Morehead State Revitalizes Historic Campus Location with Lakewood Lawn

Morehead State University has transformed a prominent outdoor area into a vibrant new gathering space designed to enhance student life, foster community, and celebrate the natural beauty that makes the campus unique.

Lakewood Lawn, the newly repurposed space, officially welcomed students during Kickback with the Eagles, a special event held as part of Welcome Week+.

View Photos From Kickback With The Eagles Event

Located next to the Recreation & Wellness Center and Eagle Lake, Lakewood Lawn offers students a welcoming environment for relaxation, recreation, and connection. The space features outdoor seating areas, a fire pit, decorative evening lighting, hammocks, grills, and a grassy lawn suitable for recreational activities, student gatherings, and campus events.

The addition further strengthens Morehead State's commitment to providing students with engaging outdoor experiences in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest, one of the University's most distinctive assets.

“Lakewood Lawn is a wonderful addition to our campus and another way we are enhancing the student experience,” said Dr. Todd Harris, vice president for Student Affairs. “Students consistently tell us how much they value the natural beauty of Morehead State University and the opportunities it provides to connect with others outdoors. This space complements that beauty while creating an inviting place where students can gather, build community, and make lasting memories throughout their college experience.”

Students have already embraced the new space as a destination for both relaxation and recreation.

“Lakewood Lawn is exactly the kind of space students have been asking for,” said Molly Boyd, president of the Student Government Association (SGA). “It gives students a comfortable place to connect with friends, attend events, enjoy the outdoors, or simply take a break between classes. The location, atmosphere, and amenities make it a great addition to campus, and I believe it will quickly become one of our students' favorite places to spend time.”

Beyond its recreational benefits, the name Lakewood Lawn carries historical significance for the University. The site was once home to a married student housing complex known as Lakewood Terrace. In 1962, the University constructed a 16-unit addition to Lakewood Terrace, providing housing for married students and their families. The complex served the campus community for more than four decades, making the new gathering space both a nod to the University's history and an investment in its future.

The new lawn expands the outdoor experiences available to students at Morehead State, complementing the region's abundant recreational opportunities, including nearby Cave Run Lake and the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, while providing an inviting setting for campus programs, events, and everyday student life.

The opening celebration, Kickback with the Eagles, brought students together to enjoy the new space through fellowship, recreation, and community-building activities, marking the beginning of what University leaders hope will become a favorite destination for students and visitors alike.

To reserve Lakewood Lawn firepit:

• You must be registered as an MSU Student Organization with an EagleLink account. Registered Student Organizations will receive access to MSU’s space reservation app, Rendezvous.
• To access the scheduling tool, go to MyMoreheadState > MSU Student Services > Log in to Rendezvous.
• Go to the interactive calendar and choose a property (Lakewood Lawn) > Select Park > Select New Booking.
• Fill out the Reservation Details and add Attendees and save the booking.
• The Recreation & Wellness Center is the host and must approve the reservation.
• Upon approval, Rec Center employees will light and turn off firepit at the appointed times.
• The fire pit closes at 9:30 p.m.
• As Morehead State continues to invest in facilities and experiences that enrich campus life, Lakewood Lawn represents a meaningful blend of student-centered innovation, outdoor engagement, and campus tradition.

To learn more about campus revitalization visit www.moreheadstate.edu/forward.