Taxis since 2001!
Hands clapping. Feet stomping. Canes swinging. These are the sights and sounds that’ve made the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Homecoming Step Show. The step show, which is being held on Saturday, Oct. 28 in Lovett Auditorium, has seemingly been a staple at the university since NPHC fraternities and sororities were chartered around the mid-90s. While many view the NPHC Homecoming Step Show as an opportunity for current students to showcase their Greek pride in front of hundreds of alumni sharing in the homecoming festivities, S.G. Carthell, the senior director of diversity initiatives at Murray State, said the event serves an even greater significance. “Music and dance are universal across the world, but particularly for African Americans, when they were brought over to this country, a lot of things were stripped from them,” Carthell said. “But dance and music were some of the things they were able to hold onto and to incorporate into the culture they were being assimilated into.” Many NPHC fraternities and sororities hosted “Greek Sings” in the early 1900s. Those ceremonies, which originally consisted of singing and cheers, later evolved into calculated movements and dances performed by the Greek organizations in what came to be called “Greek Shows”. Shortly after receiving a charter from
NPHC in the late 1990s, Mike Young, who now is the associate vice president of student affairs, came up with the idea to hold a step show to fundraise for NPHC chapters at the university. The NPHC fraternities and sororities put on the event for the predominantly white Greek organizations in Racer Arena as a way to raise money. “It was something that we could do to raise money,” Young said. “It was something that would be entertaining, bring other groups to campus and it was something Greeks wanted to do.” Fast forward to today, and Young’s fundraising idea has evolved into a spectacle. Young said what’s most meaningful, though, is seeing how stepping has caught on with predominantly white Greek organizations, who compete yearly in the Alpha Step Off, sponsored by NPHC’s Alpha Phi Alpha. “It’s neat to see how it’s evolved in several different ways,” Young said. “Now predominately white organizations are stepping, which wasn’t the case in the 90s; so that’s cool.” This year’s step show is movie themed, and will not only feature themed performances from Greeks, but also will play host to performances by a drum line, the Radiant Racerettes Majorette Dance Team and a guest emcee serving as the master of ceremonies. And when those alumni fill the seats of Lovett Auditorium this weekend to honor a timeless Murray State tradition, they can rest assured that the same clapping, dancing and cane swinging that occupied their homecomings as students will be commonplace for many homecomings to come.
The News
Homecoming
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October 26, 2017
2017 Homecoming Court Nick Erickson || Assistant Features Editor nerickson@murraystate.edu
Christian Barnes
A student-office coordinator, Barnes is a senior from Nortonville, Kentucky. Pursuing student affairs, Barnes is not only an organization communication major but an Undergraduate Grand Councilor for the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity.
Murray State University’s 2017 Homecoming is approaching, taking place Oct. 26-28. As usual, a plethora of festivities will occur including class reunions, the homecoming parade and Tent City. Arguably the most iconic event of all, a football game will mark the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen. Here is a rundown of each contes-
Caleb Coomes
Cook is a junior animal and equine science major nominated by the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Co-captain of the Racer Girls Murray State University Dance Team, Cook is additionally a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.
Emma Cook
Undoubtedly with a knack for science, Coomes is a junior from Owensboro with a double-major in biology and pre-medical. Nominated by the SpringerFranklin Residential College, Coomes is also a member of the Murray State Honors College and chapter president of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
Cook is both a senior logistics major and chapter president of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. Additionally, she is a member of the Murray State Honors College and has served as a senator in the Student Government Association.
Jacob Schutte
Emily Mitchell
Nominated by the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, Schutte is a senior exercise science major from Newburgh, Indiana. Schutte not only is an active member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity but also currently serves as vice president of brotherhood and campus involvement.
Nominated by the Order of the Omega, Mitchell is a senior middle school education major from Henderson, Kentucky. Mitchell is a devoted member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and the Student Government Association.
Craig Lamb
Carlie Blain
Lamb is senior political science major from Murray, Kentucky. Juggling school and his fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha, Lamb serves as a law clerk at WCA Law.
Like Coomes, Blain also delves into science. A senior biology major, Blain is also a teaching assistant for the Department of Biology, working as a tutor and teaching assistant.
