Morehead State University(MSU) is apublic universityinMorehead, Kentucky.The university began asMorehead Normal School,which opened its doors in 1887. TheCraft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics,a two-year residentialearly college high schoolon the university's campus, was established in 2014.
Former name | Morehead Normal School (1887–1922) Morehead State Normal School (1922–1926) Morehead State Normal School and Teachers College (1926–1930) Morehead State Teachers College (1930–1948) Morehead State College (1948–1966) |
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Motto | Lux |
Motto in English | Light |
Type | Public university |
Established | 1887 |
Academic affiliations | Space-grant |
Endowment | $71 million (2022)[1] |
President | Joseph A. (Jay) Morgan[2] |
Academic staff | 405[3] |
Administrative staff | 591[3] |
Students | 8,619 (fall 2023)[4] |
Undergraduates | 8,059 (fall 2023)[4] |
Postgraduates | 560 (fall 2023)[4] |
Location | ,, United States 38°11′20″N83°25′52″W/ 38.189°N 83.431°W |
Campus | Rural700 acres (2 km2) |
Colors | Blue and Gold[5] |
Nickname | Eagles |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division IFCS OVC,Pioneer Football League |
Mascot | Beaker |
Website | www |
History
editThe university began asMorehead Normal School,which opened its doors in 1887. One student appeared on the first day of class in October 1887, in a little, rented cottage where theAdron Doran University Centernow stands. The private school closed in the spring of 1922 when theKentucky General AssemblyestablishedMorehead State Normal School.The state institution accepted its first students in the fall of 1923, and graduated its first class in 1927. Name changes occurred again 1926, when it was extended toMorehead State Normal School and Teachers College;in 1930, when it was shortened to justMorehead State Teachers College;in 1948, when it was shortened again toMorehead State College;and, finally, toMorehead State Universityin 1966. Fourteen people, starting with Frank C. Button, have served as president. Joseph A. Morgan assumed office as the 14th president on July 1, 2017.[6]
Presidents
edit- Frank C. Button, 1923–29
- John Howard Payne, 1929–35
- Harvey A. Babb, 1935–40
- William H. Vaughan, 1940–46
- William J. Baird, 1946–51
- Charles R. Spain, 1951–54
- Adron Doran, 1954–77
- Morris L. Norfleet, 1977–84
- Herb. F. Reinhard Jr., 1984–86
- A.D. Albright, 1986–87
- C. Nelson Grote, 1987–92
- Ronald G. Eaglin, 1992–2004
- Wayne D. Andrews, 2005–2017
- Joseph A. Morgan, 2017–present[7]
Academics
editMorehead State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of theSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools.[8]It offers over 212 degree programs at the two-year, four-year, and graduate levels through four colleges: Caudill College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences; Elmer R. Smith College of Business and Technology; Ernst & Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education; and College of Science. It was the first institution in Kentucky to offer a complete degree program online, the Master of Business Administration (MBA). MSU is one of five institutions in the U.S. with a bachelor's degree inspace science.[3]Over 74,000 persons have received degrees from MSU.
Rankings
editAcademic rankings | |
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Regional | |
U.S. News & World Report[9] | 33 |
The 2025U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankingslisted Morehead State at 14th place among public "regional universities" in the South and 33rd overall among all regional universities in the South.[10]
Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics
editTheCraft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematicswas established in 2014. It is a two-year residentialearly college high schoolserving approximately 146 high school juniors and seniors at Morehead State University. Students live in Grote-Thompson Hall on campus and take MSU classes during their time at the academy, graduating with a Craft Academy high school diploma as well as at least 60 hours of MSU college credit, with tuition, room and board, and meal plan all free of charge. The academy is funded in large part byJoe Craftand AmbassadorKelly Craft,who donated over $10 million to the academy, the largest donation in MSU history.[11][12]
In 2019, the academy graduated its third class, with an averageACTscore of 31.[13]
Campus
editMorehead State University | |
Location | Bounded by University Blvd., Battson Ave. and Ward Oates Dr.,Morehead, Kentucky |
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Coordinates | 38°11′12″N83°26′03″W/ 38.1867°N 83.4341°W |
Area | 12 acres (4.9 ha) |
Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Collegiate Gothic |
NRHP referenceNo. | 94001381[14] |
Added to NRHP | November 25, 1994 |
Morehead State University is located in the foothills of theDaniel Boone National ForestinRowan County.The more than 700-acre main campus within the city limits ofMoreheadincludes more than 50 major structures with a total replacement value of more than $650 million. Beyond the city, the university's real estate holdings include the 320-acre Derrickson Agricultural Complex, Eagle Trace, a par-72, 6,902-yard public golf course, and 166 acres of the Browning Orchard. The instructional plant includes 135 classrooms and 150 laboratories. Housing facilities include space for approximately 2,900 students in a variety of living styles, including traditional residence halls, suites, and apartments. The second component of the Space Science Center opened in 2009—a $16.6 million instruction and research support facility.[3]
Morehead State University Historic District
editA portion of the campus was named as ahistoric districton theNational Register of Historic Places.Thecontributing propertiesinclude the following buildings: the President's Home, Senff Natatorium (demolished in 2008),[15]Button Auditorium, Fields Hall, Camden-Carroll Library, Allie Young Hall, Rader Hall, Grote-Thompson Hall, and the Breckenridge Training School.
