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August 29, 2019 | Vol. 94, No. 1

@MurrayStateNews

University sees jump in enrollment INSIDE reminds me of home.”

The University has also seen an increase in enrollment in new graduate students and transfer students.

Graduate student rates saw an 11.2 percent increase from fall 2018 and transfer student rates saw a 10.2 percent increase compared to fall 2018, according to the press release.

President Bob Jackson attributes this increase to a number of things.

“A lot of hard work has been put in by a lot of great people here at Murray State University,” Jackson said.

“When I started as interim president, in my first week we began with the Roads Scholar Program, where faculty, staff and administrators visited high schools all over the regions including other states like Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee…

Being there, being seen and

Daniella Tebib News Editor dtebib@murraystate.edu

After a steady decline in enrollment numbers, Murray State bounced back this semester.

Enrollment steadily decreased from fall 2016 until fall 2018. Fall 2018 numbers showed a 9 percent decrease from the fall 2017 freshman class.

However, this year’s freshman class showed a 7.7 percent increase from fall 2018, and an estimated 16.7% percent increase from the fall 2017 numbers, with a total of 1,420 freshman students.

New freshmen on campus said they chose Murray State because of the community.

“I decided to come to Murray State because I felt as if I was a person here and not a number,” Brooklyn Woolsey, freshman from Evansville, Indiana, said. “It’s just a small town feeling that

Colton Colglazier/The News

,

see ENROLLMENT page 3

Einstein Bros. Bagels arrives on campus

page 3

The silent struggle: combating mental illness page 5 Racer volleyball named OVC favorites page 8 Former Woods Hall space to become park page 10

Index News Opinion Sports Features

page 1 page 4 page 7 page 10

Colton Colglazier/The News

Pardon our progress: Jackson gives update

Megan Reynolds Editor-in-Chief mreynolds12@murraystate.edu

The second week of classes is underway, construction is ongoing throughout campus and students will find a variety of new projects at Murray State this semester.

“I say to everyone, especially our students, pardon our progress,” Murray State President Bob Jackson said.

“Pardon what we’re doing, but we’re trying to enhance campus.”

Restaurants

Since the name Sodexo first dropped two semesters ago, students were chomping at the bite to see changes to campus food.

It wasn’t long before the news came that Murray State would get a Chick-fil-A. One year later, the restaurant has put signs out for “Moovin’ in soon,” but students still haven’t been given a date they can expect to start eating there.

“Chick-fil-A has been very serious, as they should be, in regards to the service and training of their employees,” Jackson said.

He said the wait for Chick-

I say to everyone, especially our students, pardon our progress.

fil-A is almost over; in the next week, students can expect to hear some good news concerning the restaurant.

“We’re going to start something fun in regards to a countdown for Chick-fil-A,”

-President Bob Jackson

Jackson said. “So you may hear something more next week.”

Chick-fil-A isn’t the only restaurant Murray State can expect to see in the near future. Steak ‘n Shake and Starbucks will also make

their way to campus.

Einstein Bros. Bagels was the first of these improvements, with its grand opening on Aug. 27. Chick-fil-A is to follow, with Starbucks and Steak ‘n Shake trailing afterward.

“Starbucks, it’s very possible, will be completed this semester,” Jackson said. “Steak ‘n Shake, it may be completed over the Christmas holiday break.”

Steak ‘n Shake will share a space with the Thoroughbred Room, as well as Sodexo’s Tres Habaneros.

,

see PROGRESS page 2

News

2

August 29, 2019

Plant closure leads to job loss 1:46AM

Subject was arrested for alcohol intoxication in a public place at the College Courts.

8:05AM

Theft was reported on campus after a computer was taken on Aug. 1 and later recovered off campus.

9:55PM

Theft was reported in the residential circle after items were taken from a parked vehicle on Aug. 13.

State graduates and community members will lose their jobs.

“It helps drive the economic growth and economic engine in the community,” Claiborne said. “Our hope is that there is such a high demand for production workers, skilled trades and even engineering staff in this region. There is another company coming to Murray and they are going to need several employees. Frankly, the people that work with these companies are always concerned about having trained professional employees at the production level and the engineering and manufacturing level.”

President Bob Jackson said while the plant closure is unfortunate, the University and community must respond positively.

“We have a new plant coming to Murray that is under construction as well as the opening of the HempWood manufacturer,” Jackson said.

“Our job is to build and bring more jobs to this community.”

Logan Brown, junior from Madisonville, Kentucky, said he was surprised that the company decided to close.

“In engineering, we always hear about all the companies around here that like to have

Murray State’s engineering students come work for them, so I always assumed it was a little hub for companies like them to be able to function well,” Brown said.

Claiborne also said it may bring new business to the area since there will no longer be a competitor.

“Initially, I think it shocks people, but on a second phase I think a company may say we might have a building and professional staff and employees ready to go to work,” Claiborne said, “They will be excited with a relationship with a new company coming in. Ultimately, it might not be a negative for a new company because there would be opportunities to help the community, tax incentives, community incentives and staff and resources that will be available.”

However, Claiborne said he’s concerned about the short-term impact on families who will lose their jobs.

“These families are friends of ours,” Claiborne said. “We are concerned about them, as people, and that is probably the biggest concern this community ought to have is of the people of the community.”

PROGRESS From Page 1

No definitive timeline has been given for their completion, but the T-Room will remain open during the construction of these two new establishments.

Aside from the restaurants being added to the academic side, Winslow is also due to be updated in the coming months.

Parking

Richard Thompson/The News Bob Jackson, ready for the new year, explains his plans for the University.

Murray State took this past summer to add a multitude of new parking spaces to the Curris Center lot.

“We wanted to get rid of the islands that were out there,” Jackson said. “They were hard to cross, there were accidents, they just didn’t look that good.”

