A Special Publication of The Murray State News
Blake Sandlin and Colton Colglazier/The News
Homecoming
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October 25, 2018
Letter from the Editor Welcome back, Murray State alumni. I’m happy to see your friendly faces around campus again. Homecoming marks a time to return to campus and reminisce with your friends and fellow classmates on the ‘good ole days.’ It marks a weekend to celebrate Racer traditions. Being from Alabama, football is a long-rooted tradition. The fall season is meant for football and you spend Saturday afternoons at the field or in front of the TV cheering your team on to a win. As you already know, Murray is a supportive town: a place in rural America where business owners paint their shop windows with colors of blue and gold. Everyone spends their weekends under the Friday night lights at Roy Stewart Stadium. It takes a community to create this spirit, and it comes even more alive during Homecoming Weekend festivities: the parade of floats through town, Tent City and of course the big football game where there’s not a seat to be found. This year, Murray State football is on
fire, as the No. 1 team in the Ohio Valley Conference. With just one more win, this could be the Racers’ greatest start to the season since 1996. Alumni, be ready to throw up your shoes and lose your voice chanting, “Go Racers!” And, that is what I love about Murray State. It is that Racer Pride that drew me to the campus. Every person who comes through this University fosters a love, pride and enthusiasm for their alma mater. That is special. It shows Murray State isn’t just a University, but it is a forever home that always warmly welcomes you back. As my time at Murray State is quickly coming to a close, I am reflecting on my time here. I have spent my Homecoming weeks, alongside my sorority sisters, pomping chicken wire and creating a float to proudly walk next to in the Homecoming Parade, while brightly passing out candy to children. At Tent City, I have been given the opportunity to meet those who came before me, who have influenced and shaped Murray State and have left big shoes for me to fill as a student.
In May, I will officially become a Murray State alumna. I will be in the place of the alumni coming back to Murray State to see who has filled my role and continued the legacy of the University that I love. Everywhere there is a Racer, there is a home. Homecoming is the most wonderful time of the year here in Murray. Let’s get ready to throw our shoes up, deck out the town in blue and gold and cheer our football team on to another win! With that, Go Racers!
Ashley Traylor
Editor-in-Chief
Homecoming
October 25, 2018
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Homecoming Game Racers to take on Gamecocks of Jacksonville State Keith Jaco Staff writer
rjaco@murraystate.edu
The Murray State Racers football team sits alone atop the OVC after its dominant performance over Eastern Kentucky University last Saturday, Oct. 20. The Racers will welcome Jacksonville State University for their homecoming game this Saturday, Oct. 27. JSU is coming off of its first OVC loss since 2013. Head Coach Mitch Stewart put an emphasis on his team understanding the work ahead of them. “My main concern this week is our mindset,” Stewart said. “We’ve got to make sure our team understands what got them to this point, because right now they’re hearing a lot of ‘4-0 talk’ and ‘number one in the conference’ and all of that stuff. We’ve got to tell them to keep their eyes focused on the work at hand because this has to be a tremendous week of practice for us.”
Murray State has put together quite the performances over the last four weeks, as they’ve managed to get back above .500 winning percentage and are currently 4-0 in conference. The defense continued to be a bright spot for the Racers against EKU, as a pair of interceptions and three sacks from senior defensive end Kenney Wooten held the Colonels to just six points on the afternoon. The Racers defense will be tasked with stopping a JSU offense that outscored their opponents 292-81 in its five-game winning streak prior to last week’s loss at Southeast Missouri State University. Senior cornerback Marquez Sanford knows the importance of the defense firing on all cylinders this Saturday. “We know they’re talented, but we feel like we have some players on defense that can compete with anybody in the country,” Sanford said. “This is a ‘do your job’ type
Sophomore wide reciever, DeQuan Dallas leaps for the ball toward the end zone.
