M Graduation Update
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THE MURRAY STATE M NEWS www.TheNews.org @TheMurrayStateNews @MurrayStateNews @TheMurrayStateNews @MurrayStateNews March 25, 2021 | Vol. 95, No. 21 NEWS OPINION SPORTS FEATURES Murray State to COVID-19 and Football dominates Students gain Murray Elementary Asian racism Tennessee State to reporting experi- remain undefeated ence at WKMS page 3 page 4 page 5 page 7 5 players depart men’s basketball program Gage Johnson Editor-in-Chief [email protected] After a season filled with dis- appointment from coaches, play- ers and fans alike, Murray State men’s basketball is losing a total of five players with two of the five being starters during last season. The first player to announce his departure from the Racers was ju- nior forward Brion Whitley. Whit- ley started the season as a key part of the rotation, even earning nine starts out of the 19 games he played. Graduation update Along with his infectious ener- Photo courtesy of Stephanie Anderson gy on the court, Whitley made an Allison Laski awaits her graduation ceremony in 2019 with her cap decorated with an inspirational message. impact throughout the communi- ty during his time with the Racers. Multiple in-person ceremonies planned for May “From the time I stepped foot on this campus in 2017, this commu- Gage Johnson and doctoral students only 300 students allowed to par- nity has shown me nothing but love Editor-in-Chief on Friday, May 7, at 7 p.m. ticipate in each ceremony. and support that I’ve never seen be- [email protected] The other three ceremonies are For those students interest- fore,” Whitley said in the letter he open to all 2020 and 2021 grad- ed in participating it is required posted on social media. “I poured On Tuesday, March 24, not uates. The three ceremonies all that you register online for what my all into the Murray State pro- long after announcing that take place on Saturday, May 8, you preferred ceremony would gram and truly came to an under- there were plans in place for an with the first at 8 a.m., the sec- be as well as your second choice. standing of what it meant to be a in-person graduation ceremo- ond at 11 a.m., with the third Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Racer. I hope I showed how much ny for the 2020 and 2021 grad- and final ceremony at 2 p.m. Monday, March 29, and closes I truly appreciated the opportunity uating class, Provost Tim Todd Because of COVID-19 there at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 23. that Murray State gave me by being gave the full details to facul- are plenty of safety protocols If seats are no longer avail- a star in whatever my roles was, a ty, staff and students via email. in place. For all of those at- able for the ceremony of one’s star teammate, a star ambassador for According to the email, there tending commencement, masks choosing, they will be part of the program and a star role model will be four separate in-per- must be worn and social dis- their second choice based on seat for those who are coming after me.” son graduation ceremonies tancing will be enforced in or- availability. If neither option is Another upperclassmen set in the CFSB Center for all der to help protect the health available, they will be a part of to wrap up his final chap- 2020 and sSpring and sSum- and safety of all in attendance. whatever ceremony has room. ter at Murray State is se- mer 2021 graduates as long as There will also be a limit- Each student will be allowed nior forward Devin Gilmore. all safety protocols are followed. ed capacity allowed to attend to have four family/friends be in Gilmore became known for his The first of the four cere- each approximately 90-min- see GRADUATION page 3 high-flying antics and energy on monies will be for master’s ute ceremony, with a max of both sides of the floor, finishing his career as a solid big off the bench. The forward could’ve returned Racer Room named after first Black student athlete for one last season because of Simon Elfrink COVID-19 rules, but he has de- Sports Editor cided to finish up his education [email protected] and try his hand at playing profes- sional basketball in the near future. On Sunday, March 21, Mur- “I want to take time to thank ev- ray State Athletics commem- eryone involved in the Murray State orated the new Racer Room basketball program for helping me in Dennis Jackson’s honor. on this part of my journey,” Gilmore Jackson, the first Black stu- said in the letter he posted on so- dent-athlete in Murray State his- cial media. “I