8/16

Lauren Morgan/The News Briggs & Stratton will be closing its Murray plant in fall 2020.

1:25AM

Marijuana was found in the Lee Clark College parking lot. A citation was issued for possession of marijuana.

11:55PM

During a traffic stop, a driver was arrested for possession of marijuana, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and drugs and failure to illuminate their rear license plate.

8/17

Briggs and Stratton announced its plant in Murray will be closing next fall resulting in the loss of 600 jobs.

The company produces small engines and provided jobs for many members of the community for over two decades.

Danny Claiborne, chair of the Institute of Engineering, said Briggs and Stratton was a valuable asset to Murray State’s Institute of Engineering.

“They provide the Institute of Engineering’s annual financial support; they have for 20 years,” Claiborne said.

“They have given us funding from their foundation out of Milwaukee.”

Claiborne also said the plant gives the institute products for research and labs. Briggs and Stratton provided its facility to the Institute of Engineering as an extended classroom.

“We have taken tours through, faculty through, administration through to show how our relationship works with our local industry,” Claiborne said.

Murray State has also helped Briggs and Stratton.

“They would bring their design work here,” Claiborne said. “We would 3D print the part, then they could do the product testing and that was done for many years.”

Claiborne also said the engineering staff was composed of graduated engineering students at Murray State.

In addition, Claiborne said Murray State had the only successful student afternoon production line. There were two shifts that were employed by students of all majors.

The shutdown of the plant will impact Murray’s economic development as many Murray

8/15

Haley Penrod Staff Writer hpenrod1@murraystate.edu

12:16AM

Criminal mischief was reported after a door was damaged in Hart College.

10:22AM

Theft was reported at Elizabeth College after a bicycle was stolen on Aug. 6. The investigation is still open.

5:03PM

Subject was arrested for alcohol intoxication in a public place on Waldrop Drive. Medical assistance was required.

The Police Beat is compiled with material provided by Public Safety and Emergency Management. Not all dispatched calls are listed.

Colton Colglazier/The News

While definitely the top concern, decreasing the danger of the parking lot was not the only reason it was expanded.

With all the new business they expect to see in the Curris Center with the addition of three new restaurants, Jackson said more parking was a necessity.

Parking has also been added outside Faculty Hall with Primary Care in mind.

These spots are specifically for Murray State students and faculty utilizing who are patients at Primary Care.

Primary Care, also a new addition to campus, is located on the first floor of Wells Hall.

After Fast Pace’s contract ran out as the 2019 spring semester ended, Primary Care signed on.

Primary Care is open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through

Friday. It is closed on weekends.

Academics

Murray State has been working to create a thriving academic environment since the school’s founding in 1921.

Now, that continued effort is seen in the expansion of various programs and dedication to scholarships.

This past year, the University had its best fundraising year since 2012, raising $9.1 million. This will benefit students immensely.

“Half of that went to student scholarships,” Jackson said.

Jackson is also working with a foundation team to begin a new campaign that would work to support students greatly.

Jackson has high hopes for the next Board of Regents meeting, where he plans to announce new projects.

News

August 29, 2019

3

Murray welcomes new HempWood manufacturer Nick Kendall Contributing Writer nkendall1@murraystate.edu

Lauren Morgan/The News Sophomore Jenna Howard enjoys her first breakfast at the recently opened Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Einstein Bros. Bagels arrives on campus Haley Penrod Staff Writer hpenrod1@murraystate.edu

Luis Servin, a junior from Paris, Tennessee, said he goes to Einstein Bros. Bagels every morning.

“It was a very smart move because a lot of commuter students get to campus and do not eat breakfast,” Servin said. “It is nice to have that option available for whenever you don’t have a lot of time in between classes and you

ENROLLMENT

could have been a factor in the increase in enrollment numbers.

“Based on recent University reports, a total of $117 million is awarded annually in financial aid and scholarships to Murray State students. Murray State provides many academic achievement scholarships as well as needbased scholarships and grants,” according to the press release.

Jackson said he plans to increase scholarships even more in the years to come after the University experienced a spike in donations.

Not only have enrollment numbers increased, but retention rates have also been positive.

dents attend will win $1000 for catering their next party.

Students also said they are pleased with the hours of Einstein Bros. Bagels celeEinstein Bros. Bagels because brated their grand opening there aren’t a lot of options on Aug. 27 by offering prizes on campus in the evening. and samples of their food.

Kristen Schulhoff, junior The restaurant officially from Parker, Colorado, said opened on Aug. 12 and is she is happy that Einstein one of several new restauBros. is open until 10 p.m., rants coming to campus. even if it is really busy.

Since its openH e l e n ing, students said Wharton, junior it has consistently from Florence, It was a very smart move been very busy.

Kentucky, also said because a lot of commuter “It is a great her favorite aspect students get to campus and do addition to Murray is having more State,” Yasmin options to eat after not eat breakfast.

Zarate, sophoa certain time.

-Luis Servin, junior from Paris, Tennessee more from Milan,

“In the past, Tennessee, said. if you had a flex-on“The line is always crazy, can just pop in for a bite to ly plan after a certain time but students generally seem eat.” you couldn’t spend any flex,” happy with this new option.” To celebrate its grand Schulhoff said.

Students with the all-access opening on Aug. 27, the The regular hours will be meal plan are able to use restaurant offered a compe- Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m. swipes for specific items on tition between residential to 10 p.m; Friday: 7:30 a.m. to the menu, but flex can be colleges. The residential col- 4 p.m; Saturday: Closed; and used to purchase any item. lege who had the most stu- Sunday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

From Page 1 and actively recruiting students is important because it is a very competitive environment.”

Jackson also said the University started the Racer Roadshow this summer where members of the University toured several cities in Kentucky and other states to boost enrollment. He said he thinks this in addition to heightened marketing efforts has resulted in higher enrollment numbers.