Arts
editThe Morehead State University Arts and Humanities Council, established in 2003, encourages dialogue and partnerships in the arts.[16]Part of a larger initiative within the Caudill College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Council works to develop cultural opportunities both on and off campus. Morehead, long known for its patronage of the arts inKentuckywith such organizations as theKentucky Folk Art Center[17]and the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music,[18]was the childhood home of philanthropistLucille Caudill Little.Named after Lucille Little, MSU's Little Company is a touring troupe of students in the Theatre Department that performs plays and conducts workshops for up to 100 schools in the area each year.[19]Along with theatre, Morehead State University has a well-developed dance program. The Morehead Dance Ensemble, which one must audition for, presents a Spring Dance Concert, attends dance conferences, and engages in other projects.[20]
Morehead State Public Radio
editMorehead State Public Radio (MSPR) is governed by theBoard of Regentsat Morehead State University. MSPR is operated by its flagship stationWMKYat 90.3 FM in Morehead. WMKY in Morehead is licensed for 50,000 watts and serves more than 20 counties inKentucky,Ohio,andWest Virginia.The WMKY studios are located in Breckinridge Hall on the campus of Morehead State University. Since 1965, WMKY has served the communities of eastern Kentucky, southern Ohio, and western West Virginia. MSPR's mission to the region is to provide programming that is educational, informative, and entertaining. Through the work provided by a staff consisting of full-time directors, student interns, work studies, and community volunteers, MSPR offers regional news, public affairs, and documentary programming, as well as a variety of regional music programs consisting of classical, jazz, and Americana. MSPR produces regular daily newscasts and in-depth features on people, places, and events in the region.[21]
Athletics
editThe Morehead State athletic teams are called the Eagles. The eagle mascot is named Beaker, and the school colors are blue and gold. The university is a member of theNCAA Division Iranks (for football, theFootball Championship Subdivision), primarily competing in theOhio Valley Conference(OVC) since the 1948–49 academic year;[22][23]while its football team competes in thePioneer Football League(PFL). The Eagles previously competed in theKentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference(KIAC; now currently known as the River States Conference (RSC) since the 2016–17 school year) of theNational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics(NAIA) from 1933–34 to 1947–48; and in the defunctWest Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference(WVIAC) from 1929–30 to 1932–33.
Morehead State competes in 17 intercollegiate varsity sports:[24]Men's sports baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf and track & field; while women's include basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball; and co-ed sports include cheerleading, dance and rifle.
With 2017–18 being its initial season and the OVC not yet sponsoring the sport, the beach volleyball team will compete as an independent. The football team competes as a member of thePioneer Football League,a non-scholarship Division I (FCS) league.
Accomplishments
editTheMSU Eagles basketballwon the 2009 OVC tournament championship, sending them to theNCAA tournamentfor the first time since 1984. At the2011 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament,13th-seeded Morehead State upset Louisville 62–61. It was the second NCAA Tournament win for Morehead State in a three-year span. The Eagles also beat Alabama State in the 2009 Opening Round game. The Eagles then faced 12th-seeded Richmond in the third round, which was only the ninth time in tournament history that a 12–13 match-up occurred in the round of 32. The coed cheerleading squad has won 23 national championships, and the all-female squad has won 10 national titles.[25]The baseball team has won seven OVC conference titles, and the women's volleyball team has won the OVC conference title five times. The Eagles have appeared in theCollege Basketball Invitational(CBI) three times. Their combined record is 5–4.
