Racer Report: Nov. 27 - Dec. 1

MURRAY, Ky. – The latest Murray State University Racer Report includes student, faculty, staff and alumni accomplishments, announcements, upcoming campus events and more for the week of Nov. 27 - Dec. 1.

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Murray State University Libraries will be working with Ithaka S+R as part of an Instructional Support Assessment Institute, along with six other academic institutions.

Evidence about instructional activities can be used to improve the services that universities provide to support their teachers, as well as to foster collaboration between instructional support service units. Ithaka S+R designed a program for colleges and universities to take stock of the services that support those who provide instruction on a regular basis at their institutions.

Murray State – along with Arizona State University, California State University Northridge, Willamette University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida and University of Manitoba – will gather evidence that will allow institutions to create a coordinated, cross-campus strategy for instructional support, including the capacity to track their instructors’ evolving practices and needs on an ongoing basis.

As part of the institute, Ithaka S+R will train teams drawn from the units responsible for providing instructional support at each institution, such as the library, teaching and learning center, information technology, accessibility services and faculty development office. Each team will review and update its institution’s approach to assessing instructional support needs using instruments designed by Ithaka S+R. They will then design and conduct a new assessment of their instructional support services in fall 2024 and connect with their cohort peers for cross-learning opportunities along the way.

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At the fall induction ceremony of Rho Sigma Kappa (RSK), held on Nov. 16, officers and faculty honored and recognized new members: Canon Adams, Judah Arnold, Jaidah Black, Karley Clark, Parker Estes, Madelyn Hackney, Cerenity Hardin, Ella Klostermann, Nicoll London, Elli McIntyre, Chris Messick, Brenden Nelson, Mary Osborne, Emily Reed, Tristen Richards, Lily Sanchez, Daniel Schroeder, Lexi Stone, Andrew Stookey, Miles Tichenor, Sean Thomas, Tony (Neal) Walker and Hannah Waller.

RSK is the National Honor Society in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). RSK is a society dedicated to honoring and recognizing those students in OSH who distinguish themselves through academic achievement.  Membership is based on nomination by department faculty and requires completion of 15 credit hours in the major and earning a minimum grade point average of 3.2 in OSH courses and a cumulative overall GPA of at least a 3.0. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, character and professional involvement. Typically, only between 5 to 10 percent of OSH students qualify for membership in RSK. Induction is by invitation only.

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Emma Roach was named Murray State University's Student Employee of the Month for November.

Roach, who is from Murray, Kentucky, is a senior agriculture major focusing on agriscience and technology. Roach works in the Education Abroad Office. She was nominated for the award by Education Abroad Director Steven Guns and by Education Abroad Advisor Christy D'Ambrosio for her dedication, trustworthiness and effective communication.

“Emma has been such an asset to the Education Abroad Office,” said D’Ambrosio. “Since day one she has worked tirelessly to support the team and to support students studying abroad, to learn all that she can about available programs and our office processes and to bring her bright energy and positive attitude into the office every day. We couldn't be more thankful for all that she has contributed to the office over the last few years.”

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Two Murray State University piano students took top honors at the 2023 Kentucky Music Teachers Association (KMTA) Competitions on Nov. 11 at Campbellsville University. Seulki Kim, a junior piano performance major from South Korea, was the winner of the KMTA Bluegrass Young Artist Piano Competition, and Grayson Pate, also a junior piano performance major, from Mayfield, Kentucky, was the winner of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Piano Competition. In December, Grayson will compete at the MTNA Southern Division Competition, which includes winners from nine southern states. Both students prepared a 30-minute program of pieces from different style periods and performed for judges from various universities from around the region. Kim is a student of Dr. Meeyoun Park, while Pate is a student of Dr. Matthew Gianforte. Support for their travel to and from Campbellsville was provided with generous funding from the Gary and Barbara Morgan Keyboard Studies Fund for Excellence.