Racer Report

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 Sept. 16-20.

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Murray State Journalism and Mass Communications Instructor Ed Rode published a photography book titled Songwriter Musician on Aug. 20. 

The book is more than 30 years in the making, drawing on the thousands of music-related photos he’s accumulated since moving to Nashville in 1990. From Chet Atkins to Jack White, Patsy Montana to Taylor Swift and Johnny Cash to Jelly Roll, this collection spans generations and genres. 

Rode is a photojournalist who says he tries to tell a story through each photo.

"Some of the faces in this book may be unfamiliar beyond Music Row, some are among the most celebrated in the world," Rode said. "Every one of them adds their own color and contrast to Nashville’s music community. I hope this book brings it all into view — from the humanity behind the superstars to the history-changing contributions of people behind the scenes."

The book is available for purchase at EdRode.com.

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The Murray State Music Department will present Stephen Schwartz’s Godspell on Oct. 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Lovett Auditorium on Murray State’s campus. General admission tickets are $20 at the door. Student tickets are free.

Godspell is the first major musical theater hit from three-time Grammy and Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin and Children of Eden).

Loosely based around the Gospel of St. Matthew, the show follows a company of characters who unite to become a community through teachings of love, kindness and acceptance. Led by the international hit, “Day by Day,” Godspell features a parade of beloved songs, including, “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” “Learn Your Lessons Well,” “All for the Best,” “All Good Gifts,” “Turn Back, O Man” and “By My Side.” Godspell at Murray State University is a fast paced, uplifting, hilarious and ultimately heartwarming musical retelling of the parables of St. Matthew with a little contemporary twist.

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Murray State graduate student Zachary Brown, of Louisville, Kentucky, recently completed a 10-week NASA DEVELOP Summer 2024 Internship program at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Maryland.

NASA DEVELOP is an applied science, capacity-building program in NASA’s Earth Science Division. In collaboration with partner organizations, NASA DEVELOP conducts feasibility studies that address local, national and international environmental and policy concerns using data collected by NASA’s Earth-observing fleet of satellites.

Brown, who graduated from Murray State in May 2024 with his bachelor’s degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES), is back at Murray State working on his master’s degree in geoinformatics, working as both a graduate research assistant and teaching assistant in the EES Department.

During his time at the NASA DEVELOP Internship, Brown was a part of a team that worked on the Southern Indiana Ecological Conservation Project.

“We set out to assess canopy dynamics and forest type groupings to inform restoration activities in the Hoosier National Forest and the greater region of southern Indiana,” said Brown. “I worked closely on a team of four people with the U.S. Forest Service, Central Hardwood Joint Venture and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to visualize the changes in forest canopy from 1984 to 2023.”

The group also undertook a suitability assessment to identify areas that could benefit the most from their restoration and management activities.

“Overall, I truly had a one of a kind experience at the Goddard Space Flight Center,” said Brown. “Not only did I get to participate in a project that had real world implications and use, but I got to meet a lot of wonderful scientists, civil servants and many others while getting a unique ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at the current missions going on at GSFC and within NASA's Earth Science Division.” 

Brown said one big takeaway from the experience was a boost to his confidence in the earth science field.

“Everyday was crunch time, and we had to be light on our feet, flexible and adaptable to get the job done with the time we had,” said Brown. “From all of this, I am very confident that I will do nothing short of excel in my graduate studies and hit the ground running when it is finally time to start my career.”

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Dr. Brian Bourke, professor and program coordinator in the higher education and student affairs master’s program, had a book titled Integrating Social Justice into Student Affairs published by Routledge and ACPA-College Student Educators International in May. Drawing on in-depth interviews with fifty student affairs educators, including graduate students, new professionals, faculty and senior student affairs administrators, Bourke unpacks the language of and around social justice and its connection to the field of student affairs. 

Bourke teaches courses on research methods and assessment, student characteristics and development and student affairs practice. Through his scholarship, Bourke explores issues pertaining to the experiences of students of color in predominantly white institutions and the evolution of professional values in student affairs.