Jackson also said he believes the number of scholarships awarded

“Compared to other comprehensive universities in Kentucky, we were no. 1 regarding retention rates from fall 2017 to fall 2018,” Jackson said.

However, Jackson said the recruitment efforts do not stop there. He and the University plan to continue improving campus.

“Enhancing campus and campus life is important for recruitment and retention,” Jackson said. “We plan to make major enhancements to Curris Center and Lovett Auditorium, which we will present to the Board or Regents at the upcoming meeting. We had a four year decline, so it’s going to take four years to bring that back up.”

Fibonacci LLC, the nation’s first HempWood manufacturing operation, celebrated its opening and first official hemp pressing.

Fibonacci created HempWood to create a new cash crop for farmers with this better alternative to regular wood and help lower the effects of deforestation. The manufacturing facility will have an estimated impact of $5.8 million on the local economy and create job opportunities, according to the press release.

Congressman James Comer was at the public event. He was given the honor of cutting the ribbon, symbolizing the grand opening of the plant. Comer said he hopes the opening of this plant will help return jobs to the community, especially with the news that Briggs and Stratton will close their Murray location.

Greg Wilson, owner of Fibonacci, said he chose Murray because it was common sense for him.

“There’s not too many places where you can find two-thirds of your population working toward or already having a college degree,” Wilson said. “Also, you got Land Between the Lakes. I’m an outdoor guy. I’m a bowhunter.”

He also enjoys how diverse Murray is and how it will help his wife feel like she’s part of the community.

“If I’m going to move somewhere for a significant piece of my life—five, 10 or 20 years—I have to choose a place that I like and with having a university here, my wife fits in,” Wilson said.

“She’s from China. I didn’t want to move to an area that didn’t have a diversity base, didn’t have an education level and didn’t have out-

door activities. So when the school’s out, I can go play in the lake.”

He credits Murray State for how helpful the department of agriculture has been. The University sourced the hemp for Wilson and the company to use last year.

Murray State and many other hemp growers throughout western Kentucky have been contracted over 800 tons of hemp.

Fibonacci uses a lengthy yet effective process to grow and create the hemp and other products.

“The hemp in the field is typically planted in May,” Wilson said. “In about four months, the male plants start to die and then it’s time for them to cut off the top because the females have put their seeds out on the top of the plants. They come through, usually in September, and cut the top of it. And then it’s a matter of five to 15 days, that they come back and cut the bottom based on weather and turn it into a bale, then that bale comes here.”

Wilson also compared the process of making the HempWood to baking a cake.

“We take the hemp and dip it into a soy-based adhesive,” Wilson said. “We have to dry the water back out of it, press it into a block and put it into an oven. So it’s literally hemp and soybean baked like a cake. There’s a cross-linking agent that’s also bio based and it causes the soy proteins to bond.

Once it comes out of there, we have two days that it has to set and the temperature come down before we can cut it into a board and usually have about a week of putting it into a wood kiln to dry it so you can hit the moisture content you need.”

With business finally under way, Fibonacci is expected to create at least 25 full-time jobs.

Richard Thompson/The News HempWood is an alternative to regular wood.

Opinion

4

August 29, 2019

Legendary Robert Howe McGaughey

Feb. 18, 1941 - June 14, 2019 Robert Valentine Contributing writer rvalentine@murraystate.edu “To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything.” ~ Abraham Lincoln Robert Howe McGaughey III, arrived at Murray State in the late summer of 1961. By any important measure, he never left until the 14th of June, 2019.

He would have agreed with Abe Lincoln, but he would be thinking of Murray — not Springfield, Illinois.

He took with him two Murray State degrees, one Ohio University doctorate, and more accolades for teaching, educational leadership and genuine scholarship than most people could acquire in two lifetimes. He left with us two generations of journalists, a handful of new programs and a campus full of memories of the man everyone — from the president to the newest freshman — called “Doc.” Doc McGaughey grew up in Hopkinsville loving sports, journalism and a good joke. He played baseball and basketball, wrote for student papers and publications, sold ads for newspapers and radio and was a disc jockey for a while as a teenager.

He joined ROTC at Murray State where he was an outstanding student, an athlete and lived at The Murray State News. He majored in history and journalism. He served two years of active duty in the Army before returning to become the first masters recipient in journalism at Murray State.

Then he was off to Ohio University where he earned his doctorate in record time.

His time in the Army and his residency at Ohio University were the only times after 1961 that he was away from Murray or Murray State.

In 1969, he joined the faculty as an instructor in journalism. Five years later he became one of the youngest department chairmen in Kentucky as he began a 25-year career of building a small

department with one major into something special. As one of his successors, Dr. Bob Lochte put it: “Back in the 1970s and ‘80s, when Murray State was barely a university, Doc almost single-handedly created a nationally-accredited program in journalism and mass communications with four undergraduate majors, a master’s degree, award-winning campus media, and nearly 400 students. All of this happened in a small remote Kentucky town, in a state whose appreciation of higher education largely starts and ends with how good your basketball team is.”

He created a legend. By the end of his active career, everyone recognized it.

His devotion to students was reflected in his Distinguished Professor Award, the Max Carman Outstanding Teacher Award from the SGA and the crowds that surrounded him at every Homecoming. He was adviser to several student groups and served for two years as co-head of Elizabeth Residential College.

As chair of journalism, he influenced and led the growth of the University’s public radio station, WKMS-FM. He developed the television production, advertising and public relations majors, and saw them grow into regional suppliers of nationally-known talents.

His profession honored him with a number of awards from the Kentucky Press Association, election as the KPA Education Representative, repeated invitations to the International Radio and Television Society’s annual conference and selection by the IRTS as the Frank Stanton Fellow: the outstanding broadcast educator in America.

