Racer Report: July 22-26

 

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 July 22-26.

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Murray State University hosted a workshop for 22 high school agriculture teachers from July 16-18. These agriculture teachers came from across the country, representing 10 states from California to Connecticut, and engaged in comprehensive training in small gas engine technology throughout those three days. The workshop took place in the E. B. Howton Agricultural Engineering Building and was led by industry trainers.

Dr. Trent Wells, assistant professor of agricultural education, said this is a hands-on, educational workshop designed primarily for agriculture teachers who are teaching about small gas engines for the first time and agriculture teachers who are seeking a “refresher” type of experience so that they can better teach about small gas engines. Wells began advertising for the workshop in the early spring 2024 semester.

“My ultimate goal is for agriculture teachers to improve their confidence and competence in teaching small gas engines topics to their students,” Wells said. “Doing so helps these agriculture teachers better address local workforce development needs in their respective communities and promote college and career readiness for their students.”

“Murray State University derives numerous benefits from hosting workshops such as the Briggs and Stratton Instruction Field School, including: (a) promoting on-campus engagement and experiences with agriculture teachers across our state and our nation, (b) facilitating direct engagement between agriculture teachers and University faculty to help promote graduate degree program recruitment and (c) building relationships with agriculture teachers who are able to confidently recruit future students for the University,” Wells said.

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Murray State University Director of Career Services Matt Purdy has been selected to be a part of the inaugural Leadership exChange cohort beginning in September.

The Leadership exChange is being hosted by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) and its affiliate, the Kentucky Student Success Collaborative. It’s a year-long change leadership program designed to provide participants with a comprehensive set of skills and tools to lead strategic change initiatives, foster innovation and drive continuous improvement within their institutions of higher education.

“I am extremely humbled and excited to be a part of the Leadership exChange program,” Purdy said. “I'm looking forward to learning from my counterparts across Kentucky to help bring actionable ideas to Murray State to help further enhance the experience of our Racers.” 

Throughout the program, participants will learn about and apply various methodologies that center the student in the design and implementation of solutions to significantly improve student success outcomes.

More than 30 campus leaders from public, private and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System institutions will participate in five workshops throughout the academic year, culminating in a team-based project.

Cohort members will hear from national speakers, including:

Jack Hess, Civic Lab
Juliette Price, National Association of System Heads
Lena Blackstock, Process/Practice Studio
Dana Jackson, Dana Jackson Consulting

Throughout the program, cohort members will learn key change leadership principles, connect through a team-based capstone project and apply those concepts to benefit Kentucky students.

The first module of the Leadership exChange begins Sept. 6, with Jack Hess from Civic Lab discussing systemness and an ecosystem approach.

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Cameron Brown, sophomore electromechanical engineering technology major from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity was selected out of thousands of applicants to attend the fraternity’s Undergraduate Leadership Institute (ULI) June 1-8. This week-long conference gave Brown a better insight to lead not only his fraternity’s chapter but also represent Murray State. 

The fraternity selected 88 undergraduate members nationally and internationally as a part of its 2024 Lambda Class to represent its chapters as they develop leadership skills within the fraternity across college campuses and communities. Brown said he enjoyed the camaraderie, and by the end of the week it was as if the participants had known each other for months.

Throughout the week, members participated in seminars and panel discussions on various topics including brotherhood, leadership, team building, career transition, effective decision-making, finance and brand management.

ULI also provided participants with the opportunity to network with Fortune 500 companies such as Honeywell, J.P. Morgan Chase, TD Bank, Volkswagen, Macy's, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and more. Additionally, participants partnered with Lowe's on a community service project.

“Some key things I took away from the whole experience are how I can improve my leadership skills, team dynamics, decision-making, social development and mental wellness,” Brown said. “I would have to say my favorite part of the experience was our visit to Honeywell, learning all the technological developments that they are a part of and are creating was really eye opening and had me excited that this could possibly be somewhere I work for, since my major is electromechanical engineering technology.”