Murray State gained a new global partner in education when an agreement was signed with Chinese university Zhejiang Wanli in September.

The partnership between the two universities began before any paperwork was started. Guangming Zou, interim director of Institute for International Studies, said he was in Hong Kong for an international conference in 2012, and he ran into the director of Zhejiang Wanli University’s international program.

Zou said both he and Wanli’s director expressed interest in a partnership, and it began there.

The partnership between Murray State and Wanli University allows for exchange programs between the two schools. Students might be able to study abroad as early as fall 2015, Zou said.

A transfer agreement was an additional addendum to the partnership. In a typical study abroad scenario, students from Wanli University would come to Murray State for a semester or year program, then return to their home university. With the transfer agreement, if they chose, students could transfer and actually earn their degree from Murray State.

Zou said Wanli University sent representatives to Murray State to look at three programs: business, biology and environmental science. They came to find out how much time it would take to complete a degree, which credits and how many credits would transfer. Zou said if Wanli University students choose to transfer to Murray State, they have to know what it takes to satisfy Murray State’s credit requirements.

“We are talking about internationalizing the campus,” Zou said. “The world is becoming flatter and flatter.”

The partnership with Zhejiang Wanli University is the newest international agreement for Murray State, but it is merely the latest in a healthy tradition of international relationships. Zou said Murray State has more than 1,000 international students, with 200 to 300 in the English as a Second Language program every semester.

Kang Xu first arrived in Murray in August 2012. His university in China, Qingdao Agricultural University, had a partnership with Murray State that allowed Xu to study abroad for a year.

After his year in Kentucky was over, Xu decided to remain at Murray State for his master’s.

Xu, now a graduate student, said the international office at his university provided students with information about the exchange program.

“Murray State University has a really great reputation of success among the students who have ever been there, which attracted me and a lot of students from Qingdao,” he said.

Xu said there are numerous benefits to studying in foreign countries, including the chance to learn a different language.

“Languages, knowing and understanding other cultures, customs and values, not only broaden how you look at this colorful ‘world village,’ but also help students to find their life goals in wider geographic dimensions,” he said.

Xu complimented Murray State’s Institute for International Studies for the work it does recruiting students from other countries. He said the University is doing fantastic work with international involvement.

“Without the hard work from MSU’s staff and faculty, we wouldn’t have had chances to meet so many talented students from each part of the world through all kinds of activities,” Xu said.

Jay Morgan, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, said the University’s Institute for International Studies has worked on the agreement with Zhejiang Wanli for months.

“It is a great opportunity for students to study in China at a very good university and then transfer the credits back to Murray State,” Morgan said.

The new partnership with Wanli University is one of more than 50 such agreements Murray State has with international schools. Universities partnered with Murray State are spread across the globe in Asia, Europe, Central and South America.

Story by Kate Russell, Staff writer

Ron Crouch, director of Research and Statistics for the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, spoke Tuesday afternoon in Freed Curd Auditorium about changing demographic patterns in the U.S., Kentucky and specifically Calloway County.

Crouch stressed the relationship between the decline in births of white Americans since the baby boomer generation and the continued growth of the country’s international populations and what effect this will have.

From 2010-2013 two-thirds of Kentucky’s growth in population was due to natural increase, having more births than deaths, and one-third was due to international immigration. Crouch said the U.S., Canada and Australia are the only countries experiencing any growth and, for the U.S., growth is only coming from the black, Hispanic and Asian communities.

In Murray’s purchase area, Graves County was the only county with more births than deaths as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.

“What I’m about to say gets me in trouble sometimes,” Crouch said. “But we need to pay the Minutemen to go down to the Mexican border. Not to build walls, but actually to open up lemonade stands and give Hispanics who cross the border free lemonade and cookies.”

Apart from addressing population trends in his presentation, Crouch also talked about stereotypes concerning tax reform, the preparedness and performance of Kentucky high school graduates in college and what job industries in the Commonwealth were growing and declining.

According to predictions from the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, job growth from 2010-2020 will come in three major occupational groups: healthcare practitioners and technical occupations, office and administrative support occupations and transportation and material moving occupations with growths of 24.9 percent, 10.1 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

Jay Morgan, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, said he invited Crouch to speak because he thought it would be beneficial to hear about changing demographic trends as the University moves forward with its new strategic plan and for general planning purposes.

“I don’t know if any one certain bullet point will shape our curriculum,” Morgan said. “But generally it makes us begin to think about how do we make sure we meet the rising demand for certain jobs and how do we make sure we have programs that meet those needs. And also how do we look at existing programs where the job outlook maybe is not quite so bright and shift those resources to something that might serve us better.”

Morgan said some of the statistics from the presentation that stuck out to him were those dealing with high school students in Calloway County.

According to the 2013 Kentucky High School Feedback Report produced by the Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics, 54.8 percent of graduates from the Calloway County school district were not prepared for college-level math, 39.7 percent were not prepared for college-level English and 51.6 percent were not prepared for college-level reading. Of these 2010-2011 graduates from the area, more than 70 percent attended Murray State.

President Davies said he has paid attention to demographic trends for the past five years, especially in the past year to those in the Calloway County area as he became a candidate for presidency at Murray State. He said demographic data is something universities should be paying attention to.

“As we look at the strategic planning process, take notice of this data, understand this data, the implications that it has, then we can start wrestling with it,” Davies said. “Once you know what’s out there, what the shifts are, what the challenges are and what the changes are we can use that information to make decisions, to design new programs academically and to design programs student service-wise as well.”

Story by Ben Manhanke, Staff writer

The empty seat of Faculty Regent has been filled by newly elected Regent Martin Jacobs, professor of education.

Jacobs, who has 16 years as an educator under his belt, was elected Wednesday after a vote on MyGate.

Running against Jacobs was James “Corky” Broughton, professor in the School of Nursing and Health Professions.

Elections were held Monday and Tuesday, following an open forum for the candidates held in Wrather Auditorium Oct. 9.

Jacobs said after the announcement as newly elected Regent, he was welcomed with congratulations.

“There’s been a lot going on and it’s been so great to get so many well wishes from so many people,” Jacobs said. “It’s definitely building the confidence and the focus.”

He said the election as Faculty Regent is amidst an energetic time at the University, which has been due to the strong impression President Bob Davies has instilled during his first few months at Murray State.

He said along with the strategic initiatives plan that is being formed, he feels good about the new position.

Jacobs said he felt his experience at the University, along with some colleague encouragement, inspired him to run for the position.

“I have been involved in advocating for faculty and students in the time I’ve been at Murray State University, and I think that we’ve had a number of years in the state of Kentucky where there have been tough economic times,” he said. “It’s been tough on faculty, staff and students. I think this is a time to step up and move things forward in developing initiatives and advocating for the University for the funding we need.”

He said such funding includes wages for faculty and staff, but it always comes back to the students.

As a teacher for his entire professional life, Jacobs said he sees the University as student-centered, and hope that during this time everything can come together.

He said as a Regent, he intends to become as well-informed as he can and develop as many perspectives as possible.

While he has officially been voted Faculty Regent, he said this next period of time for him is a time of learning, orientation and developing connections.

“We have a board meeting in December; I have to fully prepare for that,” Jacobs said. “But I have been on the Faculty Senate, so to really continue the good networks with Dr. Goggins and the leadership within that. I think it’s a time to learn quite a bit, but within the learning to really set up some action planning and way the faculty can be really productive in setting the kind of policy and really moving forward.”

Story by Mary Bradley, Editor-in-Chief

Jenny Rohl/The News
Junior runningback Pokey Harris runs past the Austin Peay State defense.

It was a slippery slope for the Racers as fumbles dominated the game against the Austin Peay State Governors Saturday at the new Governors Stadium.

