The Murray State News by The Murray State News

Best of

MURRAY 2021

Photo Courtesy of Brock Ki

A special publication of The Murray State News

Best of Murray

The News April 2021

Best of Murray

AND THE WINNERS ARE ...

Best coffee Future Grounds

Best place to bank CFSB

Best sporting event at Murray Basketball

Best nonprofit Murray Calloway County Humane Society

Best ice cream Dairy Queen

Best hotel for visitors to stay at Springhill Suites

Best Mexican food Los Portales

Best place to get a haircut Profiles Salon and Spa

Best place to take your family Land Between the Lakes

Best place to cure a hangover Cookout

Best place to get your car fixed Harlan Automotive

Best place to go for entertainment Corvette Lanes

Best Asian food Jasmine

Best book store Murray State University Book Store

Best gift shop Plantation Gifts

Best bar Tap 216

Best food delivery Murray Eats

Best florist Flowers By Whitney

Best liquor store Global Wine and Spirits

Best pizza place Matt B’s

Best bakery in Murray Dumplin’s

Best place to get breakfast Martha’s

Best boutique Ribbon Chix

Best burger Off the Hoof

Best clothing store Ribbon Chix

Best place to live off-campus Campus Evolution Villages

Best on-campus dining Chick Fil-A

Best consignment shop Goodwill

Best get-away spot Land Between the Lakes

Best steak The Alley Steakhouse

Best fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon

Best place to study Waterfield Library

Best BBQ The Keg

Best sorority Alpha Gamma Delta

Best beer on tap Tap 216

Best place to get a hot dog Chi-Town Dogs

Best place to get a donut Murray Donuts

Best campus napping spot Hammocks in the quad

Best on-campus event All-Campus Sing

Best fast food in Murray Cookout

Best beer on tap TAP 216

Best place to live on campus Franklin

Best grocery store Kroger’s

Best golf course Murray Country Club

Best place to workout Susan E. Bauernfiend Wellness Center

Best place to get a tattoo/piercing My Reality Tattoos and Body Piercing

Best place to grab a sandwich Dumplin’s

Best faculty member Bob Valentine

Best place to get a home-cooked meal Dumplin’s

Best taxi service Mama Nancy’s

Best staff member Shawn Smee

Best tanning salon Campus Tan

Best place to take a date Jamine

Best student organization Alpha Gamma Delta

Best place to worship St. Leo’s Catholic Church

Best place to get a late night snack Cookout

Best current Murray State athlete Malik Honeycutt

The Murray State News would like to congratulate all the winners and thank them for their service to the Murray community.

Best of Murray

The News April 2021

BEST PLACE TO STUDY: Waterfield Library Dionte Berry Features Editor dberry11@murraystate.edu Waterfield Library was voted as the best place to study by Murray State students. With its accommodating study settings, Waterfield has something for all students. The library has three levels to suit students’ desired study conditions. The second floor is the main floor where students are able to talk and collaborate with one another as they do work, and there are computer labs and printers for students to use. The top third f loor is the quiet zone. On this f loor, there is absolute silence for students to study along with individual, lockable study rooms. On the bottom floor is the quiet studying zone where people can talk, but still must be quieter than on the main floor. The bottom level will gain a make r s p a c e s o on , w h ic h w i l l h a v e a men it ie s l i k e 3D pr i nter s , l aser printers and other new tools. Senior nursing major Ashley Orr spends a lot of time studying at Waterfield. Orr chooses Waterfield because of the variety of study spaces on each floor.

“I love that each floor offers something different for studying,” Orr said. “If I need it to be quiet and really focus I will go upstairs, if I want to do something with my nursing cohorts I will go downstairs and if I am here by myself I will stay on the main f loor.” Orr also likes Einstein Bros’ Bagels, and said it gives her an opportunity to stay and study longer instead of leaving and having to get food. Having food is important because Orr has spent upwards of five hours studying in the library in a day. Junior music major Tyler Fitzgerald also spends a lot of time studying in Waterfield. As a music major, most of Fitzgerald’s classes are in the Price Doyle Fine Arts building right across from Waterf ield, making Waterf ield a convenient stop for some st udy ing. “If I have an hour break between classes I will do work here instead of driving back home,” Fitzgerald said. “I just feel more productive here. When I go home I tend to not get work done.” The library has undergone some adjustments to make it sa fe and a l ign w ith COV ID-19 protocol. Inter i m D ea n of Un iver sit y Libr a r ie s Cr is Ferg uson ha s

Jillian Rush/The News Waterfield Library has an outside area for students to study as well as many options inside.

overseen the change in regulations in order to give students a safe studying space. “This academic year has been different because of the pandemic,” Ferguson said. “We have paid a lot of attention to social distancing, mask wearing and food eating, which we would normally allow in the library.” A new element this year is the scanning of IDs in order to monitor building capacity. Though Waterf ield is currently going through changes, it has been through bigger changes before: Waterf ield was not always a librar y.

