Randolph is commencement speaker for MSU’s Fall 2022 Commencement

Morehead State University has announced the student speaker for the 2022 Fall Commencement. The ceremony takes place Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Academic-Athletic Center (AAC).    

Heather Randolph of Sandy Hook is the commencement speaker representing the College of Science. She is the daughter of Angela Randolph and Terry Randolph. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). 

As an undergraduate student, Randolph graduated at the top of the nursing program while balancing her obligations with MSU ROTC, enlisting in the National Guard and working two part-time jobs. She is the acting Battalion Commander over a 76-person battalion and will be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserves Nursing Corps upon graduation.   

Randolph said her older siblings inspired her. Growing up with her oldest brother Nicholas Randolph, currently stationed on active military duty in Hawaii, influenced her to enroll in MSU ROTC to gain leadership skills, a well-rounded education and expanded career opportunities. Meanwhile, her older sister, Natasha Knipp, is a traveling nurse. She said hearing stories from the field and the impact she was making in people's lives led her to pursue a degree in nursing.  

“I kind of saw what she did, saw the results that she saw," she said. "I think it's the best occupation that you can do as far as helping people."  

Randolph earned the 2022 Undergraduate Nursing Research Award in October 2022. She earned the Outstanding Baccalaureate Nursing Program-Prelicensure Senior Level Student Award in May 2022 and the Outstanding Baccalaureate Nursing Program-Prelicensure Junior Level Award in April 2021.    

She is a PRN nurse extern at St. Claire Regional HealthCare in Morehead, a position she's held since July 2021. Before that, she was a part-time emergency medical technician (EMT) with the Elliott County Ambulance Station from July 2019 to January 2022. She is a member of the Kentucky Nurses Association and the Student Nurses Association. As a student, Randolph also completed more than 120 hours of community service. Most recently, she helped with flood relief efforts in Eastern Kentucky through flood cleanups organized by the BSN program and MSU ROTC.   

Randolph said that even with her busy schedule, volunteering and giving back to her community helped her keep things in perspective.  

"(It's) just that constant reminder there are people that need more help than I do," she said. "Instead of watching the next episode of TV, maybe go out and help somebody."  

Randolph's immediate goal after graduation is to become an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse with long-term career aspirations to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). She said being nominated and selected to speak in front of her classmates was a surprise and she said she would take a moment to express the value of her MSU experience before she and her classmates move on to pursue their dreams.  

"There's a lot of core memories we take from Morehead State, relationships we built, but it's a good time to look back and reminisce on those times while looking forward to the future," Randolph said. "We are the generation that is going to create tomorrow."  

For more information on MSU's 2022 Fall Commencement and to live stream the ceremonies, visit moreheadstate.edu/graduation.