A pass from redshirt sophomore quarterback K.D. Humphries to sophomore receiver Jesse Blackburn was apparently fumbled and recovered by the Governors to the endzone, but was ruled on the field to be an incomplete pass. On the very next play, a handoff to sophomore runningback Marcus Holliday slipped out of his hands but was called down. On the next snap, Humphries fumbled the ball but recovered it for a slight loss. This series of botched plays forced the Racers to punt on their opening drive for the second time this season. The only other occurance of an opening-play punt this season was during the Louisville game.

The Racers were able to come out with the lead at first with a 36-yard field goal by junior kicker Carson Greifenkamp just under ten minutes into the first quarter.

The Governors were the victims of slick hands in the second quarter as they fumbled but were able to recover. A pass from quarterback Mickey Macius intended for receiver Jared Beard was dropped directly out of Beard’s hands. The Governors attempted to fake a punt for a first down with 3:30 left in the first half, but the Racers got the stop and took over at their own 46-yard line.

An incomplete pass intended for junior receiver Janawski Davis kicked off a series of unfortunate plays for the Racers. On the next pass, Austin Peay’s sophomore cornerback Roderick Owens intercepted and returned the ball 39 yards to the Murray State 30-yard line. Governor quarterback Mickey Macius connected with freshman wide receiver Jared Beard for a 30-yard touchdown. Austin Peay took their first lead in a football game since their 2013 game against Southeast Missouri State University.

The Racers came back to action quickly in an attempt to make it down the field before the end of the half. Humphries made two consecutive successful handoffs to Holliday for a large gain before Holliday fumbled on the third. The Governors recovered at their own 23-yard line.

The half ended with Austin Peay leading Murray State 7-3.

The Racers wasted no time in working their way back to a lead in the second half. Harris carried 24 yards for a Racer touchdown just three minutes into the third quarter. Greifenkamp made the extra point and the Racers took the lead 10-7.

Austin Peay’s Macius and Beard changed the game once again with six minutes left to play in the third when they connected for a seven-yard touchdown pass. Freshman kicker Dakota Vincil missed the PAT, and the lead stayed 13-10 with 6:01 left to play in the third quarter.

The Racers’ next series looked hopeful as they worked their way down the field. Starting at the ten-yard line, Humphries scrambled before sending a pass into the endzone to be intercepted by Roderick Owens once again. Owens fumbled out of bounds, but Austin Peay received the touchback and took over from the 20-yard line.

An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called on both sides, offsetting for an Austin Peay fourth down. The Racers were penalized for stepping over their opponent after the play, and the Governors for a shove that ensued. Austin Peay was forced to punt, and Davis fumbled on the return, which was recovered by Owens at the Murray State 20-yard line.

Macius connected with his receiver, Jared Beard, for the third time of the night for a touchdown. The extra kick was good and the Governors took the lead 20-10 with just 26 seconds left in the third quarter.

A fumble finally fell into the Racers’ hands with just over seven minutes left to play in the game. Austin Peay’s freshman runningback Otis Gerron was forced to fumble by Murray State’s Travis Taylor, and was recovered by Demetrius Mason at the Austin Peay 31-yard line.

The Racers worked their way into position for a field goal, and junior kicker Carson Greifenkamp added three points to the board from the 28-yard line. The Governors held onto a 7-point lead with 4:59 left to play.

After a series of plays and a forced punt by the Governors, the Racers took over from their own 44-yard line. They worked their way downfield before a fumble changed the game yet again. Humphries completed a pass to Harness for 11-yards to the Austin Peay 26-yard line before Austin Peay’s Montez Carlton forced the fumble and the Governors recovered. Austin Peay began their drive with just 3:01 left in the game.

The clock wound down as the Governors made their way down the field, winning their first game of the season 20-13.

PADUCAH — With the heated Nov. 4 Senate election only two weeks away, Alison Lundergan Grimes brought former President Bill Clinton to western Kentucky to a crowd of 1,750 on Tuesday.

Clinton reinforced many of the themes Grimes has been highlighting during her challenge to Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, including bringing more jobs to Kentucky, raising the minimum wage, securing healthcare and getting the economy in Kentucky going.

He said it is crucial student loan interest rates be lowered, so student’s can spend less time paying them back.

“This isn’t Rocket Science, it’s simple,” he told the crowd at McCracken County High School.

Clinton praised Grimes as a candidate, saying she hasn’t broken under the weight of $50 million in negative campaign ads run against her by McConnell’s campaign and Republican groups.

“We aren’t going to get anywhere hating our neighbors,” Clinton said.

Clinton ended his speech by saying Grimes has the best interest of Kentuckians at heart and that he loved the crowd. Earlier in the day, the former president was in Owensboro campaigning for Grimes.

This is the third time Clinton has campaigned for her in this year’s U.S. Senate race.

This isn’t the first time Clinton has come to Paducah, Ky. The night before the 1992 Presidential Election, he was in Paducah. He spoke of that night and recalls losing his voice and saying to the people, “If you will be my voice tomorrow, I will be your voice for the next four years.”

Grimes has tried to capitalize on Clinton’s support. While she has gone out of her way to avoid saying much about President Barack Obama, she praised Clinton – the last Democratic presidential candidate to carry Kentucky.

“I am a Clinton Democrat and that’s the kind of senator I will be for Kentucky,” Grimes said.

During her speech, Grimes showed support for term limits for U.S. senators.

“I will be handing (McConnell) his term limit on November 4^th, and then we will go to Washington and work for term limits because 30 years is long enough,” Grimes said, referencing McConnell’s time in office.

Gov. Steve Beshear, former Gov. Martha Layne Collins, Attorney General Jack Conway and former Gov. Julian Carroll appeared at the rally to show support for Grimes.

Grimes said she will be a senator for the people of Kentucky and will keep their best interest in mind in Washington D.C.

“I’ve given every ounce of energy I have over the last two years, because I believe 30 years is long enough,” she said. “We have someone who has turned his back on the people of this state.”

Grimes criticized McConnell’s attendance rate during his time in office.

“If you showed up to work 7 percent of the time, you would be fired and with your help Mitch McConnell will be too,” Grimes said.

She discussed coal, one of the main issues in the election. Grimes said on McConnell’s watch, thousands of coal jobs have been lost and one of her main goals in office is to fix that loss.

Grimes touched on issues regarding rising the minimum wage, lowering student loan interest rates and strengthening the middle class in Kentucky.

She said even though her opponent claims she will be on the back of the bench on voting for important issues for the state, it will not be the case.

“This Kentucky woman will not sit on the back of the bench, no Kentucky woman ever will,” she said.

The latest Bluegrass Poll, released Monday, showed McConnell with a one-point lead over Grimes, 44-43. The poll has a 3.9-point error margin.

In the last Bluegrass Poll issued two weeks ago, Grimes had a two-point lead over McConnell. In August, McConnell had a four-point lead against his Democrat opponent.

Allison Moore, spokeswoman for McConnell’s campaign, issued the following statement in response to Grimes’ rally: “It’s a good thing there are only two weeks left until the election because Alison Lundergan Grimes’ blunder of a campaign has finally hit rock bottom. Kentuckians have already figured out that Grimes relies on false attacks and baseless claims when she has either lost her Obama policy manual, her hypocrisy has again been exposed, or when she’s trying to cover up her dad’s purchase of Silent Bob’s bus for her campaign to ride in luxury.”

Story by Rebecca Walter, News Editor 

Don’t miss our story on Sen. Mitch McConnell’s visit to Murray last week. Find the story here: http://thenews.org/2014/10/17/senator-visits-local-briggs-and-stratton/

NOTE: The Murray State News does not support any political candidate. Any information in stories is a collection of information from events and/or statistics. This information does not express the view of The Murray State News as a news organization.

Jenny Rohl/The News
Sophomore libero Ellie Lorenz sets a ball at practice Tuesday at Racer Arena.

After two wins last weekend, the Racer volleyball team is now 7-1 in the OVC and solo atop the conference standings.

Coming back from their 2013 season finish of 6-10 in the conference and a 2012 season of 4-12, the Racers have turned their fortune around.

