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August 26, 2021 | Vol. 96, No. 1

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NEWS

OPINION

SPORTS

FEATURES

Fund set to honor longtime Regent Schooley

Mask mandates serve to protect

Murray State picked to win OVC in the Fall

Professor visits Iceland for study abroad education

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Joey Reynolds/The News Murray State students presently are not required to wear masks while outdoors, only when indoors. The mandate can be revised as county, state conditions change.

Students, faculty mask up to

welcome the fall semester

Dionte Berry News Editor dberry11@murraystate.edu

As COVID-19 cases decreased and vaccines rolled out, masks came off and it almost felt as though the end of the pandemic was in sight.

That optimism was overtaken by virus variants, small vaccination numbers and nationwide case increases.

Upon leaving for summer break, students and faculty thought the Fall 2021 semester might be reminiscent of Fall 2019. However, a surge in COVID-19 cases resulted in a revision of masking guidelines.

Th e CD C dec lared most of the state of Kentucky to be

a h i g h t r a n s m i s s i o n zone. A high transmission zone means that the probability for one to get COVID-19 in this area is high.

Calloway Count y went from being a low transmission zone to a high transmission zone along with most of Kentuc ky.

On July 27, the CDC revised their guidelines, recommending masks for all people no matter their vaccination status in indoor and highly transmissible settings.

Following this announcement, state guidelines were called into question. W ith the beginning of the school year right around the corner, Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order on Aug.

10 mandating masks for K-12 grade schools; however, he has since rescinded it.

“We are in the midst of the fastest surge that we have ever seen during COVID right now. This move is supported by medical organizations, local health department leaders, businesses and education leaders,” Beshear said.

Along with masking, Beshearalso made statements on vaccinations. He said unvaccinated Kentuckians face an even larger risk now that the Delta variant is in Kentucky.

“The Delta variant is the most aggressive, and it looks like it may be the most deadly form of COVID-19 that we have faced,” Beshear said.

see COVID-19, page 3

Japan off limits for fall 2021 travel abroad Mason Galemore Contributing Writer mgalemore@murraystate.edu The Murray State Study Abroad Office announced all travel to Japan will be cancelled during the fall 2021 semester.

The CDC placed restrictions because of the rising COVID-19 cases in Japan.

While entry into Japan has been restricted, other countries such as South Korea, where three Murray State students currently are studying, have seen less restrictions.

Study Abroad Director Melanie McCallon Seib led the effort

for students wanting to study in Japan. Seib said the main reasons these plans were cancelled were to ensure the safety of the students and staff and the many factors that decide whether a student can study abroad during a pandemic.

“Certain universities in Japan were closed or resorted to virtual learning; the CDC also designates pandemic case levels for each country,” Seib said. “For Japan, that number is four, which restricts travel. Countries like Germany and South Korea are safer to visit. The U.S. State Department also denied

Photo by Jayden Hayn Advisor Rebecca Wylie holds a study abroad session.

student visas to the Murray State students who were going to Japan.”

One of the Murray State Study Abroad academic advisors for Japan is Yoko Hatakeyama. Hatakeyama assists students in choosing the right courses to create a positive Study Abroad experience.

see Study Abroad, page 3

News

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August 26, 2021

Fund set to honor longtime regent Schooley Dionte Berry News Editor dberry11@murraystate.edu Murray State’s longest serving Regent, Phil Schooley died at the age of 75 on Sunday, Aug. 15.

Schooley served on the Board of Regents since 2009 and was a cybersecurity and network management advisor and transfer advisor in the School of Engineering.

Much of the campus community learned of his death on Au g. 1 6 a f t e r Pre s i d e n t B o b Jackson announced Schoole y ’s d e a t h v i a s o c i a l m e d i a .

“Our Racer community has a heavy heart today with the news regarding Regent Phil Schooley’s passing. He loved Murray State University and worked hard every day to improve it,” Bob Jackson wrote in an Instagram post.

S c hoole y is sur vived by his wife, Virginia, of 50 years; his son, his sister and two grandchildren, according to his obituary.

Schooley earned a bachelor of science degree in education with an industrial arts major from Murray State and later a master’s degree in teaching from S outheast Missour i

State University, according to his Board of Regents biography.

S c h o o l e y ’s c a r e e r a t M u r ray State began in 2001 while he was already 33 years into his secondary education career, acc o rd i n g t o h i s B o a rd o f R e g e n t s b i o g r a p h y. D u r i n g h i s time at Murray State, Schooley ser ved as the Murray State Staff Congress President from 2008-09 and was the recipient of the 2011 Murray State University Staff Excellence Award.

According to his obitua r y, S c h o o l e y ’s f u n e r a l s e r vice was on Saturday, Aug. 21.

As a dedicated member of the Murray S tate communit y Schooley had a dream to help students get secondar y education. Schooley’s son announced on Facebook a special way those wanting to express their love for his late father can do so.

“If you are wondering what expression of love to show, whether it be flowers or a keepsake, we wanted to offer another option,” Brian Schooley wrote in his post.

“One of my Dad’s dreams was to fund a scholarship to help students get their college degree, so you can donate money to a

File Photo/The News

new scholarship we have created in his and mom’s name.”

The scholarship is called the Phil and Virginia Schooley Endowed Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made at murraystate.edu/givenow. Checks can

also be made out to the Murray S tate Universit y Foundation with the scholarship name on the memo line and can b e d ro p p e d o f f a t t h e O f fi c e of Development at 200 Heritage Hal l, Murr ay, Kentuc ky.

Photo courtesy of Laura Sullivan-Beckers

Left: selfie of Laura Sullivan-Backers with the species of treehopper she discovered. Right: close up of the treehopper.

Professor discovers new insect species

Erinn Finely Contributing Writer efinley1@murraystate.edu

A Murray State assistant professor in the biology department, discovered a new insect while planting with her daughter. Laura Sullivan-Beckers is a behavioral ecologist, who studies the communication and mating behaviors of treehoppers and spiders.

“She was two years old at the time, so when I let her water the soil, she went a little overboard and eventually flooded the flower bed,” Beckers said.

Beckers noticed small insects had floated to the top of the water.

“I did my doctoral research with this group of insects, the treehoppers (Family Membracidae) and I knew that they were plant-living insects and did not live underground,” Beckers said.

After this initial observation, Beckers began a months-long investigation. Beckers dug out the entire flower bed and screened it for treehoppers. She then resampled the soil every day for eight weeks. In the end, she recovered hundreds of treehoppers representing 24 different species.

She recognized many of the species from her previous work. She checked with her doctoral advisor Rex Cocroft about those she did not recognize. He identified almost all of them.

A bright-green, teardrop-shaped bug surprised him. He had seen

treehoppers that looked similar, but only in Central America.

When Cocroft noticed that Beckers Insect was an unusual find in the United States, he recommended that she contact Stu McKamey, an insect specialist with the United States Department of Agriculture.

Beckers mailed McKamey several specimens. Over several months, he ran a detailed comparison of these insects to similar insects found in museums around the world.

McKamey found unique traits in these insects. This species was not yet known to the scientific community.

In 2019 Beckers and McKamey published a paper about this new species. This essay featured the insects’ discovery, its unique traits and its taxonomic relationship to other insects.

Beckers and McKamey also formally named the insect, Hebetica sylviae, after Beckers’ daughter, Sylvie.

