College of Education and Human Services’ alumni named among the Alumni Association’s Top 22 Under 40 Class of 2023

MURRAY, Ky. – The College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) is pleased to recognize nine members of the Murray State University Alumni Association’s (MSUAA) Top 22 Under 40 Class of 2023. Eight are alumni of the College, and one is employed in the Dean’s Office. 

Each year, the Murray State University Alumni Association recognizes 22 of the “most influential, innovative and inspiring Murray State alumni under the age of 40, who have distinguished themselves among their peers and continue to make a significant impact on the world.” Among the 22 recipients from this year, nine of the individuals recognized are in some way affiliated with the COEHS.

The 2023 Alumni Association’s Top 22 Under 40 Class of 2023 COEHS affiliated recipients include:

• Sarah Burgess, ‘15: Earned a Criminal Justice minor from Murray State and currently serves as the Public Affairs Officer at Kentucky State Police Post 1.

• Tamela Darnell, ‘08 & ‘12: Graduated from Murray State and is serving as the Finance, Business and Administrative Manager for the COEHS.

• Ashley Fritsche, ‘12 & ‘19: Earned a Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership in 2012 and an Education Specialist degree in 2019 from Murray State. She currently is a teacher at Calloway County High School.

• Mark Mallory, ‘08, ‘13 & ‘15: Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Secondary Education in 2008, a Master of Arts degree in Secondary Education in 2013 and another Master of Arts degree in Education Administration in 2015. He is currently the principal at Southwest Calloway Elementary School.

• Cowann Owens, ‘08: Graduated from Murray State with a Bachelor of Social Work. He currently is a licensed clinical social worker working in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Louisville, Kentucky.

• J.T. Payne, ‘21: Graduated from Murray State with a Master of Arts degree in Teacher Leadership and is currently a teacher at Henderson County High School.

• Wayne Simpson, ‘07 & ‘08: Graduated from Murray State with a Bachelor of Social Work and with a Master of Science in Human Development & Leadership. He is currently the associate director of Career Development at Western Kentucky University.

• Mary Grace Starks, ‘12 & ‘14: Graduated from Murray State with a Bachelor of Science in Communications Disorders and with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. She is currently a speech-language pathologist at Calloway County Preschool and Publications Chair for the Kentucky Speech-Language Hearing Association.

• Kristen Tinch, ‘13: Graduated from Murray State with degrees in English and Spanish Education. She is currently a secondary literacy consultant at the Kentucky Department of Education.

These nine outstanding alumni, alongside the rest of the MSUAA Top 22 Under 40 Class of 2023, will be honored at the Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner in April. For more information please visit murraystate.edu/alumni/YoungAlumni.aspx.