“I think the team has all around just grown up,” said Head Coach David Schwepker. “We had a lot of young team members last year, and it’s hard to play at this level that young. The girls have grown together and learned how to work off each other. Hopefully they continue to grow and take every chance to learn a lesson.”

Including today’s match against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the Racers have eight regular season games left before the OVC Tournament.

“We’re halfway and it’s tough to determine how we will do,” Schwepker said. “I don’t know what the magic number is to get us into the tournament, but I do know we are working hard and it’s great to see us doing so well.”

The Racers passed a key test Friday with a three-set win over Belmont (6-2) in Nashville, Tenn. The Racers started with a back and forth battle in the first set before putting it away, 25-22. The women finished off the other two sets with scores of 25-21 and 25-19.

“We could have played better,” Schwepker said. “What I did like is that they kept playing and did not let the mistakes get to them. The team went hard and finished on top, which is what matters.”

The next day the Racers held a consistent score on all three sets against Tennessee State (2-6). They came out ahead of the Tigers 25-17 in the first set, 25-16 in the second and 25-17 in the third.

“We started all the sets pretty back and forth,” said Kristen Besselsen, redshirt sophomore from St. Louis. “Once we hit the 10-point mark we just kept going up. They made a lot of errors and we didn’t.”

Schwepker said Tennessee State wasn’t at full strength, with some players out on injuries. Schwepker noted that the Tigers could be dangerous once they’re healthy again.

After the team faces SIUE today in Racer Arena at 7 p.m., it will face Eastern Illinois Saturday at 11 a.m., also at home.

“The greatest thing we could have are our fans,” Schwepker said. “We used to do bad at home because they weren’t sure how to play together. Now they are confident and it pays off to see their friends and family in the bleachers. We love to have everyone get loud and crazy; it motivates the team.”

The Racers have played the weekend’s upcoming opponents on the road, winning in four sets against each.

Story by Kelsey Randolph, Assistant Sports Editor

Kimberly Mason, director and case manager at the Gentry House, could hear the phone ringing before she could get the door open to her office.

While on the phone she explained to a client how to fill out an application for Gentry House, but informed her that she would be put on a waiting list until a unit became available.

The bustling transitional shelter was ready to close down less than a year ago.

The Gentry House provides temporary housing for families in need. Mason said that 3 to 4 families are on the waiting list at any given time.

THE ‘COUCH-SURFING HOMELESS’

The Gentry House is the only homeless shelter within a 20-mile radius of Murray.  The Graves County Mayfield Mission is the next closest shelter. Mason said many Murray citizens do not believe there is a homeless population in the city.

“In Murray it’s not people on corners holding signs, it’s the couch-surfing homeless,” she said.

In its report to Murray City Council, the Gentry House said homelessness in rural areas looks different than in urban ones. Homeless families in rural areas may stay in temporary housing like motel rooms, campers and vehicles.

HOW GENTRY HOUSE HELPS

The goal of the Gentry House is to help the homeless help themselves, according to its mission statement.

In the 2014 fiscal year the Gentry House reported helping 18 adults and 27 children. More than 32 percent of those children were less than 5 years old. The Gentry House targets families because homelessness presents dangerous situations for children especially.

“We’ve helped 15 families since January and I think we will help up to 40 before the year is over,” Mason said.

Applicants are required to have full custody of their children, they must have an income and pass a background check before being approved.

The Gentry House reported that 38  percent of its clients were between the ages of 26 and 33 and 71 percent were female.

Mason said clients are housed in fully-furnished two-bedroom apartments rent-free and utility-free for up to 90 days.

The Gentry House reported 14 percent of its clients were victims of domestic violence seeking shelter and 37 percent were there because they were unable to afford housing and utilities.

“Everybody who comes here has a different situation,” Mason said.

BACK FROM THE BRINK

In December 2013, the Gentry House board of directors voted to close the agency because it lacked sufficient funding.

In January 2014, Mayor Bill Wells proposed that the city and county each give the Gentry House additional funds to keep its doors open. The board met later and retracted its decision to close.

Robert Lyons, assistant dean-professor of Education, is the new board chairman for the Gentry House.

“Grant funding dried up and there is always lag time between need and donations,” he said.

The Gentry House hired a volunteer director during the spring and summer to save money for this fall and winter.

Lyons said the Gentry House would be able to cover 90 percent of its expenses this fiscal year.

“We’ve got enough money on hand to pay utilities, maintenance and operational expenses and salaries through July 1,” he said.

The new director, Mason, was hired in September to assist with fundraising and grant writing. She said she had to start from scratch revising policies and procedures.

“It’s been crazy and good all at the same time,” she said.

Recently the Gentry House submitted a grant to the Calloway County Rotary Club requesting funding for educational programs that would be offered to tenants.

“We want to teach classes about financing, parenting and coping skills,” she said.

Because the Gentry House is a nonprofit agency, it is responsible for self-funding annually.

Lyons said the Gentry House accumulated approximately $10,000 from fundraising in the 2014 fiscal year.

“The main responsibility of the board is to fundraise,” he said.

On Oct. 13, Wells named Nov. 15-23 to be “Hunger and Homeless  Week.”

During this week the Gentry House will distribute miniature bank houses to schools to collect change for its fund, take up donation offerings at churches and request rebate nights at local businesses.

“Each year we plan on doing something bigger and better,” Mason said.

The Gentry House reported receiving $12,000 from the city and county and more than $6,000 from churches.

Kate-la Nicholson, senior from Fulton, Ky., said she volunteered at  the Gentry House for one of her classes.

“Even if you are attending school or have a job you can come here to get back on your feet,” she said.

Nicholson said she heard about the Gentry House at a nonprofit connections event hosted earlier this year.

She is accompanied by three other volunteers at Gentry House who help with daily projects and fundraising.

Lyons said next year he wants to work with student groups on campus to raise awareness about homelessness and the services the Gentry House provides.

“It is just as important as other causes the University supports, but it’s not something that people like to talk about,” he said.

Story by Mari-Alice Jasper, Staff writer

“We feed from the scraps that befall the grace of ‘Great Men’s Jowls.”

I first heard this line from its original author and future novelist Connor Jaschen.

We were having an everyday conversation about ladies and literature, and he dropped this line on me from the novel he is writing. It had a much greater impact on me than he thought it would.

I consider myself an avid reader and few lines in literature give me goosebumps like this line did. In today’s society, everything trickles down and 99 percent of us are at the bottom waiting for the scraps that somehow slip through the cracks.

“Land of the free and home of the brave” is beginning to turn into a business entity. With the current for-profit healthcare and education system, our basic rights are still available to us, but are being monetized right under our noses. We have the right to live and be healthy, but that doesn’t mean we have the ability to.

For those that aren’t fortunate enough to be able to afford health insurance, a child with an illness is enough to put a family in debt for the rest of that child’s life. 

I’m sure we have all seen the pictures on the Internet of outrageous medical bills for small non-serious injuries – some of these numbers being upward of $65,000 for a simple surgical procedure.

If you don’t have health insurance, all of this comes out of pocket. If you can’t afford health insurance in the first place you’re going to have to strike a deal with King Midas himself to get those medical bills paid.

Also, think about what incentive there is to release a cure for a chronic illness?

If you are a part of the unlucky percentage of the population to be plagued by a chronic illness, you have just become a lifetime paycheck for a gentleman who scuffs a $14,000 table as he props his well-oiled $3,000 loafers upon it to thumb through the money he collected by selling a treatment. Why cure it, when you can just sell the prescriptions?

This strikes close to home for many, including myself. I have seen amazing people in my life suffer from Alzheimer’s and diabetes only to be sold medications to keep them alive long enough to buy it again next month.

If the money you spent on all of these healthcare bills went to fund future medical research or went to the care of those less fortunate, we wouldn’t make much of a fuss about it. But when our right to health and life is monetized and someone makes a profit off of that, our eyes should be opened.