Beckers has been searching for live specimens of this insect since her initial discovery in 2016. When she discovered the insects, burrowing wasps were using them to feed their larvae.

James Kindt, a chemistry professor at Emory University, found live insects in Atlanta in the summer of 2020. He mailed three female specimens to Beckers, but she could not learn much from them.

B e c k e r s f o u n d t h e l i ve i nsects in Murray in the

summer of 2021 and is now working toward understanding their biology.

“Naturally, I want to know all about the kinds of signals they use to communicate,” Beckers said. “Do males and females signal? What about the juveniles?

What does treehopper courtship look like? How many times do they mate?”

Beckers said just in the last week, she has made great strides in recording and understanding how they communicate. She said they have a rich suite of vibrational signals that they use to navigate their complex mating lives.

Beckers also needs to discover the basic life information of this new species. She is working to answer questions such as, how long they live, on which host plants they live and where they live.

“Much of this information I will gather on my own, but mapping their distribution would take more time than is realistically possible for one working mother,” Beckers said.

Citizen scientists can help achieve the goal of determining the geographic range of this species. Beckers found the host plant, which is the white Mulberry tree (Morus alba).

This tree is not native to the United States. It was introduced in the 1600s and is now very widespread.

Beckers suspects that the bugs originally lived on the native Mulberr y tree (Morus rubra), but switched over when the white Mulberry was introduced.

Once Beckers discovered the insects on white Mulberry trees, she realized they were actually quite common.

Beckers has reached out to friends and colleagues all across the United States and Canada to ask them to be on the lookout for this new insect.

“My hope is that by educating the public and enough bug-interested people, observations of the treehopper will fill in this gap in our current knowledge,” Beckers said.

So far, this species has been found in Murray, Kentucky and Atlanta, Georgia. Beckers said if readers of the Murray State News have family outside of the immediate area, it would be helpful to share this story with them.

Beckers started a project with iNaturalist, an online database where people can share observations of the natural world. iNaturalist will alert Beckers whenever someone posts a picture of treehoppers. This database also preserves location information on uploaded photos, making it the perfect tool for mapping.

Beckers used a free version of an app called, Picture This, to learn to identify Mulberry trees. All you have to do is take a picture and it will identify a plant for you. Beckers said this app reliably identified different types of Mulberry trees.

If you see a treehopper, you can snap a photo and upload it to https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ hunt-for-new-raindrop-treehopper.

August 26, 2021

COVID-19, from page 1 “If you are unvaccinated, you are at the very greatest risk that you have been at since the start of the pandemic.”

Beshear takes into account the opinions on Kentucky healthcare leaders that have been important figures throughout the pandemic. One figure who has played an important role in spreading COVID-19 and vaccine information in Calloway County is Chief Medical Officer for Murray State Student Health Services Bob Hughes.

“Calloway County’s vaccination rate is not good enough for herd immunity,” Hughes said. “We need to be at around 75 or 85% for these variants.”

Hughes said the variants are the biggest factor of this second surge and should not be taken lightly. Hughes has found multiple variants that are far more contagious than the native COVID-19 while conducting COVID-19 tests.

“The contagiousness of the Delta Variant is eightfold over the native Coronavirus,” Hughes said. “The amount of viral particles in your bloodstream is one millionth fold higher, so the distances become suspect.”

With this extreme level of contagiousness, Hughes said the vaccine is crucial to stopping these variants from spreading and possibly making another variant that could have a higher breakthrough rate for those who are vaccinated.

In explaining the importance of vaccination, Hughes compared the COVID-19 Pandemic to the 1918 F lu Pandemic.

“When the second wave of the virus came during the Pandemic of 1918 it was a much more lethal form,” Hughes said. “I am not saying that will happen with COVID-19, but the longer we let this lay around without getting vaccinated the greater the risk of something like that happening.”

In response to the resurgence of COVID-19 on campus, masking guidelines have been changed. On Aug. 4, Jackson sent an announcement to faculty, staff and students.

“Face masks and coverings will be required indoors, for all individuals, vaccinated and unvaccinated, in all campus locations, including classrooms,” Jackson wrote. “This includes visitors to campus and applies to all Murray State buildings in all locations.”

News The Kentucky Council on Postsecondar y Education made an agreement on masking guidance.

“All of Kentucky’s public colleges and universities will require face coverings to be worn in all campus buildings, by both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals,” the agreement said.

Jackson’s signature was among all other Kentucky public university presidents’.

“Around a month ago, the world, the country and Kentucky looked a lot different than it does today which shows how the Delta Variant has been spreading quickly,” Jackson said. “From commencement in May through June to the early part of July was very good and then the variant quickly changed that.”

The mask mandate on campus is subject to change depending on COVID-19 rates in Calloway County.

“We are now into month 17 of the pandemic so we have relied on the CDC very closely,” Jackson said.

“The CDC has four levels: blue, yellow, orange, and red. Most of Kentucky is red, if we could get down to yellow or blue we can possibly consider changing masking guidelines” The colors on the map represent different levels of COVID-19 transmission. Blue is low, yellow is moderate, orange is substantial and red is high level of transmission.

Calloway County is currently considered a high transmission space by the CDC and is highlighted in red.

Jackson wants Murray to become a low transmission zone as soon as possible and he said he believes that can be done so with masking and vaccines.

“The key to this is vaccinations, which is the best tool and defense we have against this virus,” Jackson said.

“Calloway County is a little under the national vaccination average so we are going to be pushing vaccines very hard.”

When it comes to pinpointing vaccination rates on campus, that can be hard considering a large number of students do not live in Calloway County and would not be a part of the vaccine count.

“We don’t have the exact information nor does any other college or university. There are estimates that we have and we look at what the rate is in Kentucky and our region and what Calloway County is and that is our best information,” Jackson said.

According to the CDC, Calloway County is around 37.10%

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Joey Reynolds/The News Students are able to walk outside unmasked, per President Bob Jackson’s directive.

fully vaccinated. For a space to have herd immunity, the vaccination rate needs to be at a minimum of 70%.

In order to achieve higher vaccine rates, Jackson has plans to push vaccines harder and to provide vaccine options on campus.

Throughout the fall semester, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be available for walk-ins on the first floor of Wells Hall in Primary Care and the first floor of the Curris Center.

“We will be promoting vaccines and educating students, faculty and staff in regards to COVID-19 in any way we can in the days and weeks ahead, that’s how we are going to maintain in-person teaching and student activities,” Jackson said. “Murray State is no different from any other university in the country. We must all work together to beat this disease that we have been battling now for 17 months.”

The Student Government Association has also announced their support for the COVID-19 vaccine. President Ian P uc kett announced on Wednesday, Aug. 18, that he and his administration has the goal to end the fall 2021 semester with an 80% on campus vaccination rate.

“Mask mandates are a first good step, but it should not be the only step we need to encourage vaccination for every student at Murray State University. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, they are effective and they will bring an end to this pandemic,” Puckett said in a speech addressing SGA. P uc kett said 80% was c hosen because it is a high enough vaccination rate for Murray State to achieve herd immunity.

Since there is not an exact vaccination rate confirmed on campus, incentives have been rolled out in order to grasp that number and to motivate students to get vaccinated.

Students, Faculty and Staff received an email on Monday, Aug. 23, describing Murray State’s new vaccination incentivization.

