Now in week eight of his tenure as Murray State University’s 15th president, Dr. Ron Patterson was treated to some between-the-rivers hospitality Tuesday morning and afternoon — where visits with the Trigg County High School, Trigg County Board of Education, the Cadiz Rotary Club and Genesis Express brought some insights on west Kentucky along his 120-day “Racer Spirit” Listening and Learning Tour.
Unanimously selected by MSU’s Board of Regents to succeed emeritus Dr. Bob Jackson, the Corinth, Mississippi, native is no stranger to the Commonwealth. His wife, Jenny, is a Midway University graduate, and he once made a random trip to the region less than 25 years ago, when he previously served as a recruiter for Christian Brothers University out of Memphis, Tennessee.
A 27-year veteran in coaching and higher education, his two most recent career stops were the University of North Alabama in Florence and Chadron State College in Nebraska, and he now finds himself in what he calls “the dream job,” as the Racers look to remain relevant and grow inside the Missouri Valley Conference.
In terms of enrollment this fall, Patterson said students from 49 of the 50 states are on campus — save a North Dakota native — while 52 countries worldwide have sent their best and brightest here, guaranteeing a diverse, inclusive, cultural atmosphere.
Draw that circle closer, and Patterson noted 115 of 120 Kentucky counties have representation for 2025-26, including more than 150 from Trigg County.
More than 40% of first-time freshmen this year graduated in the top 25% of their Class of 2025, while 44% are first-generation college students — much like he was when pursuing an Associate of Arts at Northeast Mississippi Community College and a Bachelor of Science at the University of Tennessee – Southern.
More than 60% of this student body is from Kentucky, and as of Wednesday morning, Patterson said almost 1,000 of Trigg County’s 14,000-plus residents have degrees from MSU — guaranteeing what remains as a deep, mutual relationship between Cadiz and Calloway County since “Murray Normal School” first opened its doors to students and faculty a little over a century ago.
Construction on the School of Nursing & Health Professions, he said, is well underway, while a Spring 2026 true groundbreaking is scheduled for a new Learning & Residential College called “The Living & Learning Commons” — which will be more focused on retention and student life.
Once the School of Nursing moves out of Mason Hall, right there next to Cutchin Fieldhouse, Patterson said a remodel and renovation will lead to a refurbished home for new degrees: dental hygiene and exercise science.
If the doctoral program curriculum for veterinary and medical science gets approved by the Council for Postsecondary Education this winter, Patterson said MSU officials would move forward with design plans detailing the new veterinary school — which already has financial blessings from the Kentucky General Assembly, a place he will visit frequently when the biennium session gavels next January.
Patterson also noted that, per semester, roughly 30 Cadiz Rotary Scholars on average are being supported through more than $130,000 in annual gifts — thanks in large part to the country’s most successful Rotary Radio Auction per capita.
Prior to crossing LBL’s two bridges, Patterson also visited with Congressman James Comer in Murray — he, too, making a brief, but busy, swing through the Pennyrile and Jackson Purchase.
FULL AUDIO WITH CADIZ ROTARY:
Patterson’s Remaining Tour
Virtual Tour Stop – Tuesday, September 9, 2025
7-8 p.m. (CT) via Zoom
RSVP required
Atlanta, Georgia – Saturday, September 13, 2025
Alumni Event – Wood’s Chapel BBQ
4-6 p.m. ET, 85 Georgia Ave SE, Atlanta
Public Event – RSVP required
Murray State Football @ Georgia State – 7 p.m. ET Kick-off
Owensboro, Kentucky – Monday, September 15
Green River Area Development District
5-7 p.m. – 300 Gradd Way, Owensboro, KY 42301
Nashville, Tennessee – Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Nashville City Club
5-7 p.m – 200 2nd Avenue South, Nashville, TN
Eddyville, Kentucky – Wednesday, September 17, 2025
WKEC Board Meeting
10:00 a.m. – WKEC Conference Center
Virtual Tour Stop – Monday, September 22, 2025
12:00 Noon – 1 p.m. (CT) via Zoom
RSVP required
Murray, Kentucky – Thursday, September 25, 2025
Rotary Club of Murray
12:00 Noon – Murray Country Club
Louisville, Kentucky – Monday, October 13, 2025
Mellwood Art Center (Monet Room)
5-7 pm. – 1860 Mellwood Avenue Louisville 40206
Sponsored by Capitol Solutions
Madisonville, Kentucky – Thursday, October 16, 2025
More information is coming soon!
St. Louis, Missouri – Monday, October 20, 2025
More information is coming soon!
Hopkinsville, Kentucky – Thursday, October 23, 2025
Hopkinsville-Christian County Human Rights Commission Unity Breakfast