Many insurance companies see us as just a name on a list, a dollar in the bank and a ballot in a box. When we run out of money to send to someone higher up in the socioeconomic food chain, what use do they have for us then?

Now let’s talk about the for-profit higher education system that has become more prevalent in recent years.

We say we want kids to go to college to earn a higher education, but we put them in tens of thousands of dollars of debt for them to do so. I know people who have come out of school in $45,000 worth of debt to go home and work middle management at a fast food chain.

You may think this is preposterous, but a degree doesn’t guarantee a job. It will help your chances to get one, but in reality you will pay thousands of dollars and spend four years of your life for a slip of paper that can be used as a receipt to prove you spent the money to earn your level of education.

Think about how crippling student loans will affect the economy in the long run. As student loan interest rates and college tuition rise like they have in years past, a whole new generation of newly employed millennials will have no choice but to be frugal. When they enter the workforce under thousands of dollars in debt, all of their money goes to food and student loan payments so they can try and pay it off as quickly as possible.

This is all money they will not be putting back into the economy and we will see a general decrease as younger generations become more frugal than previous generations.

In the past when a student graduated with a degree, they started a well-paying job that they got with said degree and immediately started to buy houses and cars that have heated seats and automatic windows.

Now, recent graduates are crashing on their parents’ couch and hoping their ’98 civic keeps running until they can actually find a job with a degree they paid $55,000 for.

When does it stop? What other parts of our lives can we transform from unalienable rights into a profit? We need to be aware of what’s happening.

The longer we are simply dollar bills to someone our names will start to fade. Once you accept only being a paycheck for someone, you become less of what makes you an individual.

Don’t be at the bottom begging for scraps from these so-called “Great Men.” You are too good to beg and you deserve the very best of what life has to offer.

Don’t spend it accepting what you’ve been given as you shove scraps into your pockets.

Column by Zac Garrison, Senior from Franklin, Ky.

The virus Ebola, now ravaging several West African countries, turned from jokes to rumors last week as concerns of a possibly infected student on Murray State’s campus grew.

These rumors sparked response from President Bob Davies Monday morning.

Students, faculty and staff received an email from Davies addressing these rumors and informing the University about what measures are being taken to ensure there are no infected persons on campus.

     Karson Crass, sophomore from Murray, said she was unaware of the rumor before receiving the email, but was not surprised to hear there was one.

“With all the media coverage on Ebola everybody is getting a little hysterical about it,” she said. “‘Oh, we’ve got students here from Africa, they probably have Ebola.’ ‘Gosh, did you hear we have Ebola here?’”

Rachelle Peck, senior, said she learned of the rumor from a tweet she read.  

“I didn’t necessarily believe the rumor, but obviously with as much attention as Ebola is getting these days you can’t help but be a little nervous,” Peck said. “Also, the fact that we have so many international students here at Murray who may have come in contact with the areas that are affected made (the post) a little more believable.”

Murray State is hardly alone when it comes to false claims and rumors about Ebola-infected persons.

Stories of false infections have bombarded the media in the past month since the first case of Ebola was reported in the U.S. by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since the virus’ arrival in America, the CDC was flooded with more than 800 false claims of Ebola per day, according to the United Kingdom news outlet Daily Mail.

Jay Morgan, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, said the rumor started after word got out about a Murray State student who recently returned from studying abroad in Africa and was tested for Ebola.

“We asked that individual if they would go through a voluntary medical check, just for precaution,” he said. “They were very cooperative. There was nothing found, they are okay and there is no issue.”

He also added that the country the student traveled from already was cleared by the CDC of Ebola.

Morgan echoed Davies’ email that an infection in Murray is unlikely because of its rural area, limited international travel of the populace and the lack of a major metropolitan airport near the city.

However, he said, the University is still exercising safety measures stipulated by the CDC, as well as other health precautions.

“Our operating procedure has just been one of caution and common sense,” Morgan said. “Until students hear from the University that there is an actual case (of Ebola), basically everything they hear is rumor.”

Judy Lyle, associate director of Health Services, said this semester no students have come to Health Services suspecting they have Ebola.

She said they haven’t received phone calls from students’ parents expressing a fear of the virus being on campus which surprised her.

“There’s a nationwide panic about this in the media,” Lyle said. “Is it justified? I do think people ought to be concerned, but be concerned for more reasons than just one specific disease.”

She said one of her main concerns about health safety on campus isn’t Ebola, but the flu season.

Ebola and the flu share common symptoms including fever, headache, muscle weakness, pain and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

While Lyle said she was not worried about an increase in students with self-diagnosed cases of Ebola during flu season, she said Health Services will remain vigilant in their inspection of students to make sure it is flu symptoms that they are suffering from and not something else.

Story by Ben Manhanke, Staff writer

Leaves are changing colors, sporting events are in full swing, but what students catch this fall may not be a football.

Flu season is right around the corner, and college students have a high risk of catching the illness. Health Services is pursuing ways to help students to fight the flu before it starts.

Vaccinations will be offered on campus Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Curris Center Dance Lounge as part of a flu shot clinic.

Judy Lyle, associate director of Health Services, is excited to administer the flu vaccinations for the third consecutive year.

“Our goal is to immunize as many students as possible,” Lyle said. “You never know how severe flu is going to be each year. We have had a documented case on campus and just a little bit of exposure can get it started.”

Lyle said it could be as easy as someone sneezing and the droplets contacting their desk to get someone sick. If the next person who sits at the desk rubs it and later rubs their nose or eyes, the flu may be spread.

Students are within close confines in the classroom and residential colleges. Therefore, the flu shot can benefit all students, whether living on or off campus, Lyle said.

Whitney Ballard, employee health nurse at Murray-Calloway Hospital, said stress and poor nutrition are factors most college students must overcome to fight the flu.

“If stress levels are high, your immune system levels will be low,” Ballard said. “We should all take precautions like washing your hands as often as possible, as well as any time before or after you eat, blow your nose or come into contact with anyone else.”

It is also important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the flu in order to reduce the effects of the illness, Ballard said.

Common symptoms include a fever of 100 degrees or higher, coughing or sore throat, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue.

With any immunization, complications may arise. However, Lyle said that the most problems that students will have with the flu shot will be a sore arm.

“Immunization will decrease your chance of getting the flu,” Lyle said. “But if you do get (the flu), it will be less severe.”

Lyle said that if students catch the flu, they could expect to be sick for one week and feel fatigued the next week.

Some students may also be at a higher risk to catch the flu than others.

“Students that have issues with asthma or any underlying medical condition should definitely consider getting the flu shot,” Lyle said.

One factor students may see as an advantage is the cost of the flu shot at the clinic. Vaccinations given by Health Services or senior nursing students that work alongside nurse practitioners are free.

Receiving a flu shot from a pharmacy costs approximately $25, Lyle said. Flu shots given at doctor’s offices could include the price of the vaccine plus a co-pay.

Health Services has 200 vaccinations available for students wishing to receive a shot. Last year, 97 students took advantage of this opportunity.

The vaccinations will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Health services will continue to administer the vaccinations if there are any left over after Tuesday’s event.

Story by Tiffany Whitfill, Staff writer

Haley Hays/The News
Murray State’s hemp crop was harvested Wednesday with good and bad results.

“If you grow it, they will come,” said Chris Nelson from Marshall, Mo., standing in the remains of Murray State’s hemp crop, which was harvested Wednesday.

Nelson is one of many who attended the Hutson School of Agriculture’s pre-session to the second National Bioenergy Day celebration.

Nelson periodically traveled between Murray and Marshall since the hemp was first planted in May, taking pictures and gathering information on the growing process. He said his interest will hopefully inspire similar operations in his home state.

Local Kentucky farmers interested in growing hemp, state officials from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture  and University faculty and staff curious about the results of hemp efforts also attended the pre-session.

