The new year has begun and Murray State President Bob Jackson is actively working on his finishing touches to the University before he heads into retirement. Construction, new educational programs, legislation in Frankfort and assisting in the presidential search are a few priorities on Jackson’s list.
Vet School moving along
For the last 50 years, Murray State has been working to open a veterinary school of medicine. This year’s goal is to make it a reality, as state representatives and the University administration work to amend KRS 164.295.
The current statute lists what comprehensive universities aren’t allowed to do, but House Bill 153, introduced to the House on Jan. 8, presents the amended version to bring progress for the veterinary school. The new language says,“… and Murray State University may offer doctor’s degrees required for professional practice and licensure in veterinary medicine; …” The only exception currently offered by the statute is for Northern Kentucky University’s law school.
The bill has been assigned to the Committee on Committees in the House. The legislature adjourned and will resume Feb. 4. Jackson said HB 153 is creating more headway and a closer reality for Murray State’s school of veterinary medicine.
“The reason we want to be a comprehensive university with a school of veterinary medicine is because there’s not one in Kentucky,” he said. “This is a very agriculturally focused state and probably the most agriculturally focused state that doesn’t have a school of veterinary medicine. We have been trying for over 50 years to secure one here and we are making progress. I feel very good about it. This bill and its sponsors is a major step forward.”
Far western Kentucky legislators – Rep. Mary Beth Imes, R, and House Majority Leader Steven Rudy, R, are among those who have pledged their support for the veterinary school.
Jackson updates campus construction
The new nursing and health professionals building is officially on its way to campus. Pinnacle Inc. was awarded the contract for the building and the work is ongoing. In addition to a new building, the University will also offer a nursing anesthetist program and increase enrollment.
This is a milestone project for campus, Jackson said.
“We typically take a cohort of 18 students, and we are increasing that to a cohort of 24 students, which is almost a 40% increase in class size,” he said.
A state-funded new living and learning commons building, which will be located where Old Springer used to be, is also in design and development for later this summer. The first floor will have a learning commons and mini student center and the other three floors will be residential areas.
Jackson said he thinks students will enjoy this newer living space.
“I am really excited about this great addition to campus and I think students will really enjoy this new level of housing,” he said. “It complements Station 74, which is apartment style housing. This building should be bid out late this spring.”
The University also received $10 million to enhance the cybersecurity section of the Martha Layne Collins Industry and Technology Center. Jackson said the enrollment in the cybersecurity program has increased 60% in the last 24 months.
Racer Arena is also under construction for remodeling and to move it from steam lines onto a heating, ventilation and air condition system. Jackson said he hopes that Racer Arena will be used for more events in the future.
“It will be heated and cooled for student use, such as intramural activities, events and other extracurriculars,” he said. “Right now it is mainly used for volleyball and some intramural sports, but I think we can enhance and grow it for student use.”
Dental Hygiene comes to the University
The Board of Regents approved a new degree program at the fall quarterly meeting on Dec. 13. The Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene will be added to the programs offered at the School of Nursing and Health Professionals.
Jackson said this is another great need in the region that Murray State is moving to fix.
“There’s a great need for dental hygienists in this multi-state region,” he said. “Dentists have come to us in recent years saying they need assistance getting hygienists, so we are beginning the stages of planning this program.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment of dental hygienists to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033. As of now, Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville are the only Kentucky universities that offer a dental hygiene program. 92 out of 120 counties in Kentucky are considered to not be experiencing the shortage, according to the Rural Health Information Hub.