of game so I think that’s going to be the biggest thing for us, doing our job.” While the defense knows the task at hand, the Racers offense will look to continue its hot streak with senior quarterback Drew Anderson settling in under center. Anderson has thrown for 762 yards on 74-117 passing attempts with eight touchdowns in his last three games. Sophomore running back D.J. Penick will be back in action for the Racers this week, after being sidelined a week ago with a concussion. Jacksonville State is coming off a disappointing loss to SEMO last Saturday, ending its 36-game OVC winning streak. The Gamecocks will look to regroup and keep their OVC championship chances alive with a win over the Racers on Saturday afternoon. Murray State will host Jacksonville State at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27 at Roy Stewart Stadium.
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Homecoming
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October 25, 2018
2018 Grand Marshals
Melvin and Rita Henley recognized for their contributions to the Murray State community Destinee Marking Senior writer
dmarking@murraystate.edu
Murray State alumni Rita and Melvin Henley will be Grand Marshals at the 2018 Homecoming Parade. Director of Alumni Relations Carrie McGinnis said Homecoming is a time to celebrate the very best of Murray State. “It is a time to celebrate the very best that Murray State has to offer; all we are, all we’ve been and all we hope to be,” McGinnis said. “Dr. Melvin and Rita Henley have been consummate supporters of their alma mater with their time, talents and treasures from the time they attended school here, throughout their careers, through their political involvement and in their personal lives.” McGinnis said Homecoming was a wonderful opportunity to thank them. “They are beloved members of the Murray community and the Murray State community,” McGinnis said. “Homecoming provides us with a wonderful opportunity to say thank you for their ongoing commitment to our institution and our students.” Rita graduated in 1978
with a geology degree, while Melvin earned his degrees in physics, chemistry and math in 1961. Looking back on their time at Murray State and in the city of Murray, Rita said they have great memories. “I loved those years there,” Rita said. “We both have such strong ties to Murray State. The town itself is such a community-oriented, university town… There’s always something going on.” Both agreed some of their fondest memories are from Homecoming. Rita said she always enjoyed the float-building process, while Melvin said some of his favorite Homecoming experiences were during his high school years. “We got a free ticket to the game as a student at the training school,” Melvin said. “That was a big deal to a high school student. I lived way out in the country… I had to walk a mile and a half up a gravel road and hitchhike to the school.” Since meeting nearly 40 years ago, the couple has remained involved in the community. Rita and Melvin first met while Rita was working with the chemistry department. She said she was preparing to move to
Photo courtesy of Rita Henley
Rita and Melvin Henley will be the Grand Marshals of the 2018 Homecoming Parade.
Madisonville, Kentucky, when one day in the chemistry office, she was talking to Melvin about renting a U-Haul truck. “He said ‘Well, I’ve got one, I don’t mind taking you.’ He was the mayor then, so I said ‘You don’t have time to do that.’ And the rest is history,” Rita said. “We ended up together and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to both of us.” In addition to serving as a professor and chair of the chemistry department at Murray State from 1987 to 1992, Melvin held a number of leadership positions in the city of Murray. He served as mayor from 1978 to 1982. He was also a city council member and he served as a state representative for four terms from 2005 to 2012. The Henleys have two scholarships in their name at Murray State: the Melvin B. Henley Training School Scholarship, open to descendants of anyone who was a teacher or student at Murray Training College High or University School, and the Melvin and Rita Henley Chemistry Scholarship for junior and senior chemistry majors. When they got the call regarding being Grand Marshals this year, Rita said they were both honored. “We were thrilled,” Rita said. “Our blood is blue and gold. We love Murray State and we just want good things to continue there.” The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. For the link to the livestream, visit TheNews.org.