Tony Brannon, dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture, said the Huston School decided to host the pre-session because of the large amount of press the project has generated in the state and the nation.

Murray State’s research, as dictated by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, concerned the effect row widths and planting populations would have on the yield of the crop.

Planting populations of 25 and 40 pounds were planted in a 1.5 acre plot behind the Murray State Equine Center at West Farm using 7.5, 15 and 20-inch rows. Seeds were planted May 12 and again June 12. The latter crops were primarily left to be harvested this week.

Brannon said the University’s findings could be summarized as, “the good, the bad and the ugly.”

The good: in growing hemp, Murray State found that the largest yields were brought about by seeds that were planted without being tilled. The hemp grew fast in Kentucky’s climate, going from waist-height to shoulder-height in a week’s time, with some plants growing to be as large as 10-12 feet. The average height for the plants was 8-9 feet, and those planted in June were much shorter.

The bad: the University’s hemp crop did not germinate well in a traditional seed bed, tilled and packed with soil or in rainy conditions. Brannon said the school’s lack of knowledge of “when to do what and how” contributed to many of the adverse findings, but these were learning experiences as well.

The ugly: “It’s an ugly plant,” Brannon said. “It’s just not a pretty plant in maturity.”

However, the Hutson School of Agriculture had more to celebrate than bioenergy and the completion of its hemp harvest Wednesday.

During his pre-session presentation, Chris Boucher, vice president of Agricultural Hemp for U.S. Hemp Oil, a division of CannaVest, gave the Hutson School of Agriculture a check for $10,200. This money represented two non-recurring $3,600 undergraduate student work fellowship scholarships and a $3,000 stipend for the cost of its work.

CannaVest was responsible for supplying Murray State with the hemp seeds as well as those used at Eastern Kentucky University. The company specializes in developing, producing, marketing and selling hemp-based compounds and products and is based out of California.

“I think in the long term we can provide jobs and product (in Kentucky) and, most importantly, get more people involved in the agricultural hemp industry,” Boucher said.

He said in the next one or two years, CannaVest will begin the construction of several processing mills for cleaning seeds and wrapping hemp fibers for delivery, and a larger main factory in Kentucky. To sustain a hemp-growing business, he said they would need to grow a minimum of 10,000 to 20,000 acres of hemp by contracting out local farmers.

Following the presentations, the last of the hemp crop was harvested in a demonstration using machines donated by the AGCO Corporation, an agriculture equipment company based in Deluth, Georgia.

The Hutson School of Agriculture will compile its findings for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for a presentation in December along with the other Kentucky universities who conducted research . A final report will be submitted to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture in March.

Story by Ben Manhanke, Staff writer

Haley Hays/The News

(WITH VIDEO) – On the Carr Health Building lawn, students, faculty and staff gathered, urging the community to speak publicly about racism on campus and change what has become a pattern of intolerance.

Beginning at 10 a.m., the “Eracism” teach-in was created to bring all members of Murray State together through a full day of speeches and conversation, and ended with a panel discussion titled, “Race and Courage in the Age of Yik Yak.”

FACULTY AND STAFF ON RACISM

Co-hosts and professors Peter Murphy and Mary-Tripp Reed, who were two of eight faculty, started the event that was created along with several students.

     The first speech was the reading of a letter from President Bob Davies by Senior Presidential Adviser Renee Fister.

    In the letter, Davies said Murray State is a “marketplace of ideas,” that depends on open thought and new paradigms.

    “As part of this openness to new ideas and thoughts, we must further embrace our commitment to a diverse university community,” Davies said. “This includes not only a diverse population of students, faculty and staff based on gender, race, religion, color and creed; but also includes the sexual orientation of our members as well political thought, socioeconomic status and many other dimensions of diversity.”

Following Davies’ letter, Don Robertson, vice president of Student Affairs and chair of the President’s Commission on Diversity Inclusion, spoke. Robertson said Murray State should be safe for students to express their individuality and uniqueness – a part of the Student Affairs mission statement. 

“As such, racism and bigotry has no place in this mission and certainly has no place in our campus community,” Robertson said.

Other speakers included:

• Assistant professor of Humanities and Fine Arts, Carrie Jerrell

• Assistant professor of Humanities and Fine Arts, Drew Seib

• Assistant professor of Humanities and Fine Arts, Brian Clardy

• Coordinator of Humanities and Fine Arts, Peter Murphy

• Associate professor of Humanities and Fine Arts, Lissa Graham

• Professor of Humanities and Fine Arts, Sarah Gutwirth

• LGBT Program Coordinator Jody Cofer Randall

• Vising Professor in Residence of Humanities and Fine Arts, Riley Hanick

• Lecturer, Mary-Tripp Reed

• Assistant professor of Humanities and Fine Arts, Joshua Adair

Deidre Redmond, associate professor of Humanities and Fine Arts, said having this conversation on campus is important because racist incidents have taken place at Murray State and people seem to be unaware.

In the age of technology, students use social media to be discreet about their opinions. Redmond said last year, students fled to Twitter to post racist comments to @MSUAsians and @MSUBlackPeople, among others.

This year students are using a new app, Yik Yak, to publicize their racist opinions.

Redmond said for Murray State to have any progress, people have to talk about racism openly and in a way that embraces the need to move forward.

Redmond said when she spoke to her students about the racist acts occurring on campus, they had no idea it was happening.

“My students didn’t know what was happening approximately one minute away from my classroom,” Redmond said.

She decided to be involved with Eracism to model for her students how important it is to have this discussion.

  “I wanted to make sure that I was there to show students that it is something I take seriously and that I am actually going to be about it,” she said.

STUDENTS ON RACISM

Kali Speaks, senior from Owensboro, Ky., said her job as master of ceremonies at the poetry reading was to moderate and ensure a safe speaking environment for participants.

“I asked several friends to come forward today and tell their stories, but they said they were too scared to,” she said.

In her own testimony, Speaks told listeners about a time she was accused of planning a robbery at a Benton, Ky., Arby’s because other diners thought she looked guilty due to her appearance.

“I had been told not to go to Benton after 6 p.m.,” she said.

Speaks said the Trayvon Martin case resonated with her more because she was wearing a hoodie while she was in Benton that night.

Martin was a black teenager shot and killed by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman in 2012. Zimmerman was aquitted in 2013.

Ariel Mitchell, junior from Louisville, Ky., said microaggressions, or daily racially based indignities, are proof that racism is internalized.

“We have to unteach these things that we have been told,” she said.

Mitchell said immediately pointing out bigotry on a daily basis is a way to combat subtle racism.

Tracie Gilbert, the minority 2014-15 faculty fellow, said she was at Murray State to help develop cultural diversity. In those efforts she has brought together a new group on campus, the Diversity Education Squad. The group has five active members.

Gilbert said the Eracism event was conceived in response to Yik Yak comments made in regard to the rally Murray State students held in front of Waterfield Library.

She said the event allowed her to analyze shootings, like one of black teenager Michael Brown.

“I felt the need to explain the ramifications of what happened to Michael Brown,” Gilbert said.

Story by Mari-Alice Jasper, Staff writer and Mary Bradley, Editor-in-Chief

Video produced by Josiah Brand

Hannah Fowl/The News
Students pose for a photo in the Curris Center Rocking Chair Lounge at Tuesday’s Stache Bash. The photo was shared on social media to raise awareness for breast cancer.

(WITH VIDEO) – The Curris Center Rocking Chair Lounge was bursting with all things pink Tuesday.

Rubber bracelets, stress balls and fuzzy pink mustaches were dispersed to students willing to snap a photo of themselves sporting the trendy pink facial accessories.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To raise support and awareness for breast cancer and research, the Murray State Women’s Center hosted Stache Bash.

More than 70 students and faculty members of different genders, ages and interests tried on pink mustaches and posed for a picture that was later shared on social media to raise awareness of breast cancer and show support for its survivors.