In 2012 he was named to the Kentucky Press Hall of Fame, joining two of his teachers and one of his former students in that distinction.

The campus recognized him, as well. Doc was proud of pointing out that he had a building named for him: Faculty Hall. (That was a joke, of course. He had others.) Deans, fellow chairs and even presidents referred to him as the students

did; he was simply “Doc” to everyone.

His legend, however, was founded most in his care for the students. He was asked to be godfather to the children of his graduates. He provided unpublicized support for students who needed money to travel to a first job; who would have dropped out of school except for his encouragement and support; who would have failed to get needed medical help without his intervention.

He even introduced young men and women who later married. He became a legend because he cared, and put everything he had into making his caring a reality.

You will not see him this year at Tent City, or doing “The Comedy Hour” at Lizo, or meeting at Cracker Barrel with his fellow MSU veterans at the periodic ROMEO meetings (“Retired Old Men Eating Out”). For the first time since 1961, Doc McGaughey has, as he used to say, “left the building.”

He left something for you.

Doc left to his colleagues an example of devotion to Murray State and her students. His dedication was to each student — no matter how gifted or how needy.

He left to the students — whether you knew him or not — a legacy of enthusiasm for all things Racer. From athletic games to residential colleges, from All Campus Sing to Great Beginnings, from study times to road trips, he left an example of enjoyment and friendship. Party hard, play hard, study hard and make real friends. For Doc, friends lasted forever. Some of his dearest friends he made as a student at MSU; the rest he made as a faculty member.

And just in case you missed one of his shows — as funny a time as you are likely to have in your life — here is the message with which he left all his audiences: “If you want to be a good communicator, don’t forget: First, you’ve got to listen.

And second: no matter how bad it gets, never, ever lose your sense of humor.”

Robert Howe McGaughey, Legendary.

Our View

August 29, 2019

5

The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.

The silent struggle: combating mental illness Preparing for college is impossible. The stress that comes with being a student is incomprehensible until they are finally here and fully immersed.

Students are swamped with hours poured over textbooks, papers and projects. In turn, they struggle to take care of themselves.

College is difficult. The last thing a student needs is to silently struggle with mental health issues.

We hear that being involved on campus is a solution to combating a negative mindset – and it can be! But balancing too many classes and extracurriculars can also contribute to anxiety and depression People don’t want to talk about mental health.

Unfortunately, those struggling with issues are passed off as “dramatic” or aren’t taken seriously. The stigma is still present, although it’s being overcome in society.

Angie Trzepacz, director of university counseling services, feels as though the stigma of mental health is slightly worse at Murray State than the national average. However, Trezepacz states Murray State offers more of a care-taking mentality among the faculty and staff than other campuses Murray’s community contains a piece of the puzzle. It still needs to do better about reinforcing to students that mental health issues are nothing to be ashamed of.

The University provides counseling free of charge to students, but many still do not know about these services. Often, those who are aware do not feel comfortable reaching out. Counseling services can only pass out so many flyers and hang so many signs.

Eventually, it is up to the community to challenge stigmas and help one another.

There is a rising number of students who are

Praying is pushed as the primary treatment when the focus should be on other helpful tactics.

Students are faced with an immeasurable standard to excel and acquire perfection in all tasks. Not to be confused with excellence or hard work, perfection is unattainable.

Many think depression levels have spiked due to electronics and smartphones. People interact less with others, and the lack of emotional connection gives rise to loneliness. As social beings, this makes way for multiple other issues.

Whether they’re struggling with mental health issues or not, self-care is the most important thing a person can do for themselves.

Autumn Brown/The News “Make sure that you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy, getting exseeking treatment at campus counseling centers ercise, and do some time management,” across the nation. At Murray State, the numbers Trzepacz said. “Balance your time by making are also increasing. sure you have time for studying but also for fun.”

Trzepacz states that the counseling center supAccording to Trzepacz, a person dealing with ported over 500 students using their services last mental health issues must properly take care of year – a record number. The influx of students is themselves, otherwise problems they deal with not a bad thing; this doesn’t equate to an increase will be amplified. in mental health issues. Hopefully, more students “If you take care of yourself, that can really are utilizing counseling because the negative help with some of the mental health issues,” Trzestigma is disappearing on campus. pacz said.

A survey conducted by the Association for There are other fun ways a person can chalUniversity and College Counseling Center Direc- lenge a negative mindset. tors found that anxiety is a peak concern among Trzepacz states that playing with animals, college students at 41.6 percent followed by hanging out with friends and family, and finding depression at 36.4 percent. The numbers contincreative activities all help battle depression. ue to grow.

Doing lighthearted things that bring joy are There are a number of reasons to explain healthier than we realize. It is important to find sky-rocketing mental health issues. things to push away negative thoughts and reIncreasing college tuition alongside other place them with positive ones. substantial prices stress students to the point of More importantly, challenge the negativity. Purneeding counseling. Overworked students add sue a major and extracurriculars that are worth loads onto already-strained schedules in order to the stress. make every penny count.

Counseling services are located in room C104 Schools located in the Bible Belt tend to have in the Oakley Applied Science Building. more negative views toward mental health issues, and thus students are less likely to seek help.

Megan Reynolds Daniella Tebib Claire Smith Gage Johnson Cady Stribling Editor-in-Chief

News Editor Features Editor Sports Editor

Opinion Editor mreynolds12@murraystate.edu dtebib@murraystate.edu csmith110@murraystate.edu gjohnson17@murraystate.edu cstribling1@murraystate.edu

Editorial Board

Bryce Anglin David Wallace Production Manager Chief Copy Editor

zanglin@murraystate.edu dwallace15@murraystate.edu

Kalea Anderson Elizabeth Erwin

Chief Videographer Public Relations Manager kanderson29@murraystate.edu eerwin1@murraystate.edu

The News welcomes commentaries and letters to the editor. Submissions should be 600 words or less, and contributors should include phone numbers for verification. Please include hometown, classification and title or relationship to the University. The News reserves the right to edit for style, length and content. No anonymous contributions will be accepted. All contributions should be turned in by noon on Monday of each week via email to mreynolds12@murraystate.edu.