The specific incentives c a n b e s e e n i n t h e “ Va c cine Incentive” graphic below.

More information concerning COVID-19 cases on campus, vaccination clinics on and around campus, vaccination incentive information and overall campus guidelines can be found at murraystate.edu/racerrestart.

VACCINE INCENTIVES Photo by Jayden Hayn Study abroad advisors Steven Gunns and Rebecca Wylie in the Study Abroad office.

Study Abroad, from page 3 She also gives moral support to students, encouraging them to pursue studying abroad.

“I felt very sorry for the students who prepared to study in Japan for a long time,” Hatakeyama said.

“Studying abroad not only improves their linguistic skills, but also helps to deepen their knowledge about Japan while learning Japanese culture first hand.”

Junior international studies major Sophia Nardi was one of the students who planned to study in Japan.

Nardi planned to study under t h e Fu l l Ye a r E xc h a n ge Program at Doshisha Universit y, Kyo t o, J a p a n i n 2 0 2 1 - 2 2 . “ With the University bei n g l o c a t e d i n t h e t r ad i t i onal cit y of Kyoto, I could have learned so much about Japan’s culture and history,” Nardi said. “ The c ampus seemed

Students, Faculty and Staff received an email on Monday, August 23, describing Murray State’s new vaccination incentivization.

Members of the campus community will be to upload a copy of their vaccination card onto Mygate and 100 students and 25 faculty and staff members will have the opportunity to win the following:

beautiful and inviting to students like me who were interested in studying abroad in Japan.”

Nardi plans to use the time she has at Murray State to $200 Blue parking pass continue her studies. Even $200 gift certificate to the University Store though she is disappoint$200 in dining/flex dollars. ed she understands why her p l a n s a b ro ad we re c a n c e l l e d .

“I am disappointed that I was A student groups category is also being offered as unable to go on the trip I spent well to: so much time planning for, but I also understand that saf et y Sororities and health are more important Fraternities in these situations,” Nardi said.

Residential Colleges “I will use this next semester to Student Government Organizations catch up with friends and continue my studies at Murray State Campus Ministries to stay on track to graduate.”

Athletic Teams Nardi said she will be looking for opportunities to study Groups within these categories can win $1,000 for abroad in Japan before she programming if they have the highest vaccination graduates in Spring 2023. rate within their category.

Despite Japan and othThe deadline for vaccination card uploads is on er countries being off limOctober 4. i t s t h i s f a l l s e m e s t e r, t h e r e are still plans to visit these Dionte Berry/The News c o u n t r i e s i n S p r i n g 2 0 2 2 . Source: Murraystate.edu/racerrestart

Opinion

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August 26, 2021

Mask mandates serve to protect The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board Gabe Steffen Opinion Editor gsteffen@murraystate.edu When Gov. Andy Beshear lifted the mask mandates in June, Kentuckians everywhere breathed a sigh of relief.

They could finally return to their everyday lives and stop having to worry about whether or not they’ll get sick from going to work or to the grocery store. The relief did not last very long. Around July of 2021, cases of COVID-19 began spiking all over the U.S. with the arrival of the Delta variant, which is more infectious and more dangerous than other strains.

Because of this, Beshear signed an executive order that mandated masks indoors in K-12 schools, childcare and pre-kindergarten programs on Tuesday, Aug 10. This caused an uproar in many schools across the state. Parents, teachers and students began to protest the mandate, one of which happened outside of Hickman County High School. Multiple students, parents and teachers stood outside of the school and held up signs protesting the new mask mandate. When asked what happened outside of Marshall County High School, students shared that they saw parents and other adults standing outside of the school, yelling at the children to take their masks off as they got off the bus and entered the school. These protests caught the eye of the Kentucky Supreme Court.

On Saturday, Aug 21, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled to restrain Beshear’s emergency powers, limiting his state of emergency to thirty days.

This begs the question, did Beshear do what was right for Kentuckians, and did the Kentucky Supreme Court serve the people or the politics?

We believe Beshear was in the moral right to mandate masks in schools.

First, Beshear has made unpopular decisions for the betterment of the Commonwealth of Kentucky before. Back when the pandemic began, Beshear almost immediately implemented mask mandates and shut the majority of Kentucky down. While this may have been a challenge, this allowed Kentucky to become a leader among other southern states combating COVID-19. This executive order displeased many Kentuckians, but it ended up helping to “flatten the curve” and thus allowed Kentucky to open back up. Because of Beshear, we were able to have a fairly normal summer. Now that school is back in

Editorial Board

Cade Utterback/The News

session, schools have become a petri dish for disease. The mask mandate needed to be extended, as many will agree that children are not very health conscious. If you’ve been in a kindergarten classroom, you’ll know that kids can be gross. They’ll put their mouths on things, sneeze and cough without covering their mouths, share unsanitized toys, and a plethora of other things that make these children susceptible to disease, more specifically the COVID-19 virus. If our kids get this virus, they will then transfer it to their parents and immediate family, who will then transfer it to their co-workers and friends. It’s a never-ending cycle that will keep going unless we do something about it.

Many Kentuckians share the same mindset: since we went through the mandates and lockdown once, we won’t have to do it again. Sadly, this is far from the truth. As much as we all want things to go back to normal, that won’t happen until the majority of adults step up and be responsible for the health of themselves and others. When the pandemic was fresh, Kentuckians praised Beshear for how well he was handling the pandemic.

Now, since he’s tried to implement masks again, he’s seen as the villain in the story. While the Kentucky Supreme Court had every right to rule against Beshear’s mask mandate, many

feel they just did it to rein Beshear in and silence the protests. Since masks are such a contentious issue, it’s no wonder the Kentucky Supreme Court would try to silence Beshear and his policies, but Beshear is only doing what is right for Kentucky. If we want to get through this pandemic, we have to be smart and listen to those whose goal is trying to protect us. This includes the CDC and Gov. Beshear.

By far the hardest question to answer lately is “what can we do to stop the pandemic?”

There are many answers. We could wear masks, get vaccines, go into lockdown again, the list just goes on At the end of the day, we all need to accept that this won’t go away unless we begin to think smarter and as a unit. First, funding more incentives to get vaccines to people would help. While vaccines may be available at Walmart and other pharmacies now, many people are still scared about what the vaccine will do to them. Will it make them sick? If the government simply found a way to get this information out in a more widespread manner instead of just the internet, maybe people would start going to get the vaccines. Also, insead of spreading false information, begin promoting factual information about the vaccines.

No, the vaccines don’t microchip you.

First, you need to understand that the higher the gauge is, the smaller the di-

Dionte Berry Emery Wainscott Gabe Steffen News Editor Features Editor Opinion Editor dberry11@murraystate.edu ewainscott@murraystate.edu gsteffen@murraystate.edu Pam Goodwin Kate Manley Chief Copy Editor Ad Sales Manager

pgoodwin1@murraystate.edu kmanley2@murraystate.edu

Joey Reynolds Jakob Milani

Chief Videographer Sports Editor jreynolds38@murraystate.edu jmilani@murraystate.ediu

The News welcomes commentaries and letters to the editor. Sub-

missions 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 gsteffen@murraystate.edu.

ameter of the needle is. According to PetMD, microchip needles used to microchip pets are approximately 12-15 gauges, which is about the size of an ink cartridge in your average ballpoint pen.