“Waterfield was originally built as a student center until the Curris Center was built,” Ferguson said. “Once the Curris Center was built as the student center, that was when Waterfield was converted to a library.” Pogue Library was the main campus library before Waterfield’s transition. After Waterfield was converted, Pogue became a secondary library, carrying only special collections of books. Waterfield has grown to be the spot that many students turn to in order to focus on their studies and get work done.

The News April 2021

Best of Murray

BEST FACULTY MEMBER: Robert Valentine Ben Overby Staff Writer boverby2@murraystate.edu T he s ele c t ion for Be st Fac u lt y Member is adver tising senior instructor Robert Valentine. Valentine was born in New York City. After World War II, his family followed his father’s job opportunities to Pennsylvania, Illinois and Iowa, event ua l ly land ing in Kent uck y. Va l e n t i n e a t t e n d e d t h e Un iversit y of Kentuck y and earned a bachelor’s deg ree in h istor y. He returned to earn a master’s in communication after militar y ser v ice i n t he R e p u bl ic of K or e a . Va lent ine sa id he was teac h ing basic public speaking and persuasion when Mur ray State announced a job op en i ng i n com mu n ic at ion. Va l e n t i n e s a i d h i s l o n g c a reer at Murray State was not his original intention. “I intended to spend a few years building my résumé and then move on, but the campus and the town grew on me,” Valentine said. “Curris was building an impressive organization and the opport unities and the associations were very exciting. Then I got the chance to be the debate coach, and that had always been a major interest for me.”

Valentine said he has always been interested in speech. He competed on his high school’s debate team and received a scholarship to the Universit y of Kentucky because of it. He competed on UK’s debate team, and spent time as an assistant coach. “ I h a d a g r e a t t i m e w it h t h e competition, the people and t he c ha l lenge of u ndersta nding how to persuade w it h words a l o n e ,” Va l e n t i n e s a i d . “ Tr y ing to teach a thing helps you le a r n it , a nd b ei n g a n a s sis t a nt coach at UK prepa red me for t he Mu r r ay coac h i n g p osit ion .” Murray State’s debate team won s e v e n OVC c h a mpion s h ip s a nd t wo n at ion a l t it le s w it h Va lentine as coach from 1976 to 1982. Va l e n t i n e i s s e t t o r e t i r e o n Ju ly 1, 2 021. He sa id he does not y e t h av e a r e t i r ement pl a n . “ It ’s l i k e w a l k i n g i nto a v e r y da rk cave w it h no idea of what ’s in there,” Va lentine said. “I have had a regular speaking and performance schedule for over 25 years, but the pandemic has w iped that o f f t h e c a l e n d a r. S o , n o t e v e n my favor ite hobby may be t here when I leave f ul l-time teaching.” Va lentine said there’s no doubt he’ l l miss the classroom. The only question is, how much?

Photo courtesy of Murray State

“MSU has been part of who I am since the summer of 1974,” Valentine said. “Do the math: that ’s a long time. There’s no question I’ll miss the people — I’m in a terrif ic department in a vital college, and I have friends and colleagues all over ca mpus a nd in t he commu n it y.” Valentine said he was amazed to be selected as Best Faculty Member. He said there are so many influential and dedicated teachers that it seems impossible to single out just one.

“ We a l l d e l i v e r t h e i n f o r m ation and encourage the best f r o m s t u d e n t s ; s h o w t h e w a y, com mend t he ac h ie vement, correct the understanding, and d o i t a g a i n — t h e r e a r e l i t e ra l ly hund reds of teachers who d o t h a t o n t h i s c a m p u s ,” Va l e n t i n e s a i d . “ I t ’s w h a t m a k e s Mu r r a y t h e p l a c e it i s : p e o p l e , not bu i ld i n g s . I w i s h I w a s t he best, but I am cer ta in ly proud to h a v e b e e n one of t hem .”

