Academic Excellence
MSU Homecoming celebrates philanthropy with naming of college, student center ribbon-cutting
Eagles from every generation returned to Morehead State University on Friday, Oct. 19, to kick off Homecoming 2018.This year’s activities included two historic celebrations in the life of the institution: the naming of the Elmer R. Smith College of Business and Technology and the ribbon-cutting ceremony re-opening the Adron Doran University Center after two years of significant renovations.
President Jay Morgan and MSU’s Board of Regents honored one of the institution’s most respected graduates with the official naming of the Elmer R. Smith College of Business and Technology. A native of Martin County and a graduate of MSU with a degree in business education, Smith (71) is a successful professional who has served in numerous positions within the educational field. He currently serves as the president of Interactive College of Technology in Atlanta, which specializes in computer-based training. He was inducted into the MSU Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 1999 and, to date, has donated nearly $4 million to the University. Smith’s contributions have been used to create an endowment to provide scholarships for MSU students.
After the naming ceremony for the Smith College, alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of MSU were asked to turn their attention to the Adron Doran University Center (ADUC) just across the street. ADUC, originally known as the Doran Student House, opened in 1956 and was named in honor of MSU’s seventh president, the late Dr. Adron Doran who served from 1954 to 1977. The building is situated on the site of the first building on MSU’s historic campus and expanded in 1969 and later renovated in 2005.
In a response to changing student needs and based on the requests of MSU students, ADUC’s latest renovation will double the size of the student center and provide additional meeting spaces, more restaurant-style dining options and lounges, an admissions welcome center and theater, a sports pub, and more student-oriented spaces to provide services in a one-stop environment.
During the construction and renovation process, MSU identified several naming opportunities within ADUC and worked with donors to create endowed scholarships as part of the expansion. Through the generosity of many individuals and businesses, these scholarships will contribute to the continued success of future Eagles in perpetuity.
“Morehead State University is a very special place. Our academic programming is vital and our facilities are extremely important. However, during my time here, I have learned that MSU is a special place primarily because of the people. The people, all of them Eagles, coming from every walk of life and every generation, are the common thread of not only what makes MSU special, but also what we are here to celebrate today,” said President Morgan.
“Everything that has happened here in this ceremony centers around our people providing a path for the students of today and tomorrow, so they are able to soar to new heights. Both of these are momentous events in and of themselves, but today these two things come together to form cornerstones of a Scholarship Campaign that will provide much needed financial support to our student body.”
The Soar to New Heights Scholarship Campaign has a goal of $15 million to be raised in three years, for the sole purpose of scholarships for Morehead State University students. These scholarships will address the priorities of recruitment, retention and degree completion. More than 90% of MSU’s student body receives some type of financial aid and private dollars are critical to meet the needs of these students.
For more information about the campaign, please visit www.moreheadstate.edu/soarcampaign.
MSU President Jay Morgan kicks off Soar to New Heights Scholarship Campaign.
