Murray State has named three students as the recipients of the spring 2024 Outstanding Senior Award: Caleb Coil, Ellie McGowan and Dahlia Miller.
The Outstanding Senior Award is one of the most prestigious honors given to graduating seniors. It recognizes select seniors who have excelled in their fields of study during their time at Murray State. As part of the honor, the outstanding seniors will speak at the commencement ceremonies.
Coil, McGowan and Miller were announced as the 2024 outstanding seniors at the April 26 Senior Breakfast.
Coil, senior biology/pre-med major, said he was amazed when he found out that he was selected for the reward.
“I have always worked hard, but I never thought about the chance for an award,” Coil said. “Because of this, the award was a big surprise. I am very grateful, and, needless to say, I am thrilled.”
Coil has visited campus since he was a child, joining his family on trips to Kentucky Lake. Coil was a recipient of the President Fellowship. During his time at Murray State, Coil established a MIDLIFE chapter at Murray State, a group that has traveled to South America and served in various medical clinics.
“I can’t believe how fast my four years have flown by. It seems like just yesterday that I was entering the halls of this campus for the first time,” Coil said. “Looking back at my college career, it is filled with awesome memories with the many friends I have made while here. My Murray State experience has not only been edifying, but it has offered endless enjoyment.”
After graduating, Coil plans to attend medical school.
“When I graduated from high school, it was difficult for me to acknowledge that I had eight more years of school left. Even just the four years of college seemed like a whole other lifetime, let alone the four years of medical school that would follow,” Coil said. “Looking back, I have enjoyed some of the best experiences of my life while at college, and the ‘four long years’ have seemingly vanished.”
McGowan, senior agriculture business major, said she always felt like she had a connection with the university.
“If I could do it all again, I would in a heartbeat. Part of me feels like I would do it all again without changing a single thing because every experience, good or bad, made me who I am today,” McGowan said.
McGowan said she was incredibly surprised to find out that she had been chosen as an Outstanding Senior.
“It is a true honor and one that I did not expect,” McGowan said. “Nonetheless, I am very blessed to have received it and am incredibly thankful.”
During her time at Murray State, McGowan has served as the Student Government Association (SGA) president, participated in the Murray State University Agriculture Business Club Quiz Bowl Team and a member of the sorority Alpha Omicron Pi.
“As I reflect back on my time here, I have no regrets,” McGowan said. “Go do all the things more than you originally would because when it comes to an end, what you did and those memories will be what you’re left with.”