Connor Dame Brock Kirk Ad Sales Manager Photo Editor

cdame2@murraystate.edu jkirk11@murraystate.edu

John O’Neill

Dr. Stephanie Anderson Online Manager Adviser

joneill4@murraystate.edu sanderson37@murraystate.edu

Contributions to The News are the opinion of the author and not that of The Murray State News. The News is a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. The paper offers a hands-on learning environment for students interested in journalism. The campus press should be free from censorship and advance approval of copy and its editors should develop their editorial and news policies.

Contact Us 2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 TheNews.org

The News strives to be the University community’s source for information. Our goal is to present that information in a fair and unbiased manner and provide a free and open forum for expression and debate.

The News is prepared and edited by students and is an official publication of Murray State University. The first copy is free. Additional copies are available for 25 cents at 111 Wilson Hall.

6

News

August 29, 2019

Sports

August 29, 2019

7

Racers ready to pick up where they left off Gage Johnson Sports Editor gjohnson17@murraystate.edu

After a 2018 fourth-place finish in the OVC, the Racers are looking to continue their improvement in the upcoming 2019 season.

Head Coach Mitch Stewart said they had a longer camp with the beginning of school and made it as taxing as possible to best prepare the group for the upcoming season.

“We’re ready to go,” Stewart said. “It’s finally game week. We’ve got a little bit more urgency.

You’d like to think you practice like game week all the time, but with human nature, you just don’t. There’s a little extra something in the tank and there’s just a different vibe on the field. Just really excited to watch this bunch hit the field and execute at a high level Thursday.”

The Racers are coming off a season in which they finished 5-6 overall with a 5-3 record in OVC play. Their season came to an end with a 48-23 loss to Austin Peay in a battle for third place in the conference. While they finished fourth, the OVC deemed them to finish seventh overall in the conference in the 2019 OVC Preseason Polls.

Despite the step forward taken by Racer football from 2017 to 2018, the team looks very different from a season ago. Only four seniors grace the first depth chart of the year. Add that to losing guys to the NFL or graduation, like Kenny Wooten, Quincy Williams, Drew Anderson and Marquez Sanford, and you have big shoes to fill.

However, Stewart believes that the team has had players step up and it will be crucial to the future of Murray State football.

“I think it’s good for the growth of the program,”

Stewart said. “You’ll see some young guys and you’ll see some guys step up this year in starting roles, Jacob Bell being one of those. He was a guy that we were able to redshirt last year that will step into that starting wide receiver role Thursday.

There’s a couple of guys like that.”

The team will also be without the player who was presumed to be a starting wide receiver and the “Miracle in Murray” returnman Malik Honeycutt.

“We tried to keep it as quiet as we could for as long as we could,” Stewart said.

“Malik messed his knee up and he will not be back for the year. Could possibly have a chance at coming back towards the end of the year, but we will evaluate it at that time.”

While he may not be able to make an impact on the field, Stewart believes Honeycutt can still be an important part of the Racers’ success on the sidelines.

“Now his role is that he has to be the leader that he was on the field, he has to be that off the field,” Stewart said.

“They really need his personality and who he is and his work ethic. They need to see him do that even when he’s not playing, and that’s going to be a very unique experience for him.”

With Anderson, redshirt sophomore Preston Rice will step in as the starting quarterback in week one for the blue and gold. While Preston is only in his third season with the Racers, the connection he and Stewart share is not a luxury every football team has.

“Me and Preston have a long relationship,” Stewart said. “I’ve known him since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. He’s taken every chance that he’s had to learn.

He never once came into my office wanting to trans-

fer or leave. He’s always wanted to know how he can get better.”

Rice’s tenacity and want to just go out and play football is something that Stewart expects to help him and the team thrive.

“The first scrimmage we put him in he looked really uncomfortable and said ‘Coach I can’t play like this,’” Stewart said. “He said ‘This red jersey has got to go. You have to let me play football. We have to go live.’

So that’s what we did.”

On the defensive end, senior linebacker Kendrick Catis feels that the group is more than capable of filling in the shoes of those who have gone on from Murray State.

“I know we lost Kenny and Quincy, but we have another Racer that stepped up in Tay (Carothers) and we added (Grayson) Long,” Catis said. “So I feel like the defense has more talent than it’s ever had since I’ve been here.”

Fans can get their first taste of the Racers on the gridiron at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Roy Stewart Stadium.

Photo courtesy of Racer Athletics Freshman quarterback Joby Jaggers throws on the run in practice.

Photo courtesy of Racer Athletics The Racers partake in receiving drills for their summer camp.

Best pizza? coffee? breakfast? place to cure a hangover? bookstore? student organization at Murray State? place to work on campus? healthcare provider? place to study on campus?

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Sports

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August 29, 2019

Photo Courtesy of Racer Athletics The Murray State Volleyball team get hyped before a postseason OVC game.

Racer volleyball named OVC favorites Nick Kendall Staff writer nkendall1@murraystate.edu

Heading into the 2019 season, the Murray State Volleyball team has been picked to finish first for back-to-back seasons in the OVC preseason poll.

The Racer’s went 22-9 last year and swept Austin Peay 3-0 in the OVC championship. They fell short to Kentucky 3-0 in the NCAA Tournament but still had a great season.

The defending OVC Champions have added more depth at the outside hitter and libero positions in freshmen, Alysha Smith,

Emma Kailiponi and junior, Courtney Swafford.