Greek life
editResidence halls
editMorehead State University's Office of Student Housing provides residential options within the following residence halls:
- Andrews Hall
- Cartmell Hall
- Cooper Hall
- Craft Tower
- Eagle Lake Apartments
- East Mignon Hall
- Fields Hall
- Grote-Thompson Hall
- Lundergan Hall
- Mays Hall Apartments
- Mignon Hall
- Mignon Tower
- Normal Hall Apartments
- Nunn Hall
- Padula Hall
- West Mignon Hall[34]
Campus buildings/property
edit- Academic Athletic Center (AAC)
- Adron Doran University Center(ADUC)
- Alumni Relations and Development(Palmer House)
- Baird Music Hall
- Bert Combs Building
- Breckinridge Hall
- Browning Orchard
- Button Auditorium
- Camden-Carroll Library
- Center for Rural Development
- Challenge Course
- Chi Alpha Fellowship
- Claypool-Young Art Building
- Combs Building
- Cora Wilson Stewart Moonlight School
- Derrickson Agricultural Complex
- Eagle Athletics Guided Learning & Enhancement Center
- Eagle Lake
- Eagle Trace Golf Course
- East Parking Complex and Rocky Adkins Dining Commons (The Rock)
- Education Services Building
- Enrollment Services Center
- Ginger Hall
- Howell-McDowell Administration Building
- Innovation Launchpad
- Intramural/Soccer Practice Field
- Jayne Stadium
- Kentucky Center for Traditional Music
- Kentucky Folk Art Center
- Lappin Hall
- Laughlin Health Building
- Little Bell Tower
- Lloyd Cassity Building
- Lundergan Hall
- Newman Center (Catholic Student Center)
- President's Home
- Procurement Services
- Padula Hall
- Rader Hall
- Recreation & Wellness Center
- Reed Hall
- Rice Service Building (Facilities Management)
- Richardson Arena and Equine Health Education Center
- Fazoli's Breadstick Beach Volleyball Courts
- Space Science Center (Smith-Booth Hall)
- University Store
- University Farm
- University Softball Field
- Water Testing Laboratory
- Wesley Foundation (Methodist Student Center)
- 21M Space Tracking Antenna
- 342 (Baptist Campus Ministries)[35]
Notable alumni
edit- Rocky Adkins– senior advisor to GovernorAndy Beshear,former Kentucky state representative (D-District 99) and House minority floor leader
- Henry Akin– basketball player, drafted byNew York Knicks,became one of "Original Sonics" in Seattle, played with ABA'sKentucky Colonels
- Nelson Allen– formerKentuckystate senator
- Chris Bailey– meteorologist atWKYT-TV
- Desi Banks- Comedian
- William E. Barber–Marine Corpscolonel, recipient ofMedal of Honorfor actions duringKorean War
- John Blanton– Kentucky politician[36]
- Dennis M. Cavanaugh-United States District Judge
- Raymond Collins– American politician and educator
- Denny Doyle–MLBsecond baseman, 1970–1977
- Kenneth Faried– formerNBAplayer for theDenver Nuggets,Brooklyn Nets,andHouston Rockets,selected 22nd overall in2011 NBA draft
- Mike Gottfried– former head football coach at Kansas, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Murray State, current color commentator and analyst forESPN
- Steve Hamilton(1934–1997) – former MLB pitcher and professional basketball player
- Demonte Harper(born 1989) - basketball player in theIsraeli Basketball Premier League
- Jimmy Higdon–Republicanmember ofKentucky State Senatesince 2009, businessman fromMarion County
- David Hyland– defensive back forSan Jose SaberCatsofArena Football League
- Steve Inskeep(born 1968) –NPRMorning Editionhost replacing KentuckianBob Edwards
- Liz Johnson– professionalbowler
- Steve Kazee–Tony Award–winning actor for Best Musical
- Kelly Kulick– professional bowler and first-ever female winner of regularPBA Tourevent (2010 PBA Tournament of Champions)
- Karam Mashour(born 1991) – Israeli basketball player in theIsraeli Basketball Premier League
- Terry McBrayer– 1979 candidate forgovernor of Kentucky,former chairman ofKentucky Democratic Party,attorney inLe xing ton, Kentucky