Following last fall’s Paint Me Pink event, the Women’s Center implemented a new strategy to spread the word about the event with those who participated, as well as those who did not.

Kelly Herrenbruck, graduate assistant for the Women’s Center, said that the use of social media was the vital element of Stache Bash and its success.

“We are using social media as a key to raise awareness,” Herrenbruck said. “Everyone who came and wore a pink mustache was allowed to tweet their photos.”

Students’ pictures highlighted the event and were shared on Twitter as well as Facebook and Instagram using #stachebash.

Herrenbruck said that the Women’s Center wanted to implement new and different ways to show support for breast cancer research. She said since mustaches are a pop culture icon and pink is the color of breast cancer awareness, the event would promote awareness through the photos.

Graphic by Summer Bush

Though Mary Jensen, senior from Mattoon, Ill., does not have a family member affected by breast cancer, Jensen said she had friends and classmates with family members that have been diagnosed with it. Jensen said this event was a fun way to get students involved.

“It is breast cancer awareness month so it’s good to show support for the cause,” Jensen said. “It was good that they had information about being tested for breast cancer.”

Although breast cancer is not prevalent among college-age students, it is not rare. Students were able to obtain information from pamphlets and fliers including statistics on breast cancer as well as steps to take to better prevent and detect the disease.

Not only did students leave with more information about mammograms, self-examinations and early detection methods, they also left with powerful messages etched into rubber bracelets. The bracelets used words including strength, hope, faith and save second base, to further the event’s effect outside of the Curris Center.

The Women’s Center received donations from some students and faculty members who stopped by the  event. These donations will be used for breast cancer research.

However, awareness and support were the two main goals of the event, which is part of the annual campaigns sponsored by the Women’s Center.

Because of the success with Paint Me Pink last year, the Women’s Center is considering re-installing the event next year. Last year, nail artists from local salons painted students’ nails pink for breast cancer awareness. Unexpectedly, several men as well as women, chose to paint their nails for the cause.

The Women’s Center considered the event successful because of the high interest and participation but has not made a definitive decision if the event will return next year.

If students would like to view photos from the Stache Bash, they can search social media using #stachebash.

Story by Tiffany Whitfill, Staff writer

Video produced by Cameron Witte

Jenny Rohl/The News
Sophomore runningback Marcus Holliday drops a ball as Austin Peay State players pressure him at Governors Stadium Saturday.

It was a slippery slope for the Racers as fumbles and penalties dominated their loss against Austin Peay State Saturday at the new Governors Stadium. This win was the first in 18 games for the Governors and Austin Peay’s first win under second-year Head Coach Kirby Cannon.

The fumbles began as a pass from redshirt sophomore quarterback K.D. Humphries to sophomore receiver Jesse Blackburn was apparently fumbled and recovered by the Governors to the endzone, but was ruled on the field to be an incomplete pass.

On the next play, a handoff to sophomore runningback Marcus Holliday slipped out of his hands, but was ruled down before the fumble. On the next snap, Humphries fumbled the ball but recovered it for a slight loss. This series of botched plays forced the Racers to punt on their opening drive for the second time this season, the first being in the Louisville game.

“We had a terrible week of practice, and it just snowballed from there,” said Head Coach Chris Hatcher. “I still thought we’d be good enough to come out and win the game. Defensively, we played well enough. We did give up a couple big plays. We had some untimely penalties – especially right there at the end where we had the personal foul out of bounds, which was just an unnecessary penalty on our team. But at the end of the day, you do that and you turn it over five times, you’re not going to win the ball game.”

The Racers were able to come out with the initial lead with a 36-yard field goal by junior kicker Carson Greifenkamp. Hatcher attributed one of the few positives from the game to his special teams. Kicking, kick coverage and punts were all handled well in the game, according to Hatcher, despite redshirt freshman wide receiver Zach Shipley stepping in to punt for injured starting punter Zach Bogard.

The Governors were the victims of slick hands in the second quarter as they fumbled but were able to recover. A pass from quarterback Mickey Macius intended for freshman wide receiver Jared Beard was dropped out of Beard’s hands. The Governors attempted to fake a punt for a first down with 3:30 left in the first half, but the Racers stopped them and took over at their own 46-yard line.

An incomplete pass intended for junior receiver Janawski Davis kicked off another series of unfortunate plays for the Racers. On the next pass, Austin Peay’s sophomore cornerback Roderick Owens intercepted and returned the ball 39 yards to the Murray State 30-yard line.

“Every time we’d move the ball, we would turn it over,” Hatcher said.

Carrying momentum off the interception, Macius connected with Beard for a 30-yard touchdown and Austin Peay took its first lead in a football game since its 2013 game against Southeast Missouri State.

The Racers came back to action quickly as Humphries made two consecutive successful handoffs to Holliday for a large gain before Holliday fumbled on the third. The Governors recovered the ball at their own 23-yard line.

Murray State wasted no time in working its way back to a lead in the second half. Junior runningback Pokey Harris carried 24 yards for a touchdown just three minutes into the third quarter and the Racers took the lead 10-7.

Austin Peay’s Macius and Beard changed the game once again in the third quarter when they connected for a touchdown. Freshman kicker Dakota Vincil missed the extra point, and the lead stayed 13-10 with 6:01 left to play in the third.

During the Racers’ next series, Humphries scrambled from the 10-yard line before sending a pass into the endzone, only to be intercepted by Owens once again. Owens fumbled out of bounds, but Austin Peay received the touchback and took over from the 20-yard line.

An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called on both sides, offsetting for an Austin Peay fourth down. Austin Peay was forced to punt and Davis fumbled on the return, which was recovered by Owens at the Murray State 20-yard line.

Macius connected with Beard the third time of the night for a touchdown and the Governors took the lead 20-10 with 26 seconds left in the third quarter.

A fumble finally fell into the Racers’ hands with barely seven minutes left to play in the game. Austin Peay’s freshman runningback Otis Gerron was forced to fumble by Murray State’s Travis Taylor and Demetrius Mason recovered it at the Austin Peay 31-yard line.

The Racers worked their way into position for a field goal and Greifenkamp added three points to the board from the 28-yard line. The Governors held onto a 7-point lead with 4:59 left to play.

After a forced punt by the Governors, the Racers took over from their own 44-yard line. They worked their way downfield before a fumble struck yet again. Humphries completed a pass to Harness to the Austin Peay 26-yard line before Austin Peay’s Montez Carlton forced the fumble and the Governors recovered. Austin Peay began its drive with just 3:01 left in the game.

“As bad as we played, three minutes to go in the game, we’re moving the ball, we’ve got a chance to win, we get a big first down and we turn it over for the fifth time of the day,” Hatcher said.  “At the end of the day, you can’t go out there, you can’t catch it, you can’t throw it, you can’t hang onto the ball for them.”

The Austin Peay student section rushed the field as the clock wound down. The final score of Austin Peay’s first win in two seasons was 20-13.

“I just keep going back to it,” Hatcher said.  “I mean, you’ve got a personal foul here, you get a personal foul down there where you’re going to force them to kick a field goal, and you turn it over five times, I mean, when you’re calling defense and you’re calling offense, you can’t call anything else if you’re not going to hang onto the ball. And that’s what’s disappointing.”

Hatcher believes it is up to his team to regroup before its next game against Kentucky Wesleyan College.

“We’re going to go out there, we’re going to prepare hard as coaches, we’re going to put us in the best chance to win,” Hatcher said. “We’ve got to find just a way to get back up, and it’s kind of up to them. We’ve still got five more games left. We can make a little hay here in the last part of the deal, but we missed an opportunity here.”

The Racers kick off against the Panthers Saturday at 3 p.m. at Roy Stewart Stadium.

Story by Mallory Tucker, Sports Editor

The staff editorial is the majority opinion of The Murray State News Editorial Board.

Katie Wilborn/The News

When Murray State recruits new students, the residential college system is advertised as the best option for students. Residential colleges are different from dorms because they’re cohesive, they form a sense of community and they help get students involved through intramural sports and clubs.

