COE Celebrates Homecoming
The College of Education at Murray State University celebrated Homecoming 2005 with their annual breakfast and through participating in Tent City.
The 20th Annual COE Alumni Association Homecoming Breakfast was held October 22, 2005 at the Murray Middle School cafeteria. This year’s breakfast celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first African American student at Murray State University. The College of Education had recognition certificates for the first African American graduate – Nancy Tyler Demartra, and the first African American students – Mary Ford Holland, Geneva Arnold, Bobby Brandon, Arlene Keys, and Willie Earl Perry.
During the breakfast Board of Regent member Olivia Burr presented an award to Linda Pierce in the Publications and Printing Office. Pierce designed the African American legacy logo that has been used for many events this year.
W.A. Franklin, COE Alumni Association president, presented the Outstanding Service Award to Dennis Jackson. Jackson was also a co-grand marshal for the Homecoming Parade. Jackson was an outstanding athlete who enrolled in MSU in 1962 after receiving an athletic scholarship in football and track. He earned a bachelor’s degree from MSU in 1966 and a master’s in 1971. In college, Jackson was named all Ohio Valley Conference football back. After graduation he went to Paducah Tilghman where he was a teacher and coach, and later an Assistant Principal. He then moved to the central office in Paducah where he was the Director of Pupil Personnel.
At the conclusion of the breakfast prizes were given to the alum who traveled the farthest and the earliest graduate. Drawings were held for adult and child door prizes.
According to Franklin, the breakfast was a huge success. “It was a nice event because it was held in the new Murray Middle School cafeteria for the first time on a very special occasion. It was the largest attendance in several years.”
The College of Education also celebrated Homecoming with a tent at Tent City. Free apples were provided along with COE ink pens and key chain lights. Bookmarks with a lapel pin celebrating the African American legacy were also provided at the breakfast and Tent City. The following COE student organizations set up tables inside the tent as fundraisers: Student Council for Exceptional Children, Kappa Delta Pi Honors Society in Education, National Science Teachers Association Student Chapter, and Middle School Association. Items sold included baked goods, photographs, puzzles, and bracelets. The Thai Student Association also exhibited in the COE tent to sell Thai food and drink.
The Homecoming Breakfast and Tent City were a wonderful time for alumni to reunite with former classmates, professors, and friends.