While the Racers have been given the prestigious honor of being considered the best team in the OVC going into the new season, Head Coach David Schwepker is focused on making sure the team keeps up the constant excellence.

“I already told them no matter what happens, we’re not going to discuss it because it doesn’t matter,” Schwepker said. “All that is off what we did last year and has nothing to do with anything. Nothing’s happened yet so we’ll see what happens at the end of the year.

That’s all that matters.”

Senior Rachel Giustino and junior Becca Fernandez were named to the 2019 Preseason All-OVC team.

This is Fernandez’s first time being selected, but she’s more focused on her team.

“It is an honor,” Fernandez said. “But I try not to pay attention to that stuff because it’s all based on last year, and it doesn’t really have anything to do with my or the team’s mission this year.”

Fernandez has proven to be a team player as she also won OVC Co-Defensive Player of the Year last year by leading the league with 581 digs, averaging 5.01 digs per set.

THE MURRAY STATE NEWS ATHLETE OF THE WEEK In the first two games of the season Watford took 11 shots with six on target, scoring three.

This outpouring of offense earned Watford OVC Player of the Week and helped the Racers get a 1-1 start to the season.

Miyah Watford Senior forward Soccer

Giustino earned this honor for the second time in her career, but just like Fernandez she kept Schwepker’s idea in mind.

“Coach always says that kind of stuff is based on last year and that’s kind of how you have to look at it,” Giustino said. “That really just means that I performed well last year and they’re expecting me to perform well this year, which is just kind of a standard that I have to hold myself to now, but it means really nothing.”

Schwepker is concentrated on the Racers’ first match for the time being.

“We take one match at a time,” Schwepker said.

“There’s not one match is more important than the other. Doesn’t matter who we’re playing, how good they are—that’s of no importance to this program.

We’ve got to do our thing each time we get on the court.”

The Racers begin their season against Valparaiso at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at the IUPUI Hampton Inn Invitational. This is the Racers’ first meeting with the Crusaders since 2014 when their match at the Valparaiso Tournament saw the team lose 3-1.

Sports

August 29, 2019

9

Murray State cross country looking for major improvement in 2019 Nick Kendall Staff Writer nkendall1@murraystate.edu

After injuries, rough conference finishes and graduation, both Murray State men’s and women’s cross country teams plan to bounce back in a huge way.

An 8th-overall finish for the women and 9th-overall finish for the men in the conference championship is not where Head Coach Adam Kiesler wants the teams to be.

However, he believes that will all change this season.

“I think we’re going to improve,” Kiesler said. “I think we’ll see that improvement not just this year, but for the upcoming years. It’s not where we wanted to be last year, but then again, we’re a little bit banged up. So hopefully we’re a little bit more fresh and come OVC time we can maybe be top five, top three.”

Kiesler credits this freshness to the 2019 recruiting class which has adjusted well to the program.

“They’ve been here since their first practices on the 15th,” Kiesler said. “Now it comes with the stress of class, academics, practice, sleep, having a social life, all that type of stuff. I think they’ve done a very good job of adjusting. Cross country is a priority for all of them, so I think they want to make sure that they’re doing what they’re supposed to do to help this team moving forward.”

He also praises the upperclassmen returning this year, but he’s now searching for runners on both squads who will constantly help the Racers’

efforts during the season.

“Last year, we did graduate our No. 1 on both the men’s and women’s side,” Kiesler said. “So again, we’re looking for people to step up to be able to replace them.

Especially on the men’s side, I think the last couple years we’ve had a clear cut No. 1 and 2. I think this year we should have a clear cut No. 1 in Zach Balleau but I think two to five after that really can be a toss up each week. Then on the women’s side, it’s nice to have Emma Creviston back.

She’s a sophomore, so if our No. 1 or 2 is pretty young, I think that bodes pretty well for ourselves.”

Kiesler is also glad to have sophomore Dani Wright back after she suffered a plantar fascia injury on the bottom of her foot.

“It was one of those things where just a freak, wrong step at the wrong time,” Kiesler said. “I think the end of her track season was encouraging and some of the workouts that she’s been a part of through the first week or so since we’ve been back have been good as well.”

Murray State will host its first home meet of the season at Miller Golf Course on Friday, Oct. 18.

“We hope to put on a good show for those people who are going to come out and watch,” Kiesler said. “This will be my 10th year, and we’ve never run a regular-season cross country meet here so that’ll be exciting.”

The Racers’ first meet, for both men and women, will be at Belmont on Friday, Aug. 30.

Photo courtesy of Racer Athletics Murray State men’s and women’s cross country teams huddle up before their respective meets.

Soccer starts season 1-1 Gage Johnson Sports Editor gjohnson17@murraystate.edu

Game one: After a two-hour rain delay, Murray State women’s soccer lost its season opener 4-3 in double overtime against Xavier.

Head Coach Matt Lodge was happy with his team’s performance in the first half, but thought they could’ve executed better in the second half.

“For the first half we were fantastic,” Lodge said. “You go into halftime with a 3-1 team against a very good team, things are promising.

But as I said at halftime, they are not going to go away, they are gonna come back.

The things we dealt with in the first half we let slip in the second half.”

The Racers struck first in the 19th minute when junior forward Rebecca Kubin crossed one into the box and sophomore forward Abby Jones headed it past the keeper to get the game going 1-0.

Xavier junior forward Samatha Dewey answered quickly with a goal of her own to tie the game at 1-1.

Murray State retook the lead in the 24th minute

when senior forward Miyah Watford collected a loose ball around the penalty spot and placed it into the bottom corner, taking the game to 2-1.

In the 43rd minute, senior midfielder Elizabeth Tilton played a through ball to Kubin who tracked it down to extend the Racers’ lead to 3-1.

At the beginning of the second half, Dewey added another goal for her team when she slipped past the Racers’ back line, cutting the lead to 3-2.