- Bob McCann– professional basketball player
- Lori Menshouse– 1997Miss Kentucky,1999Miss Kentucky USA
- Chris Offutt– writer
- Amber Philpott– news anchor atWKYT-TV
- Jon Rauch– MLB pitcher 2002–13, Olympic gold medalist
- Phil Simms–NFLquarterbackforNew York Giants,MVP ofSuper Bowl XXI,15-year pro career, football analyst forCBStelevision
- Janet Stumbo– first woman elected toKentucky Supreme Court
- Dan Swartz– former NBA player withBoston Celtics
- David A. Tapp– judge,United States Court of Federal Claims
- Walt Terrell– MLB pitcher, 1982–1992
- Donnie Tyndall(born 1970) – basketball head coach,Tennessee,Southern Miss,Morehead State
- Robin L. Webb– former Kentucky state representative (District 96) and current state senator (18th District) and attorney
- Chuck Woolery– televisiongame showhost
References
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- ^Morehead State University – Office of the President,retrievedAugust 7,2017
- ^abcd"MSU At-a-Glance".Morehead State University.RetrievedSeptember 30,2022.
- ^abc"CPE Interactive Data Center".RetrievedFebruary 1,2024.
- ^"Morehead State University: Brand and Style Guide".RetrievedSeptember 30,2022.
- ^"History of MSU".RetrievedSeptember 30,2022.
- ^Morehead State University: Past Presidents,retrievedAugust 1,2017
- ^"Accreditation".RetrievedSeptember 30,2022.
- ^"2024-2025 Best Regional Universities Rankings".U.S. News & World Report.September 23, 2024.RetrievedNovember 22,2024.
- ^"2025 Top Public Universities in the South".U.S. News & World Report. September 24, 2024.RetrievedSeptember 24,2024.
- ^Althia Raj (July 4, 2018)."Life As Trump's Envoy In Ottawa Hasn't Been Easy On Kelly Craft, Friends Say".HuffPost Canada.
- ^"Morehead State University: Morehead State's Craft Academy continues to grow".Morehead State News.April 22, 2021.
- ^Kenny, Tom (October 19, 2019)."Morehead State to receive additional money for the Craft Academy".WTVQ.
- ^"National Register Information System".National Register of Historic Places.National Park Service.July 9, 2010.
- ^"Senff building demolished".The Morehead News.RetrievedMarch 5,2015.
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- ^"Morehead State University - Kentucky Folk Art Center".RetrievedSeptember 30,2022.
- ^"Morehead State University - Kentucky Center for Traditional Music".RetrievedSeptember 30,2022.
- ^"The Little Company".RetrievedSeptember 30,2022.
- ^"Dance Program".RetrievedSeptember 30,2022.
- ^"About Us".Morehead State Public Radio.RetrievedDecember 26,2014.
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- ^"OVC Member Institutions".Ohio Valley Conference.RetrievedSeptember 10,2015.
- ^"Morehead State Eagles".Morehead State University.RetrievedSeptember 10,2015.
- ^"All-Girl Cheer Wins Second Straight National Title".Morehead State Athletics. January 18, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 21,2015.
- ^Home @ pikappa Alpha hh.bravehost – A Bravenet Hosted Site,archived fromthe originalon July 8, 2011,retrievedSeptember 2,2007
- ^Morehead State University – Greek Affairs: Pi Kappa Phi,archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2007,retrievedSeptember 2,2007
- ^Morehead State University: Sigma Phi Epsilon,archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2007,retrievedSeptember 2,2007
- ^Sigma Pi Fraternity,archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2007,retrievedSeptember 2,2007
- ^Sigma Pi Fraternity >> Morehead State Chapter,archived fromthe originalon October 6, 2007,retrievedSeptember 27,2007
- ^Epsilon Theta Chapter,archived fromthe originalon October 10, 2008,retrievedSeptember 2,2007
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- ^Morehead State University – Housing Options,retrievedSeptember 30,2020
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- ^"John Blanton".Ballotpedia.RetrievedNovember 22,2023.