Racer Report: Jan. 6-10

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 Jan. 6-10.

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Murray State alumna Dr. Allison Duke, ‘96 and ‘02, was named dean of Lipscomb University’s nationally recognized College of Business in December 2024. Duke began her new role on Jan. 1.

Duke has served in leadership roles in the Lipscomb University College of Business since 2010 and as professor of management for 18 years. Prior to her work in higher education, Duke served for nearly a decade in the corporate sector in human resources for several organizations. In addition, she has a portfolio of consulting clients in a variety of industries including health care, revenue cycle management, and energy and sustainability. 

“Dr. Allison Duke’s visionary leadership as senior associate dean and her passion for excellence have helped shape the College of Business into a nationally recognized program that equips students to lead with both competence and character,” said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen. “Her commitment to excellence and her ability to foster strong partnerships within the university and the broader business community make her the ideal choice to lead the college forward. I am confident she will continue to build on its remarkable success and expand its influence locally and nationally.”

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Lipscomb University is a Christian, liberal arts university with a student body of nearly 5,000 students that offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees.

 

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Murray State University Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Professor Emeritus Roger Haney has had a four-volume series dealing with the effects of the mass media published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing.com. Extracts and a table of contents are available for each volume listed under Humanities and Social Science and the author's name. 

The four volumes are entitled: An Introduction to Media Effects and Audiences, Influences of the Mass Media, Behavioral Effects of the Mass Media and Diffusion of News and Innovations, Uses and Cultivation of the Mass Media.

 

 

 

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Murray State University Greek organizations showcased a successful fall 2024 academic semester with an overall term GPA of 3.23 while surpassing the overall undergraduate term GPA again last semester, based on the recently released grade report. 

Alpha Gamma Delta, along with Alpha Omicron Pi and Sigma Phi Epsilon excelled with the highest GPAs for active members, while Alpha Gamma Delta and Sigma Phi Epsilon earned the highest overall GPA for new members. Alpha Gamma Delta and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. earned the highest term GPAs for the semester. 

 

 

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Savannah Allen was recently promoted to director of economic development and grants at Hicks Partners in Columbus, Ohio.

Allen earned a Master of Science degree in economic development in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science degree in economics in 2016 from Murray State. She has also completed additional training in business retention, finance and site development.

Allen started her career at SomerCor in Chicago, where she administered a city-wide grant program, assisting a portfolio of nearly 100 small businesses in obtaining critical funding. She also worked closely with the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development to streamline processes and improve the efficiency of the programs.

Most recently, Allen played an active role in fostering economic development in Union County and Marysville, Ohio. She led initiatives to support local businesses, strengthen workforce programs and secure resources for community growth and redevelopment projects. Her efforts have helped connect businesses with opportunities and promote economic strategies.