Dr. Seuss is credited with saying, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." 

 It is with that grateful attitude that we bring you the final episode of the Racer Alumni Podcast. What started as a centennial project, has been a labor of love over the last 12 months. We've talked to some incredible people, learned a tremendous number of interesting things and benefited from valuable perspectives. As of today, nearly 2,400 Racers have downloaded the podcast and hundreds listen to each episode. To everyone who has listened, participated, promoted and encouraged...THANK YOU! Each episode will be archived in the University Library archives for posterity.  

 All of that said, it is only appropriate that we bookend this experience by talking in our final episode with our very first podcast guest: Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson, '85. We discuss the many positive changes underway to the look, feel and accessibility of our beautiful campus, the fate of the "big wooden people" in the Curris Center update, the future of Winslow Dining Hall, the special way that Murray State's First Lady, Karen Miller Jackson, '84, impacts our campus community and his ability to effectively lead, the unique perspective that comes with being an alumnus of the institution, the $100 million dollar "Be Bold" capital campaign and how you can be a part of ALL of it. 

 And finally, huge thanks to 2019 alumnus Jordan Lowe. This podcast was Jordan's brainchild, and he voluntarily co-hosted nearly every episode over the last year. He has been a joy to work with and is the proudest of the proud #RacerAlumni family. We could not have done this without him. 

 This podcast was produced with the help of Jim Ray Consulting Services and made possible by members of the Murray State University Alumni Association. Jim is a 1992 Murray State graduate. He can help you with the concept development, implementation, production and distribution of your own podcast, just as he has done for the MSUAA.

Not a current member of the MSUAA? Let's change that! Join today by visiting  murraystate.edu/alumni.

The views and opinions expressed during the Racer Alumni Podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Murray State University, its administration or the faculty at large. The episodes are designed to be inspiring and entertaining.

Laughter is making a return to Lovett Auditorium thanks to a comedy-loving alumnus with a heart for Murray State. Paducah, Kentucky-native Ben Wilson, a 1999 environmental engineering technology alumnus now working as a real estate attorney in Florida, is combining his love for his alma mater with his passion for stand-up comedy in an effort to bring nationally-known talent to western Kentucky. The two-night Kentucky Comedy Festival hits the stage at Murray State’s historic Lovett Auditorium this October 19-20. 

Inspired by Comedy Central’s “South Beach Comedy Festival” in Miami, Wilson began planning the Kentucky Comedy Festival on Murray State’s campus in 2020 with the goal of creating a fun and positive experience for the comedians, the campus community and the local region, and the hope of creating an annual affair. The two-day line-up features eight comedians including Lace Larrabee, Kentucky-native Mark Klein, Brad Upton, Tammy Pescatelli, Katherine Blanford (whose mother was a Murray State alumna), Eric O'Shea, Jasmine Ellis and Kevin Farley, brother of the late “Saturday Night Live” star Chris Farley. Many of the featured comedians can be seen on YouTube's Dry Bar Comedy Channel. 

Ben talks about his love for all things comedy, including an amazing story about how Possum Trot and Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky led to a fated friendship with Rodney Dangerfield, and his beloved Bulldogs, appropriately-named Rodney and Farley. 

Proceeds from the event will fund a scholarship that Wilson has established to support students who participate in Murray State University intramural sports. Ben participated in intramural sports as a student, and in 1999 was named Outstanding Senior Man. Realizing as a student himself the impact that extra-curricular activities can have on student retention, success and mental health, Ben established the "Living the Dream with Ben and the Bulldogs Intramural Sports Athletes of the Year Scholarship, which will provide a $1,000 scholarship to both the male and female athletes of the year annually.  Tickets for the Kentucky Comedy Festival are now on sale at www.kentuckycomedyfestival.com. 

This podcast was produced with the help of Jim Ray Consulting Services and made possible by members of the Murray State University Alumni Association. Jim is a 1992 Murray State graduate. He can help you with the concept development, implementation, production and distribution of your own podcast, just as he has done for the MSUAA.

Not a current member of the MSUAA? Let's change that! Join today by visiting  murraystate.edu/alumni.

The views and opinions expressed during the Racer Alumni Podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Murray State University, its administration or the faculty at large. The episodes are designed to be inspiring and entertaining.

The Murray State University Alumni Association recently honored the recipients of Murray State’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor granted by the MSUAA, which recognizes alumni who have excelled personally and professionally and who have made meaningful contributions at a local, state and national level.

This year’s recipients included: Phyllis Jackson Childs (’98, ’00), a nationally-lauded safety professional, Trisha Clark Cunningham (’86), a leader of one of the country’s largest efforts to feed the hungry, Dr. Brent Mayabb (’95), a globally recognized veterinarian, Dr. James Rudolph (’66, ’69), a Murray State professor emeritus whose work in the equine industry had an impact at home and around the country, and Jimmy Wright (attd.’62-’63), a world-renowned painter and artist.

 In part two of this series, we are bringing the Distinguished Alumni awards program to you, so you can hear the heartfelt stories of our recipients and share a laugh or two. In episode 20, you will hear from Brent, Jim’s wife, Dr. Holly Rudolph (on his behalf), and Jimmy as they weave together the tremendous impact that their shared Murray State experience had on their lives and impressive careers. Each of the recipients comments have been edited somewhat for the sake of time. You can read each of the recipient’s bios and learn more about the nomination and awarding process at murraystate.edu/distinguishedalumni. You can also nominate an alumnus/alumna for one of our annual alumni awards at murraystate.edu/alumni/awards.aspx. 

This podcast was produced with the help of Jim Ray Consulting Services and made possible by members of the Murray State University Alumni Association. Jim is a 1992 Murray State graduate. He can help you with the concept development, implementation, production and distribution of your own podcast, just as he has done for the MSUAA.

Not a current member of the MSUAA? Let's change that! Join today by visiting  murraystate.edu/alumni.

The views and opinions expressed during the Racer Alumni Podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Murray State University, its administration or the faculty at large. The episodes are designed to be inspiring and entertaining.