Town & Gown Advisory Board

Advisory Board will bring together community professionals to guide Town & Gown Community Partnership

 

MURRAY, Ky. – As Murray State Town & Gown celebrates 20 years of building campus and community partnerships, Murray State University, along with the Office of Development, have announced the newly reactivated Town & Gown Advisory Board, which will guide the University’s premier community partnership program into the next 20 years of excellence. 

The Town & Gown Community Partnership Program community advisory board is a collection of individuals within the Murray and Calloway County community who bring unique knowledge and skills to effectively guide the organization. Members of the advisory board are listed below.

"I want to thank our Town and Gown members for all that they do for Murray State University,” said Murray State University President Dr. Bob Jackson. “We are deeply grateful for their loyal service to this community, region and state. Their many contributions make Murray State a better place for our students and campus community."  

Representing the University’s administrative area:

• Mr. Jordan Smith, executive director of government and institutional relations for Murray State University

• Ms. Ellie McGowan, Murray State University Student Government Association president

Representing the Murray and Calloway County school systems:

• Superintendent Coy Samons, superintendent of Murray Independent Schools

• Superintendent Tres Settle, superintendent of Calloway County Schools

Representing the City of Murray government

• Ms. Rose Ross, Murray City Council member

Representing the various industries of Murray and Calloway County:

• Mr. Mark Manning, president of Murray-Calloway County Economic Development Corporation

• Ms. Erin Carrico, executive director of the Murray Convention and Visitors Bureau

Representing the area’s small businesses:

• Mr. Jim Foster, owner of Culver’s in Murray, Kentucky

• Mr. Mike Hopkins, CEO of Devsource Technology Solutions

Representing the area’s banking industry:

• Mrs. Sally Hopkins, president and CEO of FNB Bank

• Mr. Tony Ryan, executive vice president of the Murray Bank

• Mr. Jason Jones, president of CFSB Bank

Representing the area’s healthcare industry:

• Col. Jerry Penner, CEO of Murray-Calloway County Hospital

Representing the area’s nonprofit industry:

• Mrs. Debi Danielson, executive director of the Murray Art Guild

Ex-Officio members include:

• Dr. Tina Bernot, executive director of development for Murray State University

• Mr. Chris Wooldridge, director of the Center for the Economic and Entrepreneurial Development

• Judge Executive Kenny Imes, judge executive for Calloway County

“I am incredibly thankful for all of these individuals for their willingness to serve in this crucial capacity as we usher in the next 20 years of Murray State Town & Gown,” said Christian Barnes, director of donor engagement and communications and coordinator for Town & Gown Community Partnership. “It is vital to the success of Town & Gown that we include professionals who represent each sector of the Murray-Calloway County community and the invaluable expertise they bring to the organization.”

The advisory board is comprised of various community professionals who represent each industry currently present within Murray and Calloway County. As part of their role, the board will evaluate the performance of the Town & Gown organization and will assess its mission, purpose and program components to strategically meet all outlined goals and ensure all constituents are successfully represented.

Through the community advisory board, Town & Gown strives to improve the organization's quality of impact in the Murray and Calloway County community through strategic and active community engagement.