BEST STAFF MEMBER: Shawn Smee Simon Elfrink Sports Editor selfrink@murraystate.edu The people of Murray elected Shawn Smee as Murray State’s Best Staff in the 2021 Best of Murray survey. “It’s been neat to see so many positive changes on and around campus since my time as an undergrad,” Smee said. “Murray is a very special place to me and my family and there are so many great things taking place on a daily basis.” As Murray State’s Director of Recruitment, Smee has his hands full with coordinating his administration as they seek to help potential Racers decide whether or not Murray State is a good fit for them. Before becoming director in 2008, Smee developed his specialty in recruitment and admissions as an Admission

Counselor and Director of Summer Orientation. Smee got his Bachelor’s in Advertising from Murray State in 1998 before returning for his Master’s in Organizational Communication and Leadership in 2001. Smee later earned another degree at Murray State in 2017, this time a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership Studies. “I came to Murray State as a new student from Missouri and enjoyed my time here so much I decided to stay and work on campus right after graduation,” Smee said. “Each and every day through my position I get to tell my Murray State story and help recruit many generations of future Racers.” While he enjoys most aspects of Murray State campus life, Smee’s favorite time of the year is the fall semester. “ Fr o m t h e m o v e -i n m a d n e s s to Homecoming, there is no better time to be a Racer,” Smee said.

Photo courtesy of Murray State

In his short biography on t h e u n i v e r s it y ’s w e b s it e , S m e e l e f t s o m e a d v i c e f o r i n d i v i d ua l s w h o a r e c o n s i d e r i n g M u rray State as the next step in t he i r e duc at ion or c a r e e r p at h .

“Come and visit campus so you can get a glimpse of all the great things taking place,” according to the biography. “From the new facilities to outstanding academic programs to a vibrant student life, there is something here for you.”

Best of Murray

The News April 2021

Best of Murray

Gage Johnson/The News

BEST SPORTING EVENT: Basketball Rachel Essner Staff Writer ressner@murraystate.edu Murray State basketball was voted the best sport the campus has to offer according to the people of the Murray community. The men’s basketball program was founded by Carlilse Cutchin in 1925 and is currently coached by Head Coach Matt McMahon, who is in his sixth season. The women’s program was founded in 1928. However, it was discontinued from 1932-1970 and then brought back in 1971. The women’s team is currently led by Head Coach Rechelle Turner, who is in her fourth season. McMahon has led the men’s basketball team since the 2015-16 season. Before being named head coach, McMahon served as an assistant coach from 2011-15. McMahon has become the third coach in Murray State history to lead the Racers to three consecutive 20-win seasons.

The Racer men finished the 202021 season with a 13-13 overall record and 10-10 in the OVC. The team broke the single-game scoring record in their season opener, scoring 173 points against Greenville College. The previous record was set in 1994 at 138 points against Campbellsville University. Turner began coaching the women’s team in 2017. During her time with Murray State, Turner has led the women’s team to four OVC tournaments resulting in five OVC post-season awards. The women finished the 2020-21 season with a 16-11 overall record and 12-8 in the OVC. Junior guard Macy Turley was a top player for the women’s team this season with 474 points in the season and 1.293 career points. Freshman forward Katelyn Young was also a big contributor to the women’s basketball team with 382 points in her first season with the Racers. Both Young and Turley received First Team All-OVC honors at the end of the season.

Basketball plays a big role in the Murray State community, bringing together many students and faculty to cheer on the Racers. “I love cheering with my fellow students, yelling our heads off and sharing a common passion,” said senior Emily Weber. “There’s always been something special about our basketball team and I have always loved watching them.” Weber has been attending Murray State basketball games since her freshman year in 2017. She said her favorite memory in Racer history is getting to watch the men compete in the 2019 OVC championship. “I had so much pride for our team and that tournament really showed how strong the Murray State fan base is,” Weber said. Freshman Kelley Newell has been attending the basketball games her entire life and has made many memories in her time as a Racer fan. “My favorite memory is going to Hartford, Connecticut, and watching Ja Morant play and win against

Marquette in the NCAA tournament,” Newell said. “I also really enjoyed watching us beat Austin Peay by 30 points at home this season.” Along with students, many Murray State professors enjoy watching the basketball games. Daniel Wann has been a professor in the psychology department at Murray State since 1991. Wann is also a big fan of the basketball team and has had season tickets since his first year at the school. “This is a basketball town,” Wann said. “The men’s team has a long history of success, not just in the OVC but also against power five schools. Fans like that type of success and notoriety.” While the men’s 2020-21 season did not end the way they wanted, McMahon is planning to reevaluate in the offseason and return to the program’s winning ways in the 2021-22 season. Turner was pleased with what the women took away from the 2020-21 and is looking forward to improving in the next season.