Needles used for vaccinations, however, are only about 25 gauges, the size of a small cross stitch needle. Microchips are also the size of a large grain of rice.

If you were getting microchipped, you would know. No, vaccines themselves don’t give you COVID. According to the CDC, the vaccines themselves don’t use a live strain of the virus.

They instead use mRNA, which gives our cells a harmless piece of the virus, called a “spike protein” which allows our immune system to make antibodies against the virus. This allows our bodies to safely handle the virus if we do get it. Mandating vaccines, while not possible by the federal government, is able to be done by corporations. Some corporations that have implemented mandatory vaccinations include Google, Microsoft and Walmart. This is not just for the safety of the employees, but for the safety of customers. Wearing masks also lessens the spread of the virus. I know they may be a hindrance, but wearing your mask inside for a few hours will not hurt you. While there may be no right first step, there are ways to get us going on the right path.

All we need to do is be smart, be kind, wear our masks and get vaccinated.

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2609 University Station Sam Stewart Murray State University Photo Editor

sstewart26@murraystate.edu Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 TheNews.org

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cterracinahartman@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.

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 an independent weekly student-run newspaper published at Murray State. The content does not reflect the opinions of the Murray State journalism and mass communication department.

August 26, 2021

Sports

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Photo courtesy of Dave Winder, Racer Athletics Sophomore defensive back Marcis Floyd, #24, was named to the OVC Preseason All-Conference team and also was selected to the Stats preseason Buchanan Watch List.

Murray State picked to win OVC in the fall Racer Football starts 2021 fall season on top Jakob Milani Sports Editor jmilani@murraystate.edu With school back in session for the fall semester, football season is just around the corner for the Racers. After a strong preseason full of conference recognition and player awards, the Racers find themselves with a lot to prove in the Fall 2021 season.

Following their surprising 5-2 finish to the Spring 2021 season, the Racers began the offseason with the extension of Head Coach Dean Hood and his coaching staff. The assistant coaches’ contracts were extended through December of 2022, while Hood, who received the OVC Coach of the Year award after the spring season, received a contract extension through 2024.

The Racers continued their impressive offseason with 10 players named to the OVC Preseason

All-Conference Team. Five offensive players were voted to the preseason team including junior quarterback Preston Rice, sophomore receiver Jacob Bell, junior receiver LaMartez Brooks, junior lineman Levi Nesler and senior lineman Jacob Vance. Graduate receiver Malik Honeycutt also received preseason All-Conference honors as a punt returner.

Defensively, the Racers had four players named to the Preseason All-Conference Team: junior defensive end Ethan Edmondson, junior outside linebacker Scotty Humpich, junior inside linebacker Eric Samuta and sophomore defensive back Marcis Floyd. This was not Floyd’s only award of the offseason, though, as he was also named to the Stats Perform Preseason All-AmericaThird Team, as well as the Stats Perform Buck Buchanan Watch List for 2021.

As a team, the Racers kept all 22 of their starters from the

Spring 2021 season and were picked to win the OVC in the Fall 2021 season. Murray State was also ranked 22nd in the HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top 25.

The first full football season for the Racers in nearly two years kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 2nd when Murray State takes on the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils in Roy Stewart Stadium at 7 p.m.

The Racers travel to battle against the University of Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday, Sept 11th.

The Racers finish up non-conference play at Bowling Green State University where they take on the Falcons on Saturday, Sept. 18th.

The Racers begin conference play on Saturday, Oct. 2nd, when they play against the Eastern Illinois University Panthers at home.

They then travel to take on the UT Martin Skyhawks on Saturday, Oct. 9th. Murray State stays on the road the following week to take on the Southeast Missouri

State Redhawks on Saturday, Oct. 16th. Homecoming night plays host to the annual rivalry game between the Racers and the Austin Peay State University Governors on Saturday, October 23rd.

The second half of conference play for Murray State begins on Saturday, Oct. 30th against the Tennessee State Tigers. The Racers then play their final two home games of the season, first against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles on Saturday, Nov. 6th, then against SEMO on Saturday, Nov. 13th. The Racers finish their season at Eastern Illinois where they take on the Panthers one last time.

As the Racers begin their 97th season, they look to bring home the University’s ninth OVC title and first under Hood. With the team picked to win the conference and ranked 22nd in the FCS rankings, Murray State looks to be ready to make some noise in the 2021 season.

Pam Goodwin/The News

Soccer starts season with back-to-back wins Rachel Essner Staff Writer ressner1@murraystate.edu The Murray State soccer team doubled their winning streak against Louisiana Tech University on Sunday, August 22, at Cutchin Field.

The Racers (2-0) defeated the Techsters (1-1) 3-2 with two goals from redshirt senior midfielder Symone Cooper and one from junior midfielder Lauren Payne. Junior goalkeeper Jenna Villacres tallied four saves.

LA Tech’s sophomore forward Emma Jones put the Techsters on the board first with a goal in the 16th minute. The Techsters doubled their score in the 36th minute with a goal from sophomore forward Maci

Geltmeier, making the score 2-0.

The Racers fought back at the end of the first half, with Payne scoring a penalty kick after an LA Tech foul inside the penalty area in the 39th minute, ending the half with the Racers trailing 2-1.

The Racers carried their momentum over to the second half with a Cooper goal assisted by freshman defender Morgan Bodker.

They tied the score at 2-2 in the fourth minute of the second half.

Murray State took the lead in the 23rd minute with another goal from Cooper on a deflected corner kick, giving the Racers a 3-2 advantage that would last until the end.

The Racers ended the match with 18 total shots, 12 of those on goal. LA Tech finished with six of 14 shots on goal. Murray State

Photo courtesy of Racer Athletics Senior middle-fielder Symone Cooper scored two goals to lead the Racers to their second win.

improved its record to 2-0 overall.

“We created some opportunities but were unfortunate,” Head Coach Matt Lodge said. “Credit to Louisiana Tech, they were a tough oppo-

nent, and they came in here ready to scrap and put us on our back foot.”

Murray State will head to Cincinnati, Ohio, to take on Xavier University at noon on Sunday, Aug. 29.

Sports

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August 26, 2021

Golf teams look to improve record Jakob Milani Sports Editor jmilani@murraystate.edu Andrea Jameson Contributing Writer ajameson1@murraystate.edu

Men’s Golf The Murray State men’s golf team had a very productive offseason leading up to the 2021-22 season. After former Head Coach Eddie Hunt stepped down following 20 years of coaching and a 9th place team finish in the OVC Championship, the Racers were forced to look for new leadership.

In order to fill their vacant position, the Racers hired Daniel DeLuca, a Lexington, Kentucky native who served as an assistant coach for men’s golf at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 2019-21. He also was an assistant coach for Stephen F. Austin University from 2017-19. DeLuca is the third Head coach in Murray State’s 61 year history.

Senior Quinn Easton added to the Racers big offseason when he was selected to be the OVC’s representative to the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Easton served as Murray States’ representative for the OVC SAAC last year and was selected for the national OVC position by all other OVC members.

Over the summer, the Racers were invited to participate in the 85th Irvin Cobb Championship in Paducah, Kentucky. Four current Racers placed top 20, with Easton and freshman Kamaren Cunnigham both carding a 3-under 68, tying for 3rd. The other two Racers to place were sophomore Tyler Powell with a ninth place

score of 74 and sophomore Tyler Abernathy with an 18th place score of 84.

