Oral History of Murray State University

Murray State University Oral History Project

Share your Story

The Murray State University Alumni Association wants to hear your story. With more than 80,000 alumni worldwide, there are so many Racer stories to tell! And we need your help. MSU’s Oral History Project is a chance to collect the stories of your Racer experience in your own words. These stories will be preserved in a beautiful book that celebrates Murray State University’s impact on your life and the person you are today.

You may receive an email, postcard and phone call from a company called PCI asking for some personal information and a story about your time as a Murray State University student. This is called the MSU Oral History Project and it is a legitimate partnership between PCI and the Murray State University Office of Alumni Relations.

PCI Partnership

The MSUAA has partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts, Inc.) to produce an Oral History Publication for Murray State University. PCI is a family-owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years. This project allows us to hear about your personal experiences from your time at Murray State University and how it helped to shape your life since then. While the PCI representative has you on the phone, we will want to make sure your contact information on file with Murray State University is up to date.

Please note, PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the MSU Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the MSU Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law.

It is important to note that PCI is facilitating this project at no cost to Murray State University or the Murray State University Alumni Association. During the call, PCI will offer you the opportunity to purchase the Oral History Book, in addition to other MSU-branded merchandise exclusive to this project. However, it is crucial that we emphasize that your participation is entirely voluntary, and there is no obligation to make any purchases whether you shared your story or not. Rest assured, making a purchase is not required to have your story told in the book being produced. Your decision to make a purchase or not will not impact your story’s inclusion in the book, and your story remains an essential part of this meaningful project.

What do you do?

Tell us your story! Call the dedicated Murray State University Update Line at 1.866.663.6216 or email customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

Your Story:

So, what Racer story will you share?

  • Did a special faculty or staff member have a profound impact on your life?
  • Did you find your Racer “Solemate” at Murray State? Are your shoes on the Shoe Tree?
  • Can you trace your career path back to a defining moment at our alma mater?
  • Have connections you made on campus turned into lifelong friendships?
  • Were you on campus during a historical moment?
  • Are you a Racer legacy?

 

A Racers flag waves on a sunny day.
 
A Racer Band member celebrates at Homecoming.
 
Tent City at Homecoming 2023
 
A Racer family enjoys giant Connect 4 at Family Weekend.
 
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“The final oral history book that will come from this project will ultimately be a prized possession for so many Racers around the world. PCI has partnered with many universities nationwide, including several others in Kentucky, on projects similar to this. I’ve seen the final products, and they are fantastic. You will see hundreds of pages featuring memory after memory, story after story, inspiration after inspiration shared by Racers from throughout Murray State’s history laid out beautifully with amazing photos and fun graphics. I am always amazed by how different our shared alumni stories can be, while also threaded together with commonalities and truths that bond us together as a collective alumni body. I am so excited to see the final result! But, we cannot do it without the help and trust of our Racer alumni family. Please consider participating in this project by responding to the email, call or postcard you receive from PCI, and share your unique story for all of us to enjoy.”

Carrie McGinnis, ’20Director of Alumni Relations

What to look for

PCI is in the process of sending postcards and emails to our alumni. Simply follow the steps to update your information and set up a time to share your story with one of their staff interviewers.


Sample PCI email

Sample PCI postcard back

Sample PCI postcard front

Frequently Asked Questions

We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for Murray State University. PCI is a family owned business based in Dallas, TX, that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years. This project allows us to hear about your personal experiences from your time at Murray State University and how the school helped to shape your life since then. And, while we have you on the phone, we want to make sure your contact information is up to date.

Yes, in a few different ways:

  • Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni
  • Legacy – sharing and collecting stories preserves the history of our school
  • Revenue – generates donation revenue for alumni programs
  • Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our school

PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law.

  • If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed and then ask you to share your story about your time at Murray State University. Your story will be recorded and the sound clip provided to Murray State University at the conclusion of the project.
  • If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.

The only information that is included in the publication is your name, class year and degree, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. When you call to update your contact information, it will only be used to update your alumni record for the school/alumni association. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before 06/09/2023 by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1.800.982.1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com.

You can call back at any time before 06/09/2023 to share your story.

You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption.

If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send a physical photo in to be printed. (Note: the photo will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.)

The Murray State University Oral History Publication is available for sale only to Murray State University alumni.

Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1.800.982.1590 and they will take care of this for you.

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