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Homecoming
October 25, 2018
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Reunions take center stage at Homecoming Bridgette McAuliffe Staff writer bmcauliffe@murraystate.edu
Homecoming is a special time for students, faculty, staff and alumni of Murray State. Many of the departments on campus are hosting events to reconnect with and celebrate the alumni who made the trip back to visit their alma mater. The Department of Occupational Safety & Health is celebrating its 40th anniversary by hosting an event that coincides with Homecoming Weekend. Tracy Wortham, chair of the OSH department, is excited to see alumni and past professors come back to campus. Wortham said they have been planning this event for the past year and that it has a natural tie to
Homecoming. “On Thursday, members of the industry that employ our students and alumni are coming to review our program and give us advice,” Wortham said. Additionally, the department is bringing in guest speakers to present to alumni and students of the University. “We have guest speakers coming in that are highlighting some of the new things in the pro-
fession,” Wortham said. “We have a speaker coming in that’s going to be demonstrating virtual reality training; using virtual reality to train people to spot hazards and to train employees to protect themselves.” Along with the many guest speakers, the department is celebrating past professors that are returning to campus for the event. Students in the OSH department are also par-
ticipating in the event by helping set up and networking at the different sessions over the course of the day. The department will also be participating in Tent City. Murray State’s Homecoming is centered around the Homecoming football game. Dave Winder with Murray State Athletics is excited to celebrate the many faces returning to campus, including the former athletes that are being hon-
R E U N I
ored at Homecoming. Winder said Murray State Athletics is celebrating former teams all from years ending in the number eight. They are hosting an event in the CFSB Center on Friday, Oct. 26, for returning football alumni. “I’ve always felt that athletics plays a part in the University community,” Winder said. “We have 300+ student athletes every year trying to be the best they can
be at their sport and also the best they can be as students.” “The Golden” is also hosting a Homecoming event Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27. The event is bringing together members of the Class of 1968 for a campus tour, anniversary dinner, reserved seating for the Homecoming Parade and the football game. For more information, contact the alumni office 1-800-758-8510.
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Rosalyn Churchman/The News
2018 Homecoming
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October 25, 2018
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE Welcome Home Racers!
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 6:30 p.m.
Take Me Out to the Museum: A Night of Baseball with MLB Coach Mark Riggins at Wrather Museum
Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 5-8 p.m.
A Taste of the Arts Dinner and Auction
Friday, Oct. 26, 2018 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Hall of Benefactors open
8 a.m.
OSH breakfast, networking and Flash Seminars
11 a.m.
OSH Anniversary Celebration with faculty and staff
11 a.m.
Lambda Chi Alpha golf tournament
11:30 a.m.
Hutson School of Agriculture: Dean’s Circle Luncheon
4 p.m.
Homecoming 2018: Homecoming Run
4:30 p.m.
Department of Applied Health and Sciences social
5 p.m.
OSH Networking at Big Apple Cafe
5-7 p.m.
School of Nursing Alumni and Friends Homecoming Reception
6 p.m.
Lambda Chi Alpha social hour at Sid Easley Alumni Center
Homecoming
October 25, 2018 6 p.m.
Class of 1968 Golden Anniversary Dinner
6:30 p.m.
Rowing Team reception at Dan Lavit’s House (1321 Olive Blvd.)
6-9 p.m.
Hutson School of Agriculture 56th Annual Homecoming Cherry Expo Center
7-10 p.m.
Young Alumni Meet and Greet at Tap 216
7-10 p.m.
African American Alumni Friday Meet and Greet Welcome Dinner Murray Banquet Center
7 p.m.
Alpha Sigma Phi - Delta Tau Meet and Greet at Alpha Sigma Phi House
7:30 p.m.
50th Anniversary Banquet for Lambda Chi Alpha
8 p.m.
Murray State Jazz Orchestra Swing Dance
9 p.m.
African-American Alumni Old School Dance at Murray Banquet Center All are welcome, special guests former members of the 20 Grand Club
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Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018 8 - 9:30 a.m.
COEHS Breakfast
8 a.m.
MClub Breakfast
9:30 a.m.
Homecoming Parade
10 a.m.
Baseball Alumni Game (Batting Practice)
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Wrather West Kentucky Museum exhibits open Vintage tees for sale
10:30 a.m.