Drue Hodges
Hodges is a junior agriscience and agricultural systems technology major from Greensburg, Kentucky. Nominated by the Murray State Collegiate FFA, Hodges is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and a brother of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Emily Cook
Kaylee Capps Photo courtesy of Murray State Center for Student Involvement
The 2017 Homecoming court.
Capps is a senior business management and human resources major. Both nominated by and an active member of Alpha Omicron Pi, Capps is also involved in the Society for Human Resource Management and the Pre-Law Association.
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The News
October 26, 2017
Homecoming
Page 7 Welcome #RacerAlumni!
Join us today! murraystate.edu/alumni facebook.com/raceralumni twitter.com/raceralumni @RacerAlumni instagram.com/raceralumni @raceralumni
100 Easley Alumni Center | Murray, KY 42071 270.809.5600 | Toll Free: 800.758.8510 Equal education and employment opportunities M/F/D, AA employer. Murray State University supports a clean and healthy campus. Please refrain from personal tobacco use.
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The News
Homecoming
Page 8
October 26, 2017
Fight for the Black and Gold
Emily Williams || Features Editor
ewilliams15@murraystate.edu
Pageant contestants such as Imani Oliver and Jada Boyer are gearing up for this year’s annual Miss Black and Gold pageant, an event sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to provide a scholarship to one lucky lady within the contestant pool. Imani Oliver, senior from St. Louis and contestant in this year’s Miss Black and Gold pageant, said the event is a way of showcasing the intelligence, talent, excellence and beauty of the young women participating. She said it is one of the longest-running programs held at Murray State and is held by every chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha across the country. The pageant is Alpha Phi Alpha’s annual philanthropy for March of Dimes, which is a United States non-profit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and
babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. According to Edwin Crumble, the fraternity’s president, this is their 35th year of sponsoring the event. Their role is to help the contestants with anything and everything leading up to the event. “We make sure the ladies are comfortable around us so they get out of their comfort zone and they can be comfortable on the stage as well,” Crumble said. “We also make sure the ladies are prepared for their performance once they hit the stage.” Crumble said he thinks the pageant is a great opportunity to get the ladies involved on campus, to showcase their talents and to just get their name out there as well. “Winning this pageant here in Murray will also let the winner compete at a higher level such as our District Convention,” Crumble said. “The lady who wins [the District Convention] will be representing
Kentucky for our regional convention and will be catered to by every member of Alpha Phi Alpha in Kentucky.” Oliver said the winner of the pageant receives a monetary scholarship in an effort to assist the advancement of education and becomes a sweetheart of the Zeta Omicron chapter. “To be honest, I am both excited and nervous to do my talent,” Oliver said. “I love performing but sometimes my nerves get the best of me. Oliver said during the pageant, they have to do a projection, swimwear walk, talent and a formal wear. She said they practice throughout the week on their speeches, walks and talents to make sure they are perfected for the show. “I’ve had so much fun working with and getting to know the other contestants,” Oliver said. “Making new friends and building bonds with people is always a plus.” Oliver said the pageant is important to her because it’s helping her
build the confidence to put herself out there and show the skills she has. Jada Boyer, freshman from Springfield, Illinois and contestant in this year’s pageant, said she is most excited to do her talent for the event. “It is an original poem about my mother,” Boyer said. “I am most nervous about the opening number because we will be dancing and all eyes will be on us and I want to execute the moves correctly.” She said the pageant has allowed her to make a lot of new friends. “This pageant is important to me because it’s good way to get involved on campus,” Boyer said. “It allows me to get out of my comfort zone and is a good way to build a connection with other contestants. If I am able to win, I would like to compete at the higher level and represent Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.” The Miss Black and Gold pageant will take place this Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in Johnson Theatre.
FRIDAY, OCT. 27TH
Salsa N’ Chips 4 Scholarships T-SHIRT SALE TO RAISE MONEY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR A SENIOR FROM MURRAY HS AND A SENIOR FROM CALLOWAY CO. HS WHO ARE ATTENDING MSU. Don Sol will also be donating a percentage of the sales towards scholarships.
ANNIVERSARY
First 5 people at 11am eat lunch for FREE!
A drawing for a customer to win a free lunch once a week for an entire year will also take place!
