The Badgett family makes significant commitment to MSU and the College of Education and Human Services

MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State University is delighted to announce that the Badgett family and the J. Rogers Badgett Sr. Foundation of Madisonville, Kentucky, have made a significant multi-year commitment to the College of Education and Human Services through the Murray State University Foundation. The Badgett family has a rich history of supporting education throughout western Kentucky and began their support of Murray State more than 15 years ago. The family honors the legacy of Mr. Rogers Badgett, who established the Badgett Construction Company and Badgett Mine Stripping Corporation (1943-1976). Mr. Badgett was known as a "Working Man’s Man"; however, he understood the need for formal education and support. Throughout his life, he found many ways to encourage and promote the importance of higher education.

"Our family chose to make this commitment at this time because it is our continued belief that the impact of educators goes far beyond the classroom,” said Rhea Badgett Ashby, vice president of the J. Rogers Badgett Sr. Foundation. “We are very grateful to Murray State and Madisonville Community College for providing amazing resources to our communities, and we are happy to partner with each in this way." 

The Badgett family has established three scholarship funds in the College of Education and Human Services that have been instrumental in supporting students who want to pursue a degree in order to teach in their communities. These scholarships particularly support non-traditional students and students progressing from a two-year community college to a four-year degree at Murray State University.

With their new commitment, the Badgett family will both be adding funds to the scholarships they have created in the past, allowing even more students to benefit from them, establishing endowed professorships in each teacher education area at Murray State University, including a position at the Murray State University Madisonville campus. Through these newly endowed professorships, the Badgett family recognizes the importance that effective educators have on students and their future careers, and has given Murray State the gift of resources to attract and retain excellent educators who will enhance the College of Education and Human Services’ strong programs and provide its students with an exceptional foundation that will set them on the path of success.

Murray State University’s Be Bold: Forever Blue & Gold Centennial Campaign seeks to provide student support and academic excellence through endowed professorships, which are an integral part of retaining and attracting the best and brightest academic faculty members. The Badgetts have demonstrated unmatched generosity and support of education, and their efforts have impacted the lives of over 1,000 Murray State students through scholarship dollars. The Badgett family’s legacy has been unsurpassed in the area of education for the University’s students and the teachers and schools throughout the region.  

“I have had the honor to work with Mr. Bentley Badgett, Rhea Badgett Ashby and the J. Rogers Badgett, Sr. Foundation for many years,” said Murray State University President Dr. Bob Jackson. “The Badgett family fully understands the importance of advancing higher education in our region and this new gift will accomplish this objective along with new resources to ensure that we continue to develop outstanding teachers and educational leaders to assist our next generation of students. We are very grateful for Bentley’s and Rhea’s generosity, vision and support.”

The College of Education and Human Services has a more than 100-year history of educating and producing excellent teachers for Kentucky and beyond. An impressive 74 percent of teachers within the 18-county western Kentucky region are graduates of Murray State University and through the generosity of the Badgett family and their bold vision, the landscape of education in the west Kentucky region will be impacted in perpetuity.

Individuals who would like to join the Badgett's commitment or discuss their own impact on the next generation of educators can reach out to Brandon Anderson, director of development for the College of Education and Human Services, at 270-809-3026, banderson26@murraystate.edu, or visit murraystate.edu/giving.