Dewey completed her hat trick in the 64th minute to tie the game at 3-3.

The Racers had two more opportunities to win the game. However, they failed to finish either play and regular time ended in a 3-3 draw.

The teams battled for every ball in overtime but nothing came out of the first half. In the second half, a corner from Xavier was slammed into the back of the net by a header from Dewey to claim a 4-3 win.

Game two: The Murray State Racers soccer team got its first win of the season when they

traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, and beat Samford 2-0.

Senior Miyah Watford kicked off the Racers’ attempt for their first win when she opened the score sheet in the 39th minute.

Freshman keeper Jenna Villacres kept the Bulldogs scoreless in the first half with a total of eight saves.

The Racers didn’t score again until the 68th minute when Watford made a pass inside the box to freshman forward Parker Greer who was fouled. Watford stepped to the spot and calmly netted the second for the Racers.

Samford couldn’t find the back of the net for the rest of the game, but it was not for lack of trying. The Bulldogs took 22 shots in the game to the Racers’ 9.

Villacres tallied another five saves in the second half to bring her total to 13 for the game and shutout the Bulldogs.

Watford’s three goals in the Racers’ first two games of the season earned her the first OVC Player of the Week honor of the season.

Murray State will play the University of Indiana Friday, Aug. 30, at 3 p.m. at Cutchin Field.

10

Former Woods Hall space to become park Grant Dillard Staff Writer

gdillard@murraystate.edu Since the 1960s, the Murray State Alumni Association has offered bricks from torndown Murray State buildings, now the bricks from Woods Hall are available, to students and residents alike.

The building was razed over the summer after deteriorating conditions forced faculty and students to move to new locations.

Carrie McGinnis, director of alumni relations, said the project initially came to be as a benefit to Murray State and the Alumni Association.

McGinnis said the idea of giving away bricks from historic Murray State buildings and residence halls isn’t a new concept. In the past, pieces of both Ordway Hall and Springer Residential Hall were taken and sold to

whoever was interested in owning a piece of Murray State history for themselves.

Woods Hall, the current supplier of bricks, has an especially strong legacy at Murray State. The dormitory housed students from 1957 to the early 1990s.

“While it no longer housed students in its later years, Woods continued to play an integral role in the lives of Racers from all over the world as a home to the Office of International Student Services, individual studio space for art and design students and office space for other administrative units,” McGinnis said.

“It had a starring role in the memories of so many alumni over the years, and as soon as word began to spread that it was coming down the calls began coming in for a piece of its history.”

As a result, Murray State

Features

August 29, 2019

Brock Kirk/The News

Woods Hall was demolished to make space for the new Woods Park.

Alumni Affairs have secured several pieces of Woods Hall, including bricks and glass blocks. The glass blocks, which were originally windows at each stair landing of the building, have been popular due to their uniqueness, McGinnis said. They come in small and large sizes.

This project is not just a way to preserve history; it is a fundraiser for the Murray

State Alumni Association. All funds made from the sale of Woods Hall bricks and glass blocks will benefit Murray State Alumni programming, events, scholarships and alumni recruitment efforts through the Office of Alumni Relations and the Murray State University Alumni Association.

Anyone interested in ordering their own brick or glass block, complete with

a certificate of authenticity, visit TheNews.org for more information.

Not only will alumni be able to purchase a piece of history but its memory will live on when a park named after the building takes its place.

“I’m really excited about that,” President Bob Jackson said. “It’s going to be a really neat space for students.”

“

It is necessary to secure various locations for some of the events, such as the residential college meetings.

We also begin organizing a list of events that take place during Great Beginnings.

”

-Trish Lofton, Curris Center administrative assistant Richard Thompson/The News

Students jump at the chance to be hypnotized during Great Beginnings.

Great Beginnings Program celebrates 25 years Claire Smith Features Editor csmith110@murraystate.edu

Beginning college can be exciting and nerve-racking, but Murray State hosts a yearly event that helps make that transition smooth.

Great Beginnings, which is in its 25th year, helps freshmen and transfer students settle into life at the University.

Trish Lofton, Curris Center administrative assistant, said Great Beginnings is an annual tradition for the University.

“New and returning students get assistance in a variety of areas like financial aid, meal plans, advising and so much more,” Lofton said.

The event also gives commuters and residential students an opportunity to mingle whether that be within their shared residential college or at events like bingo and Waterfield Wired.

Planning for Great Beginnings starts in January with the campus and community collaborating to make the event possible.

Events like Explore Murray and bingo have remained a favorite among students and during planning they try to add a new event for students to enjoy.

“Great Beginnings 2019 has been a huge success,” Lofton said. “New students were greeted by faculty and staff throughout this past weekend to assist

with move-in and getting acquainted with campus.”

Great Beginnings also helps ease the transition for parents with an opportunity to write a farewell letter to their son or daughter and a time to say goodbye before their student meets their Great Beginnings leader.

Great Beginnings leaders are upperclassmen who help new students transition smoothly into college life.

Each leader shows a group of students around campus and attends events with them.

Ally Davis, a junior from Newburgh, Indiana, has always participated in on-campus activities and remembers enjoying Great Beginnings when she was a

freshman.

“Since I am almost a senior now, I needed to put more time to my studies but I still wanted to be involved,” Davis said. “So, I thought that becoming a GBL would be a great way to still be involved.”

Great Beginnings features many activities from ice breakers to a hypnotist.

Each year hypnotist Tom Deluca visits the University and puts on a show that draws freshmen and upperclassmen.

Students can volunteer to go on stage and be hypnotized. Throughout the show the audience was thrown into fits of laughter as students danced, forgot their name and sang answers to questions.

The show took place on the second day of classes and was a nice pause for the beginning of the semester.