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The Murray State University Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program celebrated a 100 percent pass rate for all graduates who took the May 2024 FNP Certification Examination.

“The outstanding performance on the FNP certification exam is evidence of the excellent education provided by the faculty and our preceptors,” said Dean of the Murray State University School of Nursing and Health Professions Dr. Dina Byers. “The FNP faculty have many years of clinical and educational experience which is translated into the classroom. Additionally, the students are dedicated to nursing excellence and complete the program with a strong nursing education and a commitment to the patients, families and communities that they serve.”

The FNP program at Murray State University educates baccalaureate prepared registered nurses for a career as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Students will learn how to provide primary care to patients in a variety of settings. The role of the FNP builds on the competencies of RNs and includes:

• Providing comprehensive care to individuals and families across the lifespan

• Ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests

• Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions

• Prescribing medication and other treatments

• Managing patient’s overall well-being through health promotion and disease prevention

• Providing counseling and education

Learn more about the FNP program at https://bit.ly/3BlvxHV. 

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Murray State Senior Natalie Busch, of Columbia, Illinois, was selected to receive Alpha Sigma Alpha’s Frost Fidelity Award at the sorority’s 53rd National Convention and Leadership Conference this summer in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Busch, a communication disorders major, was selected from more than 4,000 collegiate members from across the country to receive the award, which is based on the more intangible sorority values and ideals. It is awarded to a member with commitment and exemplary service, who demonstrates her regard for others by her actions, who tackles problems large or small and who lends abilities to all projects.

Busch has maintained a 4.0 GPA and has been inducted into multiple academic honors societies. She lends her intellectual talents to the Beta Nu Chapter and leads the sorority executive board in effective goal-setting and problem-solving. She values the physical aim of the sorority and leads the charge in organizing intramural sports and fitness activities for the chapter. Busch has served on the service and giving committee and held multiple positions in her chapter including ritual chairman, wellness chairman and the vice president of programming and ritual. She regularly goes above and beyond to foster close relationships among sisters.

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Murray State University Theatre’s annual children’s show this year is “Snow White” by Marjorie Sokoloff in the Robert E. Johnson Theatre at the Price Doyle Fine Arts Center on Murray State’s campus. Performances will be Oct. 1-2 at 9:30 a.m. and Oct. 5 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $3. Murray State students get in free with a student ID.

The Witch was the fairest one of all first, and she will not be silenced any longer. This updated version of the classic story unveils the villain’s perspective, from her tragic childhood to her quest for revenge. So how did the story really go? Join all seven quirky dwarves, a tongue-tied prince, a sassy mirror, a dancing chicken and, of course, Snow White, in a tale about beauty, friendship and happily-ever-afters with a twist.

“It’s great to perform a hilarious show for kids,” said Carter Parks, a junior theatre major from Mayfield, Kentucky, who will play several characters in the performance. “This is my first children’s show, and I’m excited to do it with such talented people. I’m also excited to deliver such an important message to kids, as we should teach them to love themselves always.”

Cast list:

Kristina Belt /Junior/ Theatre Major/ Mayfield, Kentucky (Snow White)

Billy Hobson/ Junior/ Theatre Major/ Memphis, Tennessee (Grouchy/Actor 1)

Carter Parks/ Junior/ Theatre Major/ Mayfield, Kentucky (Actor 3/ Handsome Prince/Gesundheit/Snoozy/Timid)

Lainey Bennett/ Freshman/ Music Musical Theatre Major/ Spencer County, Kentucky (Narrator)

Cordell Mefford/ Freshman/ Theatre Major/ Madisonville, Kentucky (Mirror)

Rinna Quertermous/ Freshman/ Graphic Design Major/ Livingston County, Kentucky (Actress 1/ Witch/Old Woman)

Elijah LaRue/ Junior/ Theatre Major/ Evansville, Indiana (Actor 2/Chicken/Gleeful/Teach/Doofy)