also want to thank my tory, is a 2007 Murray State Hall teammates from over the years for of Fame inductee, having played having my back no matter what and for Murray State’s track team and turning into family. These four years Simon Elfrink/The News the football team from 1960-64. Murray State Athletics named the new Racer Room after the Racers’ first Black student-athlete, Dennis Jackson. have been amazing and have helped “Murray State Universi- shape me into who I am today… The ty: the sweetest name that because of the people that rep- but also his master’s, as well as a game of basketball is something that I know,” Jackson said. “You resent Murray State University.” professional certificate for school I’ve grown to love and I’m happy to know, it’s not a surprise to me Jackson took the student aspect of administration, an endorsement say I will be taking my talents to to see Murray State excel in all being a student-athlete to the ex- the profes- see SEASON, page 6 kinds of areas. Not only ath- treme, earning not only his bach- see JACKSON, page 2 sional level.” letically, but academically also, elor’s degree from Murray State 2 NEWS March 25, 2021 Simon Elfrink/The News Dennis Jackson is a 2007 Murray State Racers Hall of Fame Inductee. JACKSON From Page 1 for secondary school princi- pal for grades 7-12 and an endorse- ment for school superintendent. After his time on the track and the foot- ball field, Jackson passed on his knowl- edge by teaching health and physical ed- ucation at Trigg County Junior High School for a year before taking his ex- pertise to the Paducah Public Schools in 1968, where he taught the same sub- jects. In his time as a Paducah Public Schools affiliate, Jackson also taught his- tory and served as a football, basketball and track coach. For a period of time, Jackson also served as assistant principal. In light of Jackson’s living legacy, it was with great honor that Murray State Athlet- ics held the ceremony to commemorate the new Racer Room in his honor. President Bob Jackson led with opening words in the ceremony, explaining to those gathered the importance of Dennis Jackson’s con- tribution to Murray State over the years. “This day is overdue,” Jackson said. “I’m very glad that this Board of Regents Simon Elfrink/The News and this president and this administra- The Murray State football team gifted a signed helmet to Jackson in thanks for his legacy. tion is to bestow this honor on Mr. Jack- son. Mr. Jackson has dedicated his life to his family, his faith, assisting young peo- ple and serving public education. I’ve watched him do that for many years.” Murray State Director of Athlet- ics Kevin Saal thanked Dennis Jackson for being a trailblazer for student-ath- letes. Saal credited him for paving the way for the many Black student-ath- letes who have followed in his footsteps. “Thank you for the pain and sacrifice that you endured establishing a pathway for thousands of student athletes who have followed in your footsteps,” Saal said. President Jackson added his own words of thanks, reminding those gath- ered that while athletics aren’t the most focal point in a university’s char- acteristics, they are the collective “front porch” for many future students. “It provides many students an educa- tion. It’s a tool to make a difference in a student’s life,” Jackson said. “Dennis, Simon Elfrink/The News thank you for all that you do for this in- Dennis Jackson prepares to cut the ceremonial ribbon for the new Dennis Jackson Racer Room. stitution. Thank you for all you have done for this institution, [and] thank you for what he needed to in order to make the “If you need some help in whatever you your quiet, humble servant leadership. difference he wanted to see in the world, are doing, that’s what God is for,” Jack- Dennis Jackson gave a lot of credit to athletically and academically. He contin- son said. “Things that we can’t solve, his faith for his accolades and legacy on ued to emphasise the importance of faith, things we don’t have the answer to, the field, sharing his personal experi- leaving his gathered fans with encourag- he’s right there for us. He’s always put ence in prayer and reliance on God to do ing words to seek God in their own lives. somebody in place for you to talk to.” March 25, 2021 NEWS 3 Photo courtesy of Mabel’s Garden’s Facebook page From left to right, students Cassity Mitchell, Mika Hankins, Alyssa Trombetti, Presley Woodrum and assistant professor Alyx Shultz have been teaching about planting seeds and agriculture at Murray Elementary School.