Woman Creates Scholarship for MSU Regional Campus

Shirley Trail Lanier, a graduate of Paducah Community College and Murray State University has established an annual scholarship for students pursuing a Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree at Murray State's regional campus in Paducah.

The Shirley Trail Lanier Scholarship will award $1,000 annually to students, with preference given to communication students, but all integrated students on the Paducah campus are eligible and encouraged to apply.

“The Bachelor of Integrated Studies program is a unique degree completion program for returning adult students,” said Dan Lavit, executive director of the Center for Adult and Regional Education at Murray State. “Students are able to select their emphasis from many areas of study, use prior college credit and even possibly turn work experience into credit. This scholarship is a wonderful opportunity for adult learners to stay in Paducah and finish their degrees at Murray State."

Lanier earned an Associate Degree from PCC in 1986, she joined the first cohort of students in Murray State’s integrated studies program and pursued an emphasis in organizational communication. She ultimately graduated magna cum laude in 1996. She retired from USEC in Paducah after 26 years, then worked at Jackson Purchase Energy before forming her own company, Lanier Strategies. She currently serves as a certified chaplain for Baptist Health Paducah and as a substitute teacher for Paducah Public Schools. 

She created the scholarship in honor of her grandchildren - Elizabeth, William and Emma Lanier - and to leave a legacy demonstrating her love for the community and her commitment to education and lifelong learning.

“As a working mother who put myself through school, I was extremely interested in completing a bachelor’s degree when the Murray State integrated studies degree opportunity came knocking,” Lanier said. “Earning my bachelor’s degree has been a gateway to greater success in my professional world in addition to improving my marketability and financial stability."

Visit murraystate.edu/bis to learn more about the Bachelor of Integrated Studies program. For more information about the Shirley Trail Lanier Scholarship, visit murraystate.edu/scholarships .