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The News
October 26, 2017
Homecoming
Murray State University Advertising Graphic Communications Media
Journalism Public Relations Television Production
Page 9
Department of Journalism and Mass Communications
Organizations:
Ads Club HER on Campus Kappa Tau Alpha MSU TV 11 Public Relations Student Society of America The Murray State News
Your Media Career Starts Here! Dr. Debbie Owens, Interim Chair Department of Journalism and Mass Communications 114 Wilson Hall Murray State University Murray, KY 42071 Phone: 270-809-2387
Email: msu.jmc@murraystate.edu
Homecoming
Page 10
The News
October 26, 2017
90 years of excellence Tyler Anderson Opinion Editor
janderson49@murraystate.edu
The first issue of The Murray State News was published on June 24, 1927. On that day, a 90 year tradition was born, and The Murray State News continues to be the go-to source of information for both the campus and the Murray community. Among the many changes which have transformed the student-run organization into what it is today, the shift in name may be the most striking. Due to Murray State University’s reclassification from college to university in 1966, The College News would become The Murray State News on Sept. 28, 1966. Though a unique marker in the history of the organization, it didn’t divert the staff from their mission to report on the breaking news and happenings which mattered most to students, staff and faculty Since the 60th anniversary of The News in 1987, the aspirations of the newspaper are much the same, but the goingson behind the scenes quickly pushed it to the forefront of Kentucky’s student publications. Ann Landini of Murray, Kentucky, a former advisor for The News from 1985-1995, witnessed the technological evolution of the newspaper firsthand. “Within a few years, we began purchasing Macintosh computers, and we were the first university newspaper in Kentucky to go all Mac for our news-
room,” Landini said. “A number of our students were quickly snatched up by employers because this was the beginning of the Macintosh revolution in newsrooms everywhere.” Another long-serving staff member, Orville Herndon of Murray, Kentucky, played an integral part in bringing The News online, and still serves in that capacity. “There has been an understanding that making sure the news got out was my top responsibility,” Herndon said. Along with a student worker, Herndon was responsible for updating the newspaper’s now-defunct initial website after its launch in 1995. “Someone said at the time that The Murray State News was possibly the first student paper in the nation to have a website independent from the parent university,” Herndon said. He owns the current domain name utilized by the newspaper, TheNews. org, which went online Jan. 26, 1996. And as important a role as technology has played in bringing the award-winning newspaper to the public, the students behind the reporting are the most valuable resource The News has. Former Photography Editor Ryan Brooks of Murray, Kentucky, who served from 1998-2003, knows that his time with The News granted him opportunities he may not have found elsewhere. “There’s no other way to experience all Murray State has to offer but through The News,”
Brooks said. “I shot rifle with an Olympic gold medalist… I’ve been in the room as presidents have stepped down, and as new ones have been selected. So many stories and experiences.” The unique connections he forged while at Murray State led him to Murray Chi Alpha, where he now serves as lead missionary, and continues to contribute to the campus community. Shannon Stafford, a former ad sales manager from Paducah, Kentucky, echoed Brooks’ sentiment. “I transferred from Tulane University after my third year of school, so joining The News gave me a way to become more involved with the school… I am learning still everyday how to manage a team and be a leader, but The News gave me the foundation that I needed,” Stafford said. And though students have come and gone, the relationships forged along the way made for some late, and exciting, nights in the newsroom. “You had to do all of your work in the newsroom [then]. There was no such thing as working remotely,” Landini said about her days as advisor. “I would get back at eight or nine on Thursday morning and find students asleep in the newsroom.” The work weeks weren’t all work and no play, as students made time to enjoy each other’s company. “We would have big parties for Christmas right before finals… and we ate a lot. It was good camaraderie,” Landini said.
“Serving you f or 30 years”
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The News
Homecoming
October 26, 2017
Page 11
WELCOME TRI SIGMA ALUMNAE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28
Casual Welcome Reception
Curris Center Dance Lounge - 2nd floor 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Walk or Ride in the Parade Message Donna Herndon on Facebook for more info. Wear your favorite Sigma shirt!
Tent City
Tri Sigma Tent at the MSU Football Stadium 11:00am - 3:00pm game time
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The News
Homecoming
Page 12
October 26, 2017
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