Murray State believes in the colleges so much they require students who live more than 50 miles away from campus to live in them for two years. This wouldn’t be a problem for most students, but there have been several issues within the colleges that make this transaction unfair.

Within the last week, students and staff at Springer Residential College have dealt with four reported cases of lice, a sexual assault was reported at Regents Residential College and a theft of more than $500 was reported at Hart Residential College.

If the University is going to prioritize living on campus to the point of making it mandatory, then the residential colleges should be the cleanest and safest places on campus.

The Residential College Review Task Force is meeting throughout the semester to make a list of recommendations on how to improve the system for the next academic year.

It is a positive that the task force is putting thought into improving extracurriculars and retention, but the safety, functionality and sanitary conditions of the colleges should also be taken into account.

This is especially important because off-campus living is more competitive and less costly than living in the residential colleges. The average cost of a double room in Franklin, Springer, Old Richmond, Hart, Regents, White, Elizabeth and Hester residential colleges is $2,288 per semester.

At apartment complexes geared toward students, like Campus Evolution Villages South, rent for a three bedroom apartment can run as low as $1,800 a semester per roommate.

Murray State should consider what students are paying more than $500 a semester for. Are they paying for the community that is advertised? Or are they paying more to live with strict curfews, power outages, Wi-Fi outages, insects and crime?

The residential college system is something that many of us feel lucky to have. Some of us who lived on campus before living off campus were glad to experience the residential colleges. They are a place to make valuable friendships. However, if Murray State is going to make on-campus living the only option, then it should make it worthwhile.

Clean up the lice, get rid of the crime and make the colleges a place that students actually want to live.

Special teams dominated the game against Kentucky Wesleyan College Saturday as two touchdown kickoff returns and one touchdown punt return helped build their lead.

The first play of the game was successful not only for the Racers but also for one very lucky Racer fan, Amy Pervine, who won $10,000 from Parker Ford for freshman DeQavius Walker’s 84-yard kickoff return.

The Racers carried this momentum into their next touchdown drive as junior receiver Janawski Davis caught a 37-yard pass from redshirt sophomore quarterback K.D. Humphries.

The Panthers cut the score down by three points as sophomore kicker Cole Woodburn kicked a 30-yard field goal.

Junior runningback Pokey Harris added a 26-yard rushing touchdown to the Racers lead before Davis returned a Panthers’ punt 64 yards for his second touchdown of the game. Junior kicker Carson Greifenkamp missed the extra point and the lead remained 27-3.

Kentucky Wesleyan got their first touchdown of the game with just 30 seconds left in the first quarter. Junior quarterback Dalton Oliver connected with junior wide receiver Xavier Mitchell to make the score 27-10 as the quarter ended.

Sophomore runningback Marcus Holliday started the second quarter scoring with a 5-yard rushing touchdown less than two minutes in. Kentucky Wesleyan quickly returned the favor as freshman runningback David White carried the ball just one yard to the endzone to cut the lead to 34-16.

Harris got his second touchdown and also the Racers’ second kickoff return touchdown of the game as he carried the ball 75 yards downfield to increase the score to 41-16.

The Panthers weren’t giving up with a fight, however, as White tacked another short rushing touchdown onto his stats.

With just 43 seconds left in the half, White scored once again to cut the lead to 41-29 going into halftime.

The Racers were relentless in the second half as they tallied 7 unanswered scoring plays, including two rushing touchdowns by Humphries, both a 40-yard pass touchdown and a rushing touchdown from Holliday and a 40-yard field goal from Greifenkamp in the third.

Senior quarterback C.J. Bennett entered the game for Humphries in the fourth quarter and got a touchdown of his own less than two minutes in. Freshman runningback Nick Taylor also recorded a 37-yard rushing touchdown to increase the score to 86-29. The clock continued to run as the Racers took a knee and ended the game at that score.

If you didn’t know already, America’s favorite candy worshiping holiday is today. That’s right, it is Halloween.

This is the magical time of year when, if only for one night, little boys can be knights in shining armor, little girls can be princesses and teenagers can put poop on people’s porches and light it on fire. It truly is a special day.

But like so many others this Halloween, I have been so caught up with school that I forgot to get a costume.

While I was tempted to just follow the crowd and go with something generic like a ghost or a slutty Ebola virus, instead I compiled this list of possible Murray State themed costumes that are sure to impress. Feel free to use any of these ideas. Or don’t. I don’t care.

IDEA #1

Cam Payne: This one is a no brainer. Just throw on a Racers jersey and a headband. To add to the effect, carry around a basketball everywhere you go like you’re in High School Musical.

IDEA #2

Volleyball player: With the Murray State volleyball team on a seven-game win streak, everyone will think you are the coolest. Fellas, this is the chance you’ve been waiting for to show off those hilarious skin-tight shorts you stole from your sister.

IDEA #3

The Shoe Tree: This costume requires some dedication to the part. Drape a bunch of dirty, old shoes over you and go around proposing to random people. Try your best to be both repulsive and romantic at the same time.

IDEA #4

Pogue Library: Sit in the corner of the party and read a book the entire time. Make sure no one knows you are there.

IDEA #5

Finals week student: Walk around the party with a book in one hand and a coffee in the other, shouting, “I’m gonna lose my freakin’ mind!”

IDEA #6

Statue of Rainey T. Wells: This is the costume that I will more than likely go with. To be former President Wells, you just stand in the middle of the party super awkwardly and don’t say a word. When people try to talk to you, act like they don’t exist.

IDEA #7

Clark and Richmond College: Look up the Monopoly guy and copy his look.

IDEA #8

Regents and White College: Dress up like Andre 3000. Get it? “Outkast.” Eh, whatever.

IDEA #9

The Murray weather: Mix and match your warm and cold clothing. Act irrationally all night and display extreme mood swings.

IDEA #10

The IT Building: (I think we all know where this is going.) A couple of basketballs and a country accent is all you need to pull off this costume.

Well, that’s all I’ve got. If you don’t like any of those ideas, just go as yourself or something stupid like that. OK, go have lots of fun and eat candy until your blood turns to sugar.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go stare at Rainey T. Wells for inspiration. Enjoy your Halloween, everyone, before we all have to put on our finals week costumes at the end of the semester.

Column by Peter Northcutt, Staff writer

     Most of my life has been spent in the Bluegrass State. My favorite memories, happiest moments and worst days have all been spent in the land of horses and bourbon. Kentucky is also looked at as a place to escape.

     Through high school and college, I’ve heard the phrase,“I can’t wait to get out of Kentucky,” countless times and I agreed with that statement for a large part of my life. It wasn’t until I left the state for an extended period of time that I actually realized how much I owe Kentucky and how much I will miss it if I ever leave for good.

We look at Kentucky like it has nothing to offer us. We are so busy talking about getting out, we never take the chance to look and see what the inside has to offer.

I spent my summer in New York City at a marketing internship and I loved it. A falafel was on every corner and a cup of coffee was in every hand. Even though I had a great time in the city that has everything to offer, my heart ached for Kentucky.

Don’t get me wrong, I can definitely see myself going back to New York either to work or to visit, but Kentucky will always be my home.

Time just moves slower here. People take the time to say hello and even as a large male with a questionable mustache, people will still smile and open the door for me.

Everyone has somewhere to be, but they will always have the time to toss you a good morning or a simple smile as your eyes meet theirs. That’s not necessarily the way it is in New York. The term “New York minute” isn’t just an expression; it’s absolutely true.

Everyone has somewhere to be, money to make and they are more than likely late getting there. This results in a lot of passive-aggressive eye-cutting on the subway and confrontations at even the most minute inconveniences.

Southern hospitality is a thing and it’s alive and kicking here in the Commonwealth. “Darling” or “doll” are acceptable aliases for anyone you come in contact with and the offer for a sweet tea is always open. This is one of the smaller things you don’t realize you miss until you’re no longer around it.