Jett Spivey, freshman from Rosiclare, Illinois, has enjoyed meeting other people through Great Beginnings.

He also enjoys taking classes that he’s interested in.

Cole Wyatt, freshman from Benton, Kentucky, said Murray is like a second home.

He went to basketball camp at Murray State and grew up around the area.

Great Beginnings will carry on throughout August and September. A complete list of activities can be found at TheNews.org.

Features

August 29, 2019

11

Thursday Aug. 29th: Cinema International

@ 7:30PM Mademoiselle Paradis

German Coffee Table @ 3:30-4:30PM

Gold Rush for Freshmen Mackenzie O’Donley/The News

The Arboretum is located at 300 Hickory Dr. and features plants native to the area.

Arboretum honors Murray’s history Ciara Benham Staff Writer cbenham@murraystate.edu If you look closely at the small town of Murray, you will find a hidden gem where you can get in touch with nature.

Since 2013, the Arboretum at Murray State has been a blossoming staple of learning and relaxing for the community.

“At the Arboretum, we believe that plants are the basis of all life on Earth, as well as a basis of spiritual and emotional well-being,” according to its webpage.

“The Arboretum at Murray State University will build upon our love for nature and sanctuary, stewardship of the natural world, and the need to nurture environmental learning.”

Arboretum Manager Dava Hayden said the Arboretum is a way to honor the area’s history.

“The purpose of the Arboretum is to provide and display a collection of both native and introduced plants, with emphasis on native trees, shrubs and flowers of

historic significance to the western Kentucky region,” Hayden said.

The Arboretum has something for everyone—even dogs. Guests can take their furray friends for a walk on its 0.8-mile track and take their children to play on the playground by the butterfly garden.

Senior Abagail Lanier has a special connection to the Arboretum.

“The Arboretum is somewhere I visit to get away from the busyness that comes with being a college student,” Lanier said. “I have been on walks there and even went there to study or read for a class. It’s a hidden gem that I wish more people took advantage of.”

In February, Lanier even got engaged on “the mountain” of the Arboretum. The mountain is a picturesque pavilion, complete with a waterfall, that allows visitors to look across the gardens.

Each year the Arboretum hosts several events that allow students and community members to get involved.

“Our fundraising event, Hutson Harvest Gala, is com-

ing up Sept. 12,” Hayden said. “It features great food, live music and silent auction items. Just two weeks later, we host Fall on the Farm where thousands of grade school children from around the region will visit and enjoy various games and activities. On Saturday, Sept.

28, the activities are open to the public.”

The Arboretum also offers the Community Garden Program which provides a location for community members to plant a vegetable or flower garden if they do not have their own space to do so due to rental property regulations or unfavorable conditions at their own property.

Students interested in volunteering at the Arboretum can contact Dava Hayden at dhayden6@murraystate. edu.

“We love having volunteers help at the Arboretum,” Hayden said. “In the spring, we need help planting bedding flowers. In the summer, we need volunteers to help water and pull weeds. In the fall, we need help raking leaves.”

@ 5:30PM

Football MSU vs. Pikeville @ 6:00PM

Friday Aug. 30th: Cinema International

@ 7:30PM “Mademoiselle Paradis”

Soccer MSU vs. Indiana University @ 3:00

Tuesday Sept. 3rd: Pet Therapy in Oakley Applied Science @ 12:00-1:00PM

Tennis Club at Purcell Tennis Courts

@ 5:45-7:30PM

Tinseltown in the Curris Theater

@ 7:00PM

Thursday Sept. 5th: Tennis Club at Purcell Tennis Courts

@ 5:45-7:30PM

If you would like to see your event featured here email the Claire at csmith110@murraystate.edu.

Book for Hope continues to be passionate Grant Dillard Staff Writer gdillard@murraystate.edu

September is not only Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, but it also marks the fourth annual Book for Hope Childhood Cancer Walk; an event dedicated to funding childhood cancer research.

Book for Hope was initially inspired by the 2015 book, “It’s Christmas Again,” which was intended to educate children who had been diagnosed with cancer about the experiences they would go through and how to still find joy in life.

“It’s Christmas Again” was written by Gaylon Hayden, a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with breast cancer on Christmas Eve in 2007 at the age of 51.

Hayden wanted to dedicate her life to help children diagnosed with cancer. With that goal in mind she founded Book for Hope.

“There are 43 children diagnosed with cancer in our country daily, and that is double the size of a classroom,” Hayden said. “Last year there were nearly 16,000 new cases of children diagnosed with cancer in our country. One out of eight children will not sur-

vive a cancer diagnosis.”

Book for Hope hosted its first walk in September 2016, with over 350 people registering.

“We are going on five years with our childhood cancer organization,” Hayden said. “And if possible, are more passionate than ever to continue to support those that we feel are the most vulnerable people on earth, children diagnosed with the No. 1 disease-related death in children – cancer.”

Families register by filling out an application and working with their social worker at the hospital they are

being treated in. In return, Book for Hope pays one monthly bill for each family.

“We have teams that have registered, families, and individuals,” Hayden said. “The team with the highest number of walkers will receive free pizza from Mellow Mushroom in Paducah, Kentucky, for a pizza party.”

The walk begins Sept. 7 at 9 a.m., but other activities including face painting and cornhole will take place at 8 a.m.

Registration can be done online and will cost $20 per participant.

The walk is a 2.5k with no

time limit, and there will be plenty of golf carts on standby to get people back to shelter in case some are not able to walk the entire way.

Book for Hope will have other events throughout the year, and encourages as many people as possible to pitch in. Those looking to help or learn more about the organization can check out their website at www.bookforhope.org, and also follow them on Facebook.

“Children are worth lacing-up your tennis shoes and coming to Paducah, Kentucky, to walk for them,” Gaylon said. “Families need to know they are not alone.”

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August 29, 2019