The Racers start the fall season at the Eatern Kentucky University Classic on Friday,Sept. 3. They will then playin the Derek Dolenc Invitational against SIUE on Sept. 27. After that, the Racers will take part in the Skyhawk Invitational against UT Martin on Oct. 4.

The Racers travel to play in the Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate against Arkansas State on Oct. 11. The Racers finish off their fall schedule at the TVA Credit Union Invitational against North Alabama on Oct. 18.

To kick off the spring season, the Racers travel to UNC Greensboro to play in the UNCG Invitational on Feb. 13. They then play in the Gulf Coast Collegiate against Nichols State on Feb. 27. Following that match is the Bobby Nichols Collegiate against Tennessee Tech on March 13.

The Racers then play Nichols State as a part of the LA Tour Intercollegiate on March 27. The Racers will then play against Morehead State in the Carpenter and Chaney Match Play on April 4.

They finish off the regular season at Tennessee State when they play in the TSU Big Blue Intercollegiate on April 11.

Women’s Golf The Murray State girls golf team played in just six regular season matches last season, with their best finish being first place in their final match of the season, the Jan Weaver Invitational at Murray State. The Racers finished fourth out of eight teams in the OVC tournament last season, just missing the cut for the NCAA tournament. This season, the Racers look to bounce back and advance to the NCAA tournament in the spring.

Dave Winder/Racer Athletics Senior Quinn Easton was selected to represent the OVC in the NCAA SAAC.

The Racers start their season against Missouri State in the Payne Stewart Memorial on Sept.. 13. They then travel to play in the Austin Peay Intercollegiate on Sept. 27. The Racers follow that match up with a trip to the Chris Banister Classic to play against Jacksonville State on Oct. 10. The Racers play in the Ozarks National Invitational hosted by Missouri State on Monday, Oct. 18 to wrap up their fall season.

In the spring, the Racers start at the South Alabama Invitational against Little Rock on Feb. 21, then will play Butler in the Benbow Collegiate on March 7. After a week off, the Racers take on

University of Alabama at Birmingham in the Bama Beach Bash on March 20.

The Racers then take on University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in the Chattanooga Classic on March 27.They end the regular season at home when they play in the Jen Weaver Invitational on April 9.

Both the men’s and women’s golf teams look to have better seasons from last year, with the boys roster looking stronger than last season and the girls roster already proving they can compete with their 4th place finish last season. With their seasons kicking off in the coming weeks, time will tell just how well the golf teams will perform in the 2021-22 season.

Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) 103 Wells Hall  Murray,103 KYWells 42071Hall  Murray, KY 42071 270.809.3155  270.809.6887 fax  270.809.3361 TDD fax  270.809.3361 TDD 270.809.3155  270.809.6887 www.murraystate.edu/idea www.murraystate.edu/idea

Murray State University Non-Discrimination Statement

Murray State University Non-Discrimination Statement Murray State University Non-Discrimination Statement

Murray State University endorses the intent of all federal and state laws created to prohibit

niversity endorses the intent of allendorses federal laws created toand prohibit State does notState University does not Murray State University thestate intent of does all federal statediscrimination. laws created toMurray prohibit discrimination.

Murray discrimination.

Murray State and University not discriminate on the basis of University race, color, national the basis of race, origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age,orientation, veteran or disability discriminate onnational the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, genderage, identity, sexual age, veteran origin, sex,color, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status,status, orreligion, disability ininem-status, or disability in application for employment, admissions, or the provision of services andprovision provides,ofupon request, accommodation employment or application for employment, admissions, or the services and reasonable provides, upon request, reasonable accommodation ployment orauxiliary application for employment, admissions, thedisabilities provision of services and provides, ary aids and services necessary afford individuals with to disabilities equal or access to participate in all programs and activities. including aids to and services necessary afford individuals with equal access to participate in all programs and activities.

upon request, reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford individuals with disabilities equal access to participate in all programs and activities.

d without limiting the preceding andlimiting pursuant and consistent with thetorequirements of with Title the VI of the Civil Rights Act VI of 1964 In particular and without the to preceding and pursuant and consistent requirements of Title of theand CivilitsRights Act of 1964 and its CFR 100 et seq.; Section 504 100 of the Act of 1973 and its regulations Title IX of the Education regulations 34 CFR et Rehabilitation seq.; Section 504 the Rehabilitation Act of 34 1973 and104; its regulations 34 CFR 104; Title IX of the Education In particular and without limiting theseq., preceding and pursuant toCFR and consistent with the requireSenior Libero34Becca of 1972, 20 USC 1681 etofseq., and regulations CFR seq; and the Age Discrimination 1975 and its regulations Amendments 1972, 20itsUSC 1681 et 34 and106 its et regulations 34 CFR 106 et seq; andAct theofAge Discrimination Act of 34 1975 and its regulations ments Title VInotof theUniversity Civil Rights Actdiscriminate 1964 and regulations 34national CFR 100 seq.; Section ay State University does discriminate on does the basis ofofrace, color, origin, sex,color, handicap, or age inet its educational programs CFRof 110, Murray State not onnational theits basis of race, origin, sex, handicap, or age in its educational programs This non-discrimination inThis education programs and activities to and employment and admissions and to recruitment, financial activities. non-discrimination in education programs activities extends toTitle employment and Education admissions andaid, to recruitment, financial aid, 504and of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and itsextends regulations 34 CFR 104; IX of the rams,Amendments student services, athletics, and Murray State is housing. required byregulations Title State IX andis34 CFR part 106 toseq; discriminate on thenot to discriminate on the academic programs, student services, athletics, and Murray required

by Title IXet and 34 CFR 106 of 1972, 20housing.

USC 1681 et seq., and its 34 CFR 106not andpart the d the prohibition sex specifically includes a prohibition of sexual harassment and Examples of violence. Examples of basis ofagainst sex and thediscrimination prohibition against sex discrimination specifically includes a prohibition ofsexual sexualviolence. harassment and sexual Ageprohibited Discrimination Act of andin violence its 34 in CFR 110, Murray State does not al harassment and sexual can1975 be found the regulations “Policy Sexual Harassment” which can University be accessed via the can link be accessed via the link sexualviolence harassment and sexual canProhibiting be found the “Policy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment” which ppendix I.referenced in discriminate onAppendix the basis I. of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its educational

Photo courtesy of Racer Athletics Fernandez is set to lead the Racers in the 2021 season.

Volleyball picked 7th in OVC

programs and activities. This non-discrimination in education programs and activities extends

Rachel Essner Staff Writer ressner1@murraystate.edu

employment and admissions andEducation; to recruitment, financial aid,Agriculture; academic programs, student able to include: Accounting; Advertising; Agricultural Agriculture; Animal Technology; Applied Engineering and Technology Programs available include: Accounting; Advertising; Agricultural Education; Animal Technology; Applied Engineering and Technology services, athletics, and housing.