It’s a wonderful feeling being around people with a pleasant demeanor and having to tip toe around confrontation 24/7 like you have to do in big cities gets utterly exhausting after a while.

There is a lot of charm in Kentucky that people don’t care to see or realize, and I promise you they will miss it as soon as they leave.

Kentucky has made me who I am today. People from other states look down at Kentucky and have the predisposition that we are a bunch of hillbillies.

Everyone has the right to their opinion, but the practice of wearing footwear is commonplace among most of the people I know.

I grew up in a state where good manners are expected, you’re nice to everyone and you’re never too good to offer a helping hand. These things have helped me develop a strong moral compass and a generally positive outlook on life. I also made the choice to stay in Kentucky for school and it has led to great things for me. Whether it’s the rowdy family I call my fraternity or the leadership and internship opportunities, I have a lot to thank the Bluegrass State for.

Kentucky is a great place to raise a family. Of course no matter where you go you’re going to have a certain level of danger or crime, but according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Kentucky ranks 40 out of the 50 states when it comes to crime rates.

I would feel safer with Zac Jr. and Zac Jr. Jr. living in Kentucky than most other states simply because it’s a safer place than most. Also, I want my kids to experience the amazing environment I was raised in.

We don’t have a lot of millionaires. No railroad tycoons or movie stars. Just humble hardworking men and women who have a smile to share and a laugh to give.

You don’t know it, but you’re going to miss Kentucky. You will never give it the credit it truly deserves and I’m sure one day you will come back.

I know I won’t leave for a while. I’ve already accepted this, but for a period of my life I will have to explore what destiny has written for me in chapter two.

I plan on coming back. I want to raise my kids here and I want to grow old in Kentucky so I can give back to the state that has given me everything. There are a lot of things I don’t know and there are quite a few grey areas in my future, but there is one thing I’ll never let slip from my mind.

I’ll never be too good for my Old Kentucky Home.

Column by Zac Garrison, Senior from Franklin, Ky.

Halloween on a budget can be stressful. Shopping for a costume can lead people into buying outfits costing $100 or more. For those looking for a last-minute Halloween costume on a budget, try these simple do-it-yourself costumes.

WOMAN’S COSTUME

Remember the infamous leg lamp from “A Christmas Story?” Dig up a pair of tights, black heels and a lampshade of your choice for this simple and cheap last-minute costume.

Another timeless costume is Rosie the Riveter – the face and bicep of the women’s movement during the Industrial Revolution. For this costume, you’ll need a bandana to tie around your head, a denim button-down shirt and pants and shoes of your choice. Don’t forget the red lipstick.

MAN’S COSTUME

For men looking to impress and save some money this Halloween, here are two hot options:

Joel Goodson from “Risky Business” or Marty McFly from “Back to the Future.” You may remember the famous scene of Tom Cruise sliding around his parents’ house and singing into a lamp.

To pull off this costume, all you need is a pair of black sunglasses, a white dress shirt, some tighty whities, a pair of tall white socks. Use a candlestick, fire poker or microphone as a prop to complete the look.

If Tom Cruise isn’t your style, or you’re worried about freezing in a dress shirt and underwear, you can go back to the future with Marty McFly. You’ll need a plaid shirt, a jean jacket, a puffy vest, rolled-up jeans, sneakers and a skateboard if you have one.

If you have a dog, you could even dress him up to look like Einstein from the movie.

CELEBRITY COSTUME

Celebrities are people, too. Which means some of the easiest costumes to wear are just clothing you could find in the closet.

Create an entire costume by pairing key articles of clothing and signature accessories that embody a celebrity or a role they play in a movie.

Find an old suit and some 3D glasses for a classic costume: Clark Kent, aka Superman.

It’s an easy costume to master. All you need is a blazer, a button-down shirt, glasses and some hair gel.

For the ladies, Wednesday Addams from “The Addams Family” is a character with a simple wardrobe, which makes it an easy costume to throw together last minute.

Wednesday wears long braids, a black dress with a white collar, black tights and black combat boots. Commit to the look by mastering the pale makeup and topping it off with a chunky cross necklace.

CREATURE COSTUME

For men and women, animal costumes are common for Halloween. Why? They’re cute, cheap and easy to put together.

One option is an octopus.

Find six tube socks – borrow from a friend if you have to – fill them with stuffing or other socks and attach them to your waist.

You can paint big eyes on your face or find an old beanie and paint googly eyes on the front of it. This option could also work as a spider.

Paint black  polka dots on a red shirt and add a headband with antennas to transform yourself into a lady bug.

If red isn’t your color, pull off the stripes of a busy bee.

You could also be a moose or a reindeer. Wear all brown, stuff a pair of gloves and pin them to your head.

You could also paint your nose red and carry around a carrot to snack on.

WORD PLAY COSTUME

For all the jokesters out there just looking to get a good laugh out of their Halloween costume, here are some punny ideas that are cheap and easy to make.

One option is a deviled egg. Put on some horns, a tail and make a large fried egg out of cardboard or fabric to attach to yourself.

You could also be a black-eyed pea. Wear all black, paint a “P” on your shirt and give yourself a black eye with some black face paint.

Another idea is fifty shades of gray. Go to Walmart or Lowe’s and get  gray paint swatches.

Wear gray pants, shoes, a gray shirt and tape or glue the paint swatches to your shirt.

Don’t let the stress of spending money on Halloween get you down. Each of these costumes can cost under $20 and are sure to get a good laugh and approval from your friends this Halloween.

Story by Madison Wepfer, Staff writer

Kory Savage/The News
Alison Lundergan Grimes speaks to a crowd of supporters in Paducah, Ky., last week.

Student loan debt is an issue Alison Lundergan Grimes plans to face head on if she is voted as the new U.S Senator for Kentucky in next week’s election.

Murray State graduates averaged nearly $21,000 in debt in 2012, according to the Project on Student Debt.

Grimes met with approximately 50 people Tuesday at the town square in Benton, Ky.

Amid the pouring rain, the campaign team ushered supporters into an open building next to the Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice cafe.

Grimes is challenging Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for the Senate seat.

She said McConnell has chosen to back Wall Street instead of backing students.

She supports a bill offered by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren that would allow students to obtain a federally subsidized Stafford loan at 0.75 percent versus the current 3.4 percent rate according to Grimes’ campaign website.

“I will work to make sure that our students can afford degrees and not have debt,” Grimes said.

McConnell introduced a bill in Feburary 2013, the Enhanced 529-Setting Aside for a Valuable Education Act, that will make it easier for lower and middle-income families to pay for higher education, according to his website.

Lexi Lamb, Murray State alumna from Hardin, Ky., said Grimes seemed genuine and she thought reforming student loan policies would help the next generation of students.

“Between me and my husband we had more than 10 payments in student loans after graduating,” Lamb said.

Lamb said Grimes’ push for equal pay and rights for women is what persuaded her vote.

“When women graduate they should be on equal footing with men,” Grimes said.

Nicole Sutton, from Calvert City, Ky., said she was unable to go to Murray State because of the cost of tuition, even with the help of loans and financial aid.

“As a single mother I am trying to benefit not only my life but my daughter’s life by going back to school and furthering my education to get a career,” she said. “I know so many people doing the same as me who are crippled even at their highest potential because of their student loan debt and their interest rates.”

Sutton said she wasn’t asking for student loan forgiveness, but for a change in policy.

Grimes said in addition to advocating for equal pay for men and women, she wants to increase minimum wage.

“When students graduate they should have an opportunity to live the American dream,” Grimes said.

Grimes said if she is elected, history will be made. Kentucky has never elected a female U.S. Senator.

“Seven more days of hard work is all we’ve got left,” said Mike Miller, the Marshall County Judge/Executive, as he opened for Grimes. “But all this campaigning means nothing if you don’t go out and vote.”

Story by Mari-Alice Jasper, Staff writer