Since the start of the 2024-2025 academic school year, it has been known that current University President Bob Jackson would be retiring, stepping down from his role and opening the position.

After months of questions and intrigue, the University released information on the four finalists up for the position. Forums were scheduled for the community to meet and question the finalists on various subjects, from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to infrastructure.

The four finalists, at their given forum, discussed what they envisioned for the University should they get hired for the role. As plans were shared, favorites shifted from finalist to finalist as the forums wrapped up, and anticipation rises as the campus community turns toward the Board of Regents for the name of Murray State’s new president.

While there is no doubt that the University has had some ups and downs over the past few years, with new leadership comes new opportunities and expectations. Students, like Jonathan Knowles, senior English major, said he hopes the new president will put an emphasis on student and faculty needs above all else.

“I know concerns about many financial burdens placed upon students and families of students are commonly raised by my peers, such as the Racer Experience Fee and the recent power outage situation with some of the dorms,” Knowles said. “Leadership willing to be more transparent about how fees are utilized by the University would be a promising start.”

While complaints about student fees and occasional weather incidents are not new, the discontentedness surrounding the affairs of the University on such matters came to a head during the most recent power outage, leaving two dorms worth of students displaced with little timely answers.

“My biggest concern is that previously, the current leadership has demonstrated that they’re not prepared to handle incidents like the past couple of power outages, to the detriment of students,” said Jack Ellerbrook, junior journalism major. “Instead of using funds to improve campus infrastructure, which should be their top priority, they’re leeching off of students to pay for niche things like the esports lounge.”

The new president is expected to be revealed in the upcoming weeks as students prepare to enroll for the fall 2025 semester.