College of Education and Human Services calls for outstanding educator nominations ahead of Sparks Lecture

MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State University’s College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) will host its annual Sparks Lecture on April 30 in the Alexander Hall Auditorium.

The COEHS is calling for nominations for its Outstanding Educator Awards ahead of the lecture.

Categories for the Outstanding Educator Awards are:

• • • • Outstanding Early Childhood Educator: includes Head Start and preschool educators

      • Outstanding Elementary School Educator: includes all elementary school educators

      • Outstanding Middle School Educator: includes all middle school educators

      • Outstanding High School Educator: includes all high school and career and technical education educators

The deadline to submit nominations for the awards is April 12. For more information, including access to the nomination form, visit bit.ly/sparkslecture24nominate.

Chosen award recipients will be recognized at the 2024 Sparks Lecture, an event named after Dr. Harry M. Sparks, the University’s fifth president.

“The Harry M. Sparks Distinguished Lecture Series is one of the most important events for the College of Education and Human Services,” said Dr. David Whaley, dean of the College of Education and Human Services. “Originally established by the Board of Regents in 1980, the Sparks Lecture Series is delivered annually to the Murray State University community and to interested others.”

The featured speaker for this year is Mr. Dale F. Wilson. Mr. Wilson, a Retired Special Agent with the United States Secret Services and Murray State alumnus, will speak on how Murray State University sparked changes in his life and professional career.

Following the lecture and awards portions of the event, a complimentary dinner will be served in the atrium. The event is free and open to the public, but anyone planning on attending should first RSVP through the Sparks Lecture website: bit.ly/sparkslecture24. The deadline to RSVP for the lecture series is April 23.