Racer for the Homecoming Cup, Murray State Rowing at MSU Boathouse at Kenlake
10:30 a.m.
Kappa Delta Alumnae Tea at Kappa Delta House
11 a.m.
Murray Christian Fellowship 50th Anniversary Celebration Campus House
11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Tent City
2:30 p.m.
Annual Student Government Association Homecoming Picture Located South End Steward Stadium under scoreboard
Pre-game
Coronation of the Homecoming King and Queen
3 p.m.
Football Game, Murray State vs. Jacksonville State
7 p.m.
NPHC Homecoming Step Show, Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
9 p.m.
African-American Alumni Homecoming Dance Gala (featuring DJ Jiza) at Spring Hill Suites, sponsored by `70s, `80s and `90s alumni All are welcome, special guests former members of the 20 Grand Club
Homecoming
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October 25, 2018
Homecoming drives Murray economy Daniella Tebib Staff writer
dtebib@murraystate.edu
As Homecoming Weekend brings on-campus celebration, local businesses prepare for the expected increase of visitors to the community. Michelle Bundren, CEO and president of the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce, said Murray State is an important part of the local economy. “Murray State is a large driver in our local economy, and weekends like Homecoming are a big deal to our business community,” Bundren said. “We see significant increases in traffic in local businesses such as restaurants and retailers, and our role is to remind businesses to prepare for the increase in visitors and to display their Racer Pride on signs, windows, etc.”
Many establishments in Murray have already begun preparing for Homecoming Weekend in anticipation of big crowds. DJ Hamilton, manager at Mister B’s Pizza and Wings, said they are already completely staffed for Homecoming Weekend. Gustavo Leon, manager at Los Portales, said Homecoming Weekend usually brings in a big crowd for their restaurant too, but it is also beneficial for the entire community. “It helps everyone in Murray - the businesses, restaurants and hotels,” Leon said. “It’s good for all of us financially because it brings a lot of people in.” As alumni return to Murray, they often stay at hotels in the area. Amanda Key, front desk worker at Murray Plaza Lodge, said the lodge is already booked for Homecoming Weekend. “We are absolute-
ly affected financially by Murray State, especially during Homecoming Weekend,” Key said. “We are already completely booked up, as we usually are when there are big events happening on campus.” Bundren said alumni love to return to Murray during big events such as Homecoming to see how the town has changed since they attended Murray State. “So many [alumni] have special memories from off-campus businesses they once visited such as Dairy Queen or places such as Central Park while a student,” Bundren said. “It’s always encouraging for them to see new businesses that have located here and I frequently hear comments like ‘Wow! Murray is really growing and changing.’” Bundren said the memories of alumni are something that can be passed
Kalea Anderson/The News
Businesses show their Racer pride during Homecoming Weekend. from generation to generation. “Children hear their parents tell stories of their time here and finally meet the people in those stories,” Bundren said. “Our hope is that those children begin to build a desire to attend Murray State like their parents.” Madison Hillberry, fresh-
man from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is an example of that hope in action. Hillberry’s dad is a Murray State alumnus and will be visiting Murray for Homecoming Weekend. “My dad loved and still loves Murray State and its community,” Hillberry said. “Everytime he
comes back to Murray, he always stops by his old favorite local places. He knows how important the University is to the community for many reasons.” If you’re in Murray for Homecoming Weekend, don’t forget to stop by and support all of your favorite local establishments in town.
Homecoming
October 25, 2018
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2018 Homecoming Court Amy Turner Staff writer aturner32@murraystate.edu
In high school, the Homecoming Court may have just been a popularity contest; but at Murray State, it means much more. To be selected on the Court, students must be nominated by an on-campus organization, complete an application and go through an interview process. Students selected to be on the Court were selected for their campus involvement and dedication to excellence. The Court is made up of 10 students. This group of five males and five females were nominated for their campus involvement and Racer pride. After going through the application process and a panel of judges, they are now awaiting the verdict. The crowning ceremony will take place before the start of the football game Saturday, Oct. 27. Voting will open at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, and close at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25. Students can vote through their MyGate accounts on the home page tab. The candidates are Barrett Blackburn, Lindsay Crafton, Paxton Crider, Maggie Moore, J.T. Payne, Abby Jo Scheriger, Tiffany Tate, John Winchester, Joey Wirth and Austin Zinobile.