Murray State is required byCivil Title IXSustainability and 34 CFR part not Art; Biology; Business Administration; Career and Technical Education; Chemistry; and Engineering; Civil Management; Art; Biology; Business Administration; Career and Technical Education; Chemistry; Civil and106 Sustainability Engineering; Civil chnology; Clinical Psychology; Communication Disorders; Computer Information Systems; Computer Science; Construction Engineering Technology; Clinical Psychology; Communication Disorders; Computer Information Systems; Computer Science; Construction to discriminate on the basis of sex and the prohibition against sex discrimination specifically nd Architecture; Counseling; Creative Writing; CriminalCreative Justice;Writing; Cybersecurity and Network Management; Engineering Management and Architecture; Counseling; Criminal Justice; Cybersecurity andDesign Network Management; Design Engineering includes a prohibition of sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Examples of prohibited sexual arth and Environmental Sciences; Economic Development; Economics; Education Administration; Electromechanical Engineering Technology; Earth and Environmental Sciences; Economic Development; Economics; Education Administration; Electromechanical Engineering harassment sexualPhysics; violence canEnglish be found inEnglish; the Harassment” ementary Education; and Engineering English; Pedagogy and“Policy Technology; Engineering Management; Exercise Science; Technology; Elementary Education; Engineering Physics; EnglishProhibiting Pedagogy andSexual Technology; Engineering Management; Exercise Science; h; General Experimental Psychology; General Studies; German; Graphic Communications Media; Communications Health and Physical Education; Finance; French; General Experimental Psychology; General Studies; German; Graphic Media; Health and Physical Education; which can be accessed via the link referenced in Appendix I. n Development andHuman Leadership; Industrial Technology; Information Systems; Integrated Studies; Interdisciplinary Early Childhood History; Development and Leadership; Industrial Technology; Information Systems; Integrated Studies; Interdisciplinary Early Childhood rnational Studies; Japanese; Journalism; andJournalism; Behavior Disorders; Liberal Arts; Library Media; Logistics Supply Chain Education; International Studies;Learning Japanese; LearningAgricultural and Behavior Disorders; Liberal Arts; and Library Media; Logistics and Supply Chain Programs available include: Accounting; Advertising; Education; Agriculture; Animal Management; Manufacturing Engineering Technology;Engineering Marketing; Mass Communications; Middle School Education;Middle School Education; Management; Management; Manufacturing Technology; Marketing; Mathematics; Mass Communications; Mathematics; Technology; Applied Engineering and Technology Management; Art; Biology; Business Adminusiness; Music Nonprofit Leadership Studies; Nursing; Nutrition and Dietetics; andOccupational Health; Music;Education; Music Business; Music Education; Nonprofit Leadership Studies; Nursing;Occupational Nutrition andSafety Dietetics; Safety and Health; istration; Career and Technical Chemistry; Civil and Sustainability Engineering; Civil herapy; Organizational Communication; P-20 Education; and Community Leadership; Political Science; Postsecondary Education Occupational Therapy; Organizational Communication; P-20 and Physics; Community Leadership; Physics; Political Science; Postsecondary Education Psychology; Public Administration; Public and Community Health; Public Relations; Reading and Writing; School Counseling; Social Administration; Psychology; Public Administration; Public and Community Health; Public Relations; Reading and Writing; Engineering Technology; Clinical Psychology; Communication Disorders; Computer Information School Counseling; Social y; Spanish; Special Education; Speech-Language Pathology; SustainabilityPathology; Science; Teacher Education and Professional Work; Sociology; Spanish; Special Education; Speech-Language Sustainability Science; Teacher Education and Professional Systems; Computer Science; Construction Management and Architecture; Counseling; CreTeaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; Teacher Leader; Television Production; Theatre; Wildlife and Conservation Development; Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; Teacher Leader; Television Production; Theatre; Wildlife and Conservation ativeBiology.

Writing; Criminal Justice; Cybersecurity and Network Management; Design Engineering

After five months of preparation, the Murray State volleyball team will hit the court once again, returning 10 players from last season and gaining four new players.

Technology; Earth and Environmental Sciences; Economic Development; Economics; Education Administration; Electromechanical Engineering Technology; Elementary Education; Engineering Two of the returning players, senior ria include, but are not limited to the but following: undergraduates: for unconditional admission, an accreditedadmission, high schoolan diploma or high school diploma or Admission criteria include, are notFor limited to the following: ForEngineering undergraduates: for unconditional accredited Physics; English; English Pedagogy and Technology; Management; Exercise Scimum of 18/SAT minimum of 960, high school classof rank minimum of upper 3.0 GPA;ofand a pre-college GED, ACT minimum of 18/SAT minimum 960, high school classhalf rankorminimum upper half or 3.0curriculum.

GPA; and aFor pre-college curriculum.

For libero Becca Fernandez and sophoence; Finance; French; General Experimental Psychology; General Studies; German; Graphic nimum cumulative of a 2.00cumulative on a 4.00 GPA scale.ofFor graduate students: a baccalaureate degree from an transfers:GPA a minimum a 2.00 on a 4.00 scale.unconditional For graduateadmission, students: unconditional admission, a baccalaureate degree from an Communications Media; Health and Physical Education; History; Human Development and tution to be admitted.institution A minimum cumulative of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale, a minimum combined GRE score defined

by GRE score defined by accredited to be admitted.GPA A minimum cumulative GPA and of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale, and a minimum combined more outside hitter Jayla Holcombe, ternational undergraduate students must meet oneInformation of the following criteria English criteria Language proficiency requirements: department.

International undergraduate students must Systems; meet onetoofsuffice the following to suffice English Language proficiency requirements: Leadership; Industrial Technology; Integrated Studies; Interdisciplinary core of 6.0 (5.5 for full admission with condition), TOEFL overall score of 71 (61 foroverall full admission condition), SAT score of condition), 960, IELTS overall score of 6.0 (5.5 for full admission with condition), TOEFL score of with 71Learning (61 for full admission with SAT score of 960, Early Childhood Education; International Studies; Japanese; Journalism; and Behavior were named to the Preseason All-OVC core of 1190 (1100 for full admission condition), PTE overall of 51 (45 full admission condition) , Duolingowith English GTEC overall score of 1190with (1100 for full admission withscore condition), PTEforoverall score of with 51 (45 for full admission condition) , Duolingo English Disorders; Liberal Arts; Library Media; Logistics and Supply Chain Management; Management; ore of 100Test or higher (90 for full with(90 condition), TOEIC overall score of 790 or higher with 160ofor790 higher speaking 700 or with overall score of admission 100 or higher for full admission with condition), TOEIC overall score or higher with( 160 higher speaking ( 700 with Fernandez’s third time and Holpeaking for fulloradmission with condition), Kaplan English Certificate Advanced Level (Higher Advanced Intermediate Level for fullIntermediate admission 140 higher speaking for full admission with condition), Kaplan English Certificate Level (Higher for full admission Manufacturing Engineering Technology; Marketing; Mass Communications; Mathematics; Middle Levelteam, Admission to or Completion of the ESL at Murray University, OR Degree from a secondary schoolStudies; located in Nursa country with condition), Admission to Music orProgram Completion of the State ESL Program at Murray State University, OR Degree from a secondary school located in a country School Education; Music; Business; Music Education; Nonprofit Leadership combe’s first. Both were named to the s the native language* British / Cambridge Examinations: GCE, GCSE, IGCSE, AICE, HIGCSE with five where EnglishOR is the native language*International OR British / Cambridge International Examinations: GCE, GCSE, certificate IGCSE, AICE, HIGCSE certificate with five ing;O-Level Nutrition andpasses, Occupational Safety and Health; Occupational Therapy; Organizat passes, or a levelsubject of B-2 orDietetics; higheroron Cambridge English Completion of one semester of full-time university level a the level of B-2 or higher onexam; the Cambridge English exam; Completion of one semester ofclasses full-time university level classes first-team All-OVC at the end of the 2 credit hours) with aof 2.5 orhours) higher at and ana accredited institution, OR students thePolitical following countries not requiredcountries to tional Communication; P-20 Leadership; Physics; Science; Postsecond(minimum 12GPA credit with 2.5Community GPA orUS higher at an accredited USfrom institution, OR students fromare the following are not required to proficiency scores: Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, British Islands, Cameroon (University of Cameroon Buea University English proficiency scores: Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, British Islands, (Universityofof Buea and University of ary submit Education Administration; Psychology; Public Administration; Public andand Community Health; 2020 season with Fernandez also benada, Ghana, Ireland,Canada, Kenya, Namibia, New Zealand, theZealand, United Kingdom.