Best of Murray

The News April 2021

Best of Murray

BEST ON-CAMPUS EVENT: All-Campus Sing Gage Johnson Editor-in-Chief gjohnson17@murraystate.edu Once every year, the quad at Murray State is flooded with vocal precision and choreographed skits in an event that has been a staple in the University community—that event is the All-Campus Sing. This spring will mark the 62nd annual All-Campus Sing and students are ready to serenade students, faculty and staff once again. COVID-19 deprived everyone of the bright and entertaining event in 2020, but with restrictions slowly lifting, the event is scheduled to take place in April with slight differences because of the pandemic. While being traditionally held on the steps of Lovett Auditorium, the event will take place in the Performing Arts Hall with no audience. Along with no audience, teams will have limited members this year as each organization will have a maximum of one solo, one duet and one trio perform. While this isn’t exactly ideal, Emily Allen, a senior double major in mathematics and spanish and the ACS Chair,

along with other students are ready for the event after having a year off. “Ever since I saw the event take place during my freshman year, I was amazed by all of the planning that happened so the event would be a success,” Allen said. “By that point, I was already a pledged member of SAI and was so excited to have a direct role in the success of the event. I also love how ACS directly helps our surrounding community by raising money and bringing musical instruments to schools in need. It’s a cause that I am so passionate about and I love how SAI is able to make such an impact with one event.” Will Wofford, a senior majoring in engineering graphics and design, participated in ACS in 2019 and said that it was a great way to bond with friends on top of having fun competing. “I was in Sigma Phi Epsilon at the time and not only did it look like fun to compete in a singing competition, but I thought it would also be a good chance to bond and hangout with the brothers of SigEp,” Wofford said. “We had practice twice a week, and never once did I dread ACS rehearsal. We would goof around and have fun, but we were also working

Photo courtesy Will Wofford Sigma Phi Epsilon posed for a picture after being named ACS Grand Champions in 2019.

hard because we wanted to win. I’ll never forget getting up in front of the huge crowd and the production cameras to sing the solo to ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire.’” Allen looks back on winning their division with the Murray State Honors College during freshman year as a fond moment as to why she continues to be a part of ACS. As it is to all of those in the cam-

pus community, ACS is an amazing event that brings joy to all by bringing people together in the name of music. “ACS is extremely special to me,” Allen said. “Every year, it brings so much of the campus together, allowing so many members of so many different organizations to have fun and raise money for a good cause.”

Best of Murray

The News April 2021

BEST NONPROFIT: Murray Calloway County Humane Society

the Humane Society’s Pet Therapy program, where once a month employees take certified therapy animals into the community and University to offer some The Humane Society of Cal- of the joy that the animals can bring. loway County joined the Best of While COVID-19 has put a dampMurray 2021 list as the best non- er on this opportunity, the Humane profit organization in Murray. Society has much more to offer, such Executive Director Kathy Hodge as the Trap-Neuter-Return program, said she was honored to be selected this also known as the Feral Cat Program. “We go out in the community and year and offered some insight on what there will be several wild cats [that] she and her administration does for the have congregated in some place local community. Hodge said that while where somebody’s seen them,” Hodge things have changed since 1975, a lot of said. “We’ll trap them, spay or neuthe practical application and the goals ter them and return them to that loof the organization remain the same. cation so they don’t spray, they don’t “Our overall vision of what we want fight, they don’t do all those negative to do is to enhance the lives of the anthings that people are frustrated with imals in our community,” Hodge said. when they have wild cats around.” “That takes on a lot of different forms.” One of the most recent prominent Many of those forms show up as anservices the Humane Society offers is imals in the local animal shelter, which a microchip identification program. the Humane Society works with closely. While it is only a few years old, Hodge Hodge explained many of the animals said it has made a huge difference. they take in are from the local shelter. “We also do a lot of pet identification Once there, the Humane Society supwork, which is primarily just microchip plies the funding for any veterinariwork,” Hodge said. “When I realized how an work the animals need before they it worked, it was just a no-brainer that’s are cleared for adoption or foster care. something we should be involved in.” Among the Humane Society of CalHodge gave a lot of credit to the loway County’s most prominent roles is students of Murray State for the Huwith the students of Murray State. Many students in the past have benefited from mane Society’s recognition in the Simon Elfrink Sports Editor selfrink@murraystate.edu

2021 “Best of Murray” survey, saying the students’ willingness and outreach makes a massive difference on what she and her administration are able to do. “I think the community as a whole is very welcoming of student interaction,” Hodge said. “We certainly are, from the standpoint of the animals. I really can’t fathom providing even a fraction of the services that we provide to the animals of this community without the Murray State student involvement.” Hodge said a key goal for the Humane Society is to make adoption and care easy not only for the animals involved, but the new caretakers as well.

The Humane Society’s website has a tab geared specifically toward helping individuals interested in pet adoption navigate the database for animals that would fit well with their lifestyle. “It’s an expensive proposition to have a pet,” Hodge said. “There’s a lot more to it than just feeding them, buying them toys, the fun part of it. There are these other things that have to happen, and if you do it right it can be expensive.” Hodge and the Humane Society plan to continue to ensure a comfortable transition for both the animal and the new caretaker without making finances a factor in their decision.

Photos courtesy of Nancy Sidelinger Herring.

The News April 2021

Best of Murray

The News April 2021