MSU Opens New Paducah Campus

Murray State University unveiled their new Paducah Regional Campus Tuesday, with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Crisp Center, near I-24 exit 7.

The campus has been in the works for several years, and replaces the current building at 3000 Irvin Cobb Drive.

MSU Interim President Dr. Tim Miller spoke to the crowd in the atrium, and said it's a wonderful day in the state of Kentucky for higher education because of the facility. He said it was the result of a true partnership between the university, the city of Paducah, McCracken County, Paducah Economic Development, the Chamber of Commerce, WKCTC, former MSU President Randy Dunn, and many others.

Miller introduced the Board of Regents, thanking them for the leadership and guidance, including Susan Guess, who spoke next. Guess thanked local government officials, business leaders, and others who were involved in the project, and attended the celebration.

Guess said it was a day she would always remember.

"Today, we begin a new era of higher education in Paducah. Today we usher in a new beginning for both Paducah-McCracken County and Murray State University. Today, we give students from all across this region a new opportunity that did not exist before this moment," Guess said.

She said this project showed what could be done when a community is creative, persistent, and brave. She said there were some who could not see the day, but those who hoped and believed have witnessed dramatic change, and will continue to see change in students whose future is defined by a college education.

The building was designed by Peck, Flannery, Gream and Warren, built by A and K Construction, and engineered by Bacon, Farmer, Workman and Marcum Engineering.

Miller said donors have given almost 1.5 million to provide furniture, fixtures, and scholarships at the campus. He thanked those who gave, and mentioned a scholarship endowment that allows donors to buy engraved bricks for Legacy Plaza near the entrance. Each brick is $1,000, which can be paid over five years.

Dr. Constantine Curris, Chairman of the MSU Board of Regents, chronicled the historical significance of higher education since the Civil War, noting Abraham Lincoln, who said spoke of, "the people's right to rise." He also quoted former MSU Vice-President Tom Hogancamp, who often said, "Victory has many fathers, defeat is an orphan."

"Today we are celebrating a victory, and despite some naysayers, rumormongers, and even a chicken little or two, the Paducah Regional Education Center is here, it's open, and the dreams of many are coming true," Curris said.

He said Tuesday is a celebration of universities that are committed to the region they serve by providing advanced education opportunities to those who can't travel to the main campus, and also promoting economic development with civic leaders, to bring regional prosperity.

Lee Crisp, President of Pepsi Mid-America, spoke on behalf of his family, who  contributed a significant amount to the project, and the building bears the name of his grandfather, Harry Lee Crisp, who founded Marion Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, which later became Pepsi Mid-America. The building formerly used as the Paducah campus was formerly a Crisp building used for Pepsi.

Crisp said most of his family lives in this area, and many of them have attended Murray State, so, "our roots run deep in this area." He expressed the excitement of his family for the new campus, and noted the overwhelming support of the community for it, evidenced by the crowd of around 200 who attended.

Crisp said, "If this is any indicator of the future of this facility, this is tremendous. Thank you for letting us be a small part of it.".

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the front door, refreshments and  tours of the campus were available.