Barrett Blackburn
Barrett Blackburn is a senior from Eddyville, Kentucky. On campus, she is the Student Government Association senator for the College of Education and Human Services, a member of Alpha Epsilon Alpha, a member of Order of Omega, the president of Alpha Omicron Pi, a member of intramurals teams, a participant in the Miss Murray State Pageant and a summer orientation counselor.
Lindsay Crafton
Lindsay Crafton is a senior from Bragg City, Missouri. She is the president of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, president of Gamma Beta Phi Honors Society focused on service, leadership and community and a member of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. She is also a student worker for CEHS, a member of the CEHS Dean’s Student Advisory Council, a Summer Orientation counselor, a student ambassador with the office of
Photo courtesy of msublueandgold.org
The 2018 Murray State University Homecoming Court. recruitment, a Racer 101 counselor and a member of the Honors College.
Paxton Crider
Paxton Crider is a senior from
Arlington, Kentucky. He is the external vice president in his fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha, chief justice and chairman of the Judicial Board, a member of Campus Outreach, a member of Order of Omega, a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and attends Hardin Baptist College Ministry.
Maggie Moore
Maggie Moore is a junior from Paducah, Kentucky. She is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, a member of the Social Work Club, attends the Wellness Center, attends the Baptist Campus Ministry, attends Campus Outreach and has been a rush counselor for Greek life.
J.T. Payne
J.T. Payne is a senior from Henderson, Kentucky. On campus, he is president of SGA, a member of the
Hutson School of Agriculture through the collegiate FFA and president of the College Republicans.
Abby Jo Scheriger
Abby Jo Scheriger is a senior
from Trigg County, Kentucky. On campus, she is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, a member of the College Republicans and a member of the Selection Committee for Strategic Enrollment.
Tiffany Tate
Tiffany Tate is a senior from
Hardinsburg, Kentucky. On campus, she is vice president of recruitment and public relations for Alpha Sigma Alpha, a member of Order of Omega, a member of the KEA, a member of AUA- honors literacy program for education majors, a member of Math Tank, attends the Newman House ministry and has been a student ambassador.
John Winchester
John Winchester is a senior from Murray. On campus, he is involved
in Pi Kappa Alpha, the Hutson School of Agriculture where he serves as a senator, the Gentlemen’s Service Club, Order of Omega, the Agribusiness Club and campus outreach.
Joey Wirth
Joey Wirth is a senior from
Fults, Illinois. On campus, he is the president of his fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon, president of Student Ambassadors, an officer of the Interfraternity Council, the vice chair of the Greek Standards Board, a counselor for Great Beginnings, a member of Order of Omega, and has been a Peer Buddy.
Austin Zinobile
Austin Zinobile is a senior from Bowling Green, Kentucky. On campus, he is the student worker for the recruitment office, a student ambassador, a summer orientation counselor, the president of Lambda Chi and a member of IFC.
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Homecoming
October 25, 2018
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TUESDAY
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FRIDAY
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SATURDAY
Margarita pitcher $9.99 with entree purchase (any flavor, 11am-6pm)
SUNDAY
Half-price cheese dip (11am-3pm) After 3pm: 15% off entire ticket with church bulletin
Thank you for voting Don Sol as Murray’s #1 Mexican restaurant
October 25, 2018
Homecoming
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Homecoming
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October 25, 2018
Daily Specials on Drinks MON . - SAT.
SUNDAY
11 AM - 10 PM
11 AM - 9 PM
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