International may have Bamenda), Ghana, Ireland, Kenya,Nigeria, Namibia,and Nigeria, and the Unitedgraduate Kingdom.programs International Public Relations; Reading and Writing; SchoolNew Counseling; Social Work; Sociology; Spanish; graduate programs may have on requirements. higher admission requirements. ing named the Defensive Player of the Special Education; Speech-Language Pathology; Sustainability Science; Teacher Education and mationProfessional concerning application of theseTeaching provisions may be referred to: 1) themay Executive Director ofthe Institutional Diversity, Equity, For morethe information concerning the application of these referred to: 1) Executive Director of Institutional Diversity, Equity, Development; English to provisions Speakers ofbeOther Languages; Teacher Leader; Year. The team as a whole is predicted urrayTelevision State University Title IX Coordinator, Murray University, 103 Wells Hall, Murray, KY (270) 809-3155 and Access/ Murray State University TitleState IX Coordinator, Murray State University, 10342071 WellsTelephone: Hall, Murray, KY 42071 Telephone: (270) 809-3155 Production; Theatre; Wildlife and Conservation Biology.

6887; TDD: (270) 809-3361; Email: Fax: (270) 809-6887; TDD:msu.titleix@murraystate.edu.

(270) 809-3361; Email: msu.titleix@murraystate.edu. to finish seventh overall in the upcomAdmission criteria include, but are not limited to the following: For undergraduates: for uncondiing season after finishing the previtional admission, an accredited high school diploma or GED, ACT minimum of 18/SAT minimum of 960, high school class rank minimum of upper half or 3.0 GPA; and a pre-college curriculum. ous season with a 5-11 overall record.

For transfers: a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.00 on a 4.00 scale. For graduate students: The Racers will begin the 2021 seaunconditional admission, a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution to be admitted. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale, and a minimum combined GRE score defined son by traveling to Macon, Georgia, for by department. International undergraduate students must meet one of the following criteria to suffice English Language proficiency requirements: IELTS overall score of 6.0 (5.5 for full admisthe Mercer Bear Classic on Aug. 27-28, sion with condition), TOEFL overall score of 71 (61 for full admission with condition), SAT score www.murraystate.edu www.murraystate.edu where they will face the University of of 960, GTEC overall score of 1190 (1100 for full admission with condition), PTE overall score Murray State University is an equalState education and employment opportunity M/F/D, AA employer Murray University is an equal education and employment opportunity M/F/D, AA employer of 51 (45 for full admission with condition) , Duolingo English Test overall score of 100 or higher New Hampshire, Stetson University (90 for full admission with condition), TOEIC overall score of 790 or higher with 160 or higher and Mercer University. The following speaking ( 700 with 140 or higher speaking for full admission with condition), Kaplan English Certificate Advanced Level (Higher Intermediate Level for full admission with condition), Admission weekend, the Racers will travel to Saint to or Completion of the ESL Program at Murray State University, OR Degree from a secondary Louis, Missouri to participate in the school located in a country where English is the native language* OR British / Cambridge International Examinations: GCE, GCSE, IGCSE, AICE, HIGCSE certificate with five O-Level subject Billiken Invitational in which they will passes, or a level of B-2 or higher on the Cambridge English exam; Completion of one semester compete against University of Arkansas of full-time university level classes (minimum of 12 credit hours) with a 2.5 GPA or higher at an accredited US institution, OR students from the following countries are not required to submit at Pine Bluff, Arkansas State University English proficiency scores: Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, British Islands, Cameroon (University of Buea and University of Bamenda), Canada, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Namibia, New and Saint Louis University on Sept. 3-4.

Zealand, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom. International graduate programs may have higher The Racers continue on the road to admission requirements.

Statesboro, Georgia, on Sept. 10-11 For more information concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: 1) the Executive Director of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Access/ Murray State University Title IX to compete in the Eagle Invitational Coordinator, Murray State University, 103 Wells Hall, Murray, KY 42071 Telephone: (270) 809against Florida International Univer3155 Fax: (270) 809-6887; TDD: (270) 809-3361; Email: msu.titleix@murraystate.edu. sity and Georgia Southern University.

7/2016

7/2016

The next stop on the road is Evansville, Indiana, on Sept. 17-18 in the Dunn Hospitality Tournament against Cleveland State University, Liberty University and the University of Evansville.

Murray State will finally hit home court for a two-game series against Eastern Illinois University on Sept. 24-25 for their first conference match. The following weekend, the Racers will travel to Morehead State University for a two-game series against the Eagles on Oct. 1-2.

The Racers will go to the University of Tennessee-Martin for their next twogame conference series on Oct. 8-9 with a four-day turnaround to play at Austin Peay State University on Oct. 13.

The Racers will return home for two weekends in a row, playing Tennessee Tech University on Oct. 15-16 and Tennessee State University on Oct. 21-22. The following weekend the Racers will travel to Belmont University to take on the Bruins on Oct. 29-30.

Murray State will take on Southeast Missouri State University for a two-game series and Austin Peay for a weeknight game at Racer Arena on Nov. 5-6 and 10, respectively.

Rounding up the season, the Racers will travel to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to compete against the Cougars for their final two-game series of the season on Nov. 12-13.

The Racers look to finish above their projected seventh overall-rank in hopes of grabbing a top four spot to advance to the OVC tournament.

August 26, 2021

Features

7

Photo courtesy of Marcie Hinton

Marcie Hinton, associate professor, visits Iceland for an internship with Total Travel Services.

Professor visits Iceland for study abroad education Erinn Finley Contributing Writer efinley1@murraystate.edu Associate Professor of public relations Marcie Hinton traveled to Iceland in June as part of an internship.

Hinton was offered the trip through the travel agency Total Travel Services. Hinton said this trip was used as a training experience for her plans to organize more education abroad courses and manage commercial tours in the future.

“I am also always on the prowl for good research topics,” Hinton said. “Public relations and tourism as well as travel writing are big areas of interest for me.”

When Hinton met with the Total Travel Services agents in March, the agents had just planned a trip to Iceland. Mary Lou Boals, owner and operator of the agency, offered to allow Hinton to shadow her on the trip.

“The Murray State Education Abroad Staff has been so flexible, so adaptable, so helpful with building programs, having to tear them down and then build them again, that I have been inspired by their leadership and abilities, so I thought I should step it up with this internship,” Hinton said.

The trip started June 1, which was the first day Iceland allowed tourists into the country.

Everyone who signed up for the trip had to be fully vaccinated. Iceland has a low infection rate, so it was important for travelers to be vaccinated in order to protect Iceland citizens.

Hinton said Iceland is also one of the first countries to welcome American tourists again, so it seemed respectful to her to have the COVID-19 vaccine even without the airline’s rules.

Hinton said a tour operator in Iceland was essential in helping to plan the trip and navigate any issues caused

by COVID-19. Once they arrived in Iceland, the tour operator provided a link in English for the travelers to register for a COVID-19 test. Once it was filled out, the travelers each received a barcode on their phones.

Upon arrival at the airport they showed the barcode to the workers, who then printed it off and placed it on a vial. The travelers took these vials to a tent in a parking lot with at least ten stations where a volunteer swabbed each traveler’s mouth and nose.

The group of travelers had to wear masks until they reached their hotel room where they quarantined until they received a negative test result.

Hinton said it took approximately four to five hours before she got a text informing her she tested negative.

The day before their plane left Ice-

land, they repeated the process. Hinton said the Iceland airport employees were efficient and nice. The process took less than 30 minutes each time.

“I think it helped that we were some of the very first tourists in Iceland in more than a year,” Hinton said.

Hinton said she loves to take students on study abroad trips. Over the past year, Hinton has planned to go abroad multiple times, but COVID-19 altered her plans.

Hinton planned to take 16 students to France for a food and travel writing class during the summer of 2020.

Because of COVID-19, she ended up teaching the class online and not traveling to France. This particular class was postponed until summer 2023.

Hinton also planned to teach a class in London during the 2020-21 winter term. This class was postponed to spring break and then later canceled.

Studying abroad is often considered important to help round out a student’s education. Hinton said a global education does not only teach about a subject, but it also teaches you about yourself.

“Students who study abroad develop a whole different idea of themselves, of home, of others,” Hinton said.

Studying abroad provides a new perspective with regard to diversity and relationship building. Hinton said these traits are important as a public relations specialist.

“Mutually beneficial relationships means you need to have experience with people, social awareness, respect and empathy, which is why study abroad is crucial to a well-rounded education in any major,” Hinton said.

“Especially in public relations, in my opinion, or in any profession or education experience where you concern yourself with an audience or public.”

Hinton said the only thing she regrets about her college years is not studying abroad and she’s heard the same from others as well. She said college is the only opportunity to travel with friends; gain an indepth, life-changing experience; earn a college credit and gain a boost to your resume. Hinton said the Murray State Education Abroad Office is diligent in making every dollar count, while being respectful to the socio-economic situations of students. This includes scholarships for students who wish to study abroad.

There are a number of scholarships available to students who wish to study abroad. Some have specifications a student must meet while others only require an application. Even if a student does not qualify for any of Murray State’s scholarships, they can still apply for education abroad scholarships. The application process and re-

Photo courtesy of Marcie Hinton Hinton and her mom view art on the side of a building during Hinton’s summer internship.

quirements for study abroad scholarships are completely different from the general university scholarship process.

Federal financial aid and some grants students already receive during the regular semester can be applied to study abroad trips.

Hinton said she thinks it is exciting for professors to watch their students build confidence and learn so much outside of the classroom. She said you can see the changes in the students when they return to campus. Professors can see students build confidence through trying new foods, speaking to professionals in their area of study and navigating new situations.

“It is truly an education of the whole person, which I think many college professors enjoy experiencing and influencing,” Hinton said.

Below is an excerpt from Hinton’s daily blog posts, which can be found on postcardsfromthebrink.com.

“June 1: We followed the horizon to Iceland—or so it seemed! We were tethered to a thin peach-colored line

like a kite over Canada to Greenland.

Oh Greenland! Such a fascinating and daunting landscape. Sunlight danced along snow-capped crags, which gave way to an icy ocean. How will Iceland ever be the promised 50 degrees! But it was. It was pleasant waiting in line for our covid test and then again stepping off our bus and traipsing through the city to our hotel where we must quarantine until our negative test comes back. No view from our tiny room. We ate yogurt and napped (the big no-no, but we figured we were old enough to warrant the nap and a decent bedtime). Still waiting for the text from the Iceland government, so we can get out and walk the old city!”

The Study Abroad Fair will be on Sept. 13 to 17 and in-person on Sept. 16. The first Education Abroad Scholarship Workshops will be on Sept. 1 and 2 from 4-4:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Education Abroad page on Murray State’s website, murraystate.edu/educationabroad.

8

Features

August 26, 2021

Alum hired on Grey’s Anatomy as writer’s PA Emery Wainscott Features Editor ewainscott@murraystate.edu A Murray State graduate was hired on the production crew for the television series “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Krista Vernoff, the showrunner for “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Station 19,” approached Jordyn Rowland with an opportunity to work as a writers’ production assistant.

Rowland said per her contract, she is not able to answer questions about job specifics, but she can share how the opportunity presented itself and what steps she’s taken to get here.

“Krista is one of the biggest names in TV right now, and out of all the people, she picked me,” Rowland said. “It’s for sure a ‘pinch me’ moment.”

Rowland graduated in 2019 with a bachelor of science in public relations. She founded the Murray State chapter of Her Campus, an online media publication for college women, and was also a member of the TV club.

“This is just a little fun fact, but in one of Dr. Anderson’s classes, we had to start a blog and that’s where this all started, I think,” Rowland said. “I wrote an episode review of “Grey’s” just for fun and it snowballed into me working on the show. Krista used to read them every week, so I know that’s how she found me.”

“Grey’s Anatomy” has been running since 2005, making it the longest-running medical drama on television.

The show has won numerous awards, including two Golden Globes and five Emmy awards.

The upcoming season is due

Photo courtesy of Jordyn Rowland Murray State alum Jordyn Rowland stands on set of Grey’s Anatomy where she was hired onto the production crew.

to premiere on Sept. 30. Two cast members, Kate Burton and Peter Gallagher, have been announced to return in season 18. Rowland said filming has been going on for about two weeks, so she’s in the office daily.

“It just depends on what’s going on,” Rowland said. Also, with L.A. opening back up, I’m not totally sure what the season will look like once filming starts back up… I’m sure things will change 35 times before we really get a groove going.”

Rowland said she has not worked in TV before as a paid employee, only as a volunteer. Before her role as writers’ PA, she worked in fashion for two years.

Rowland said building genuine

relationships and using social media to her advantage was key in getting to where she is now.

“It is such a hustle at first — working a day job you probably don’t love or is in a totally unrelated field,” Rowland said. “You just kind of have to grin and bear it and be thankful you can pay your rent on time. I had great bosses who knew what I wanted to do, so they were totally supportive when this all happened, and it happened super fast.”

Rowland said her experience at Murray State allowed for her to build her own program and have freedom with her education.

“I’d write little short films instead of a newscast in some of my JMC classes, I’d write pilot episodes in

English classes instead of short stories... things like that,” Rowland said. “Everyone really went out of their way to help me create something that worked and I’m always going to be grateful for that.”

Rowland said she feels grateful for the opportunity and hopes she’s living up to expectations.

“My first TV job being on the 18th season of one of the most popular shows in the world was and still is super intimidating,” Rowland said. “I try not to take anything for granted while I’m here. It’s so fun coming here for work every single day.

“Grey’s Anatomy” airs weekly on Thursdays at 9 p.m. on ABC. It is